GODSPELL Digital New Cast Recording Release Date?- Page 2

[HBP]

Posted: 12/21/11 at 1:11am

i have no interest in seeing the show. because it looks awful. but the samples in the itunes store sound beautiful.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 12/21/11 at 6:08am

It's a mixed bag. I like some of it a lot, and some not so much. I agee that Parish's voice sounds stonge here then it did in SA, but still its nothing amazing -- but enjoyable.

I don't like the 'techno' sounds that pops up all of a sudden and I wish the band sounded fuller.


I didnt' get to see this although I had a ticket: it was that freak Oct snowstorm. Sure I MIGHT be able to post date it, but I'm from out of town and don't like not having my shows planned.

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 12/21/11 at 11:40am

Nowhere near as offensive as that 2001 national tour recording in terms of "techno." The only song here that uses a lot of effects is "Turn Back O Man."

It should be noted that this recording features the new music Schwartz wrote for "Learn Your Lessons Well" as well as "Beautiful City" interpolated into the Finale.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 12/21/11 at 6:01pm

I think the Wicked reference during "Turn Back, O Man" is a bit over the top and out of place on the recording. If it were a live recording I think it would be fine, but faux audience interaction on a studio recording sounds a bit awkward.

[gvendo2005]

Posted: 12/21/11 at 6:17pm

Then you'd hate "Turn Back, O Man" on almost any Godspell recording, really.

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 12/21/11 at 11:13pm

Well, then it's good they didn't include the Circle in the Square reference after "I'm going to the front of the theatre" (because there is no front of the theatre).

[dramamama611]

Posted: 12/22/11 at 4:02am

Turn Back is the song I am most unhappy with. It's not the vocals at all, but the wording, the tempo, thee overal sound.

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 12/22/11 at 9:09am

I think it's one of the more successful updates to the song. Alex Lacamoire's arrangement for the 2001 national tour was horrendous. It sounds like bad 70s porn music.

I will always love the rawness and simplicity of the original recordings/charts. As far as new arrangements go, I think they did a great job here. It translates well to disc.

[DMsquared2]

Posted: 1/3/12 at 3:03pm

So growing up I was OBSESSED with Godspell. I have a scrapbook of sorts that could be a director’s prompt book for the show. Seriously.

So here are my thoughts on the new cast album.

1. Tower of Babble

One of my favorite songs. Strange but true. I’m assuming this number is all concept in this production because by itself I hated it!

2. Prepare Ye

Great. The cast sounds excellent. No complaints.

3. Save the People

Loved it. Hunter Parrish sounds the best in this song.

4. Day by Day

Anna Marie Perez de Tagle has a beautiful voice but I really don’t like it. The new vocal arrangements are too much. This song should’ve been left as is.

5. Learn Your Lessons Well

I like the ukelele and new orchestrations. Celisse Henderson sells the song! Musicalizing “The lamp of the body is the eye …” dialogue doesn’t work for me. Otherwise it’s great. It’s pretty similar to the 2000 Off-Broadway recording.

6. Bless the Lord

The new orchestrations for “Bless the Lord” are excellent! This is my favorite song in the entire show and it’s great. Lindsey Mendez doesn’t wow me like Shoshana Bean did in the 2000 Off-Broadoway recording but she’s still very solid.

7. All for the Best

Great. Hunter Parrish sounds a little weak here though.

8. All Good Gifts

EXCELLENT! Telly Leung is perfect!

9. Light of the World

Love it! The guitar is awesome!

10. Turn Back, O Man

Ew. Too much! Way too much! Morgan James sounds great but this number is just overdone. The Wicked pun is cheap.

11. Alas for You

It’s OK.

12. By My Side

Undoubtedly my second favorite song in the show. Also just OK. Uzo Aduba’s voice isn’t really right for the song.

13. We Beseech Thee

Good. Nick Blaemire’s voice sounds a little too much like it belongs in American Idiot though.

14. Beautiful City

Perfect. I like the idea of this song used here like it was in the 2000 Off-Broadway revival.

15. On the Willows

Sounds great. Again I like the idea of the Judas character singing this like in the 2000 Off-Broadway revival.

16. Finale

Great! I love the addition of “Beautiful City” at the end.

Overall, this is a pretty good recording. It’s definitely better than the 2001 Tour album and shines better in some numbers than the 2000 Off-Broadway Revival album. Having listened to what they did with the score I’m much more interested now in seeing this production although I don’t think I’ll get to.