Myths & Hymns

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 6/25/05 at 7:42pm

I just got this CD and I dunno how they do it but Nonesuch package their CDs so nice. They're so upscale. Anyways, I was wondering if that is actually Adam Guettel singing on the Cd. More specifically "Hero & Leander."

[alwy15]

Posted: 6/25/05 at 7:44pm

yes

[broadway betty]

Posted: 6/25/05 at 11:53pm

I love that he sings 6 songs on this cd. NOt only does Adam Guettel write the most beautiful music but he can sing too! And, yes, Nonesuch does a great job with the packaging. Do you have Piazza and Floyd Collins, too? Three of the best cds you'll ever buy, not kidding!

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 6/26/05 at 2:08am

Well, I almost bought Floyd Collins, but I just dont think i would like it. I haven't heard a song from it that just grabbed me. I heard "hero and leander" because I was going to sing it for a voice class. Is it good? And yeah, he can sing so good, he should really try doing a show.

[zoran912]

Posted: 6/26/05 at 2:14am

I enjoy his voice for his music. He doesn't exactly have the typical broadway voice, or even my preferred voice for his music. I wonder what Hero and Leander would sound like sung by...say...Matthew Morrison for one. I enjoy a more classical sound. Billy Porter would also be really exciting for that song. I love Guettel's voice on Icarus. It's so perfect for that.

I love that CD. The music. The voices (for the most part). The packaging.

[Blair]

Posted: 6/26/05 at 4:15am

It's wierd, out of all of the track on that CD, all of the professional voices, I love Adam's voice on the songs the most. His voice is different and beautiful, and there's just something so special about a composer singing their own songs, especially when he's a great singer.

"Hero and Leander" is stunning.

[jasonf]

Posted: 6/26/05 at 11:50am

It's been said a lot of times that there's nothing quite like hearing a songwriter singing their own songs. At least Guettel has a good voice. As huge a fan I am of Sondheim, beyond the curiosity level, I won't be listening to him singing his own songs over the cast recordings again any time soon!

And to the person who asked about Floyd Collins - it's brilliant. Get it.

[broadway betty]

Posted: 6/26/05 at 11:58am

You must get Floyd Collins,(totally agreeing with jasonf)it's brilliant! I had to get used to the different sound when I first listened to it but once I did, I fell in love with it. Adam Guettel has fast become my favorite composer/lyricist.

I find myself playing Adam's tracks more than the other ones on Myths and Hymns, he doesn't have a typical Bway voice but I love it anyway. Even his Piazza demos are getting serious play on my mp3 player. Adam Guettel is a gift.

[Chip1012]

Posted: 6/26/05 at 12:28pm

Give Floyd some time

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 6/26/05 at 1:55pm

I'll prob. get it since I don't have any Cast Recordings i'm dying to buy and no new shows open until the fall.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 6/26/05 at 11:50pm

I just got done listening to "Icarus" from Myths & Hymns and the lyrics are terrible. I mean I like Guettel's work and all but the lyrics on this song are just bad. For example: "I like to navigate in the nude..." I know that this is a true statement, but I would think you could state it much more poetic. Anyways, I havnet' listen to the rest of the songs, I stopped at "Pegasus." I just got the Spelling Bee CD so I have to switch back and forth and I really like BEE so its hard to stop listening to it.

[Ourtime992]

Posted: 6/27/05 at 12:07am

"Icarus" is profoundly autobiographical. Guettel uses the myth of Icarus to reflect on his own insecurity and worries that he will never achieve the success of his grandfather. He toys with the idea of flying beyond him, of being greater than he was, only to realize that the mere thought is enough to burn him alive.

The lyrics, where sort of silly, are an indication of his lack of maturity, which he is fully acknowledging. In the end he sees himself, like Icarus, reaching for too much and plunging to his own death.

To appreciate the themes of Myths and Hymns, you've really got to be able to put the pieces into context. He opens and closes the song cycle with a reflection on his life (and his age, as Saturn "returns" every 29 years, which was his age when he began composing it). Each song is a reflection on life, maturity, success, fame, love, and the price of spirituality. It obviously went way over your head.

[zoran912]

Posted: 6/27/05 at 12:11am

"Pegasus" is probably my favorite track on the entire CD. Its message is so true. People argue with eachother over misfortunes caused by no one other than fate. People blame eachother for everything. The Gadfly's commentary in that song is so perfect, not to mention the fact that the role is sung by Audra McDonald.

[Chip1012]

Posted: 6/27/05 at 12:12am

RentBoy - your analysis of lyrics is pathetic. Give it up.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 6/27/05 at 12:19am

Why are you all bitches? I'm just stating a simple observation. It is still a "silly" lyric. I'm sure there are plenty of lyrics you guys hate as well. Jeez...calm down. You'd think I kill somebody.

[zoran912]

Posted: 6/27/05 at 12:25am

Don't worry. You're cool. You have to realize that you are walking on really thin ice whenever you slander the works of Adam Guettel. He's sort of like God around this place, which you should look at as a church.

[broadway betty]

Posted: 6/27/05 at 12:56am

Ourtime- I love your icon, I love your posts, I love you! I've been on a Guettel high for weeks now, just playing these three cds over and over, sometimes just taking in the beauty. It's so nice to have a pro here to give some perspective.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 6/27/05 at 1:00pm

Yeah I'm not saying I don't like him. I mean i love Piazza, a lot more than I thought I would. and Myths and Hymns for the most part is alright. I mean I've heard better, but "hero and leander" is amazing. I haven't listend to the rest of the cast recording yet.

[soulman83]

Posted: 6/28/05 at 6:21pm

adam guettel is my god...until jason robert brown comes back with something new. but still, adam is sooooooooooooooo beyond amazing and touching and heartbreaking and his voice is unbelievable. i still truly think pegasus and AWAITING YOU are two amazing songs! ohadn my friend sung migratory V and its simply beautiful.

[flaemmchen]

Posted: 6/29/05 at 2:49am

I can't recommend Floyd Collins enough. I'm not a huge fan of country anything, but I fell in love with this score from the very first listen and have been a huge Guettel fan ever since. For most people, though, Adam Guettel is an acquired taste, and I'd recommend listening to his book musicals (Piazza and Floyd Collins) before listening to Myths and Hymns, which is more of a song cycle and may be slightly difficult to understand and follow, conceptually.

Updated On: 6/29/05 at 02:49 AM