My Thoughts on....the Spring Awakening Album — Page 4

e-mail to Decca

On your new release of Spring Awakening you have Tom Deckman credited as the cast character "Hanschen". That is not correct. Jonathan B. Wright is Hanschen and it is his voice on the release. Mr Deckman has no connection to the musical at all.


Below is the e-mail response recieved from Decca. Sounds like there on it.


The replacement of Jonathan B. Wright's name with that of someone not connected to SPRING AWAKENING is an unfortunate error. We are correcting that mistake as quickly as possible. I have been in touch with Mr. Wright and have extended our sincere apologies to him. An effort to release the cast recording of SPRING AWAKENING quickly regrettably resulted in inaccuracies such as this one.

We are making every effort to insure that this does not happen again, and we greatly appreciate your taking the time to write and bringing the matter to our attention.

Many thanks and all best,

Sincerely

Brian Drutman
Senior Director, Decca Broadway

Would anyone be interested in taking the time to point out the parts (if any) when Skylar Astin can be heard on the recording? I've read several assertions that his is the best voice in the show. Thanks!

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Just know that while he sounds fantastic on the recording, he's better live. I was floored by his voice, and I kept wishing he had more to sing.

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I agree, he has one of those live voices that is just plain chill inducing.

I have a feeling (and a hope) we'll be hearing from him for a while.

Touch Me is my favorite song on that album... Skylar rocks.

[MORITZ]
Still, you must admit, with the two anatomies, it truly is daunting, I mean how everything might…

[MELCHIOR]
Measure up?

[MORITZ]
…Not that I’m saying I wouldn't, I wouldn't want to not, would ever not want to.

[MELCHIOR]
Moritz?

[MORITZ]
I have to go.

[MELCHIOR]
Moritz wait!

It's a great recording, not really Broadway type, but that is just fine.
The voices and orchestrations are the best.
Unfortunately after several listenings the lyrics are just not up to the music, but it doesn't stop me from enjoying it too much.
And Jonathon Wright has a lawsuit on his hands.

"My Junk" is such a catchy song I love it
Also, I really didn't care for "I Don't Do Saddness/Blue Wind", but now I can't stop listening to it! I especially love at the end when Lauren and John sing together
But still, the best on the recording is "The Song of Purple Summer". That has been on repeat on my computer, and its up to a little over 60 times my listening to it :)

OK...so I saw the show at the Atlantic. I was blown away by the music. So I got the cast recording on Tuesday. I guess I have listened to it at least 15 times since I purchased it. I love it....but....it is lacking a bit of the live edge that I remember. But again, it still is edgy. I love the extra instruments. I really need to see it again on Broadway. I need to hear the voices live again.

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Updated On: 12/15/06 at 01:15 AM

It just seems to me that, since the album was recorded with each person singing separately, (meaning they couldnt hear each other) that a lot of it is OFF, esp "My Junk" and the "Mama Who Bore Me" reprise. And that it's missing a lot of the raw energy that makes the show so special.

I agree with that; I didn't think of why it might be, but your reasoning totally makes sense. It does seem to be missing the energy that comes inherently when they sing in a group on stage, though.

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I just finished my first listen, and while I think it has some really good songs, it just doesn't really do anything for me. I feel like I'm listening to a bunch of songs that are well-written, but don't really lift me in any way emotionally and after a while, all the pensive ballads just seem to weigh it down. The more upbeat driving numbers have some nice energy, but it's like they never really take off. They just sort of reach a plateau early on, reamin somewhat static and fizzle out at the end. The CD is nice, but I think I would appreciate it much more if I saw the show. I'll give a few more listens and see if it starts to grow on me.

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Yes I think a few lyrics are printed wrong. And for some reason I like my pictures in the order of the songs in the booklet. I also expected more from the synopsis. It leaves a lot out. But the CD has grown on me and I have been listening to it most of the day. (I went NUTS over the music live when I saw it. I even walked up to Mr. Sater and Mr. Sheik at the Atlantic and praised the score to the high heavens) I think for anyone who has listened to it, can't get into it but likes the music, you need to see the show. I think all of the songs are good on their own, but I think you will enjoy and appreciate them more after you see how they are presented onstage. Yes it does sound a bit "softer" on CD, but it is still wonderful music! JMO

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I've listened to this 2x and really enjoy it. Not having seen the show, I wish the liner notes were more helpful (i.e. a better synopsis of the show and who is actually singing what lyric). Since this is not traditional theatre music it is difficult to follow the sequence of events and experience the storytelling. The cast sounds FANTASTIC! It does sound very tee-angsty and captures it without seeming too whiny. The score is impressive across the board and I didn't feel there were any weak numbers or performances. I imagine lots of this would be pretty exciting on stage. I am hopeful that this will add a much needed creative spark to the Broadway landscape.