POLL: Do You Care About Kritzerland's Release of Sugar?- Page 2

[twinbelters]

Posted: 9/7/10 at 3:30pm

I was being tongue in cheek because I've mentioned in this thread and another that the Tommy Steele version was my introduction to the score, and perhaps not the best way to become familiar with it. (That means it stinks!)

Updated On: 9/7/10 at 03:30 PM

[newintown]

Posted: 9/7/10 at 3:31pm

Thanks, Bruce, I read the press release. Apologies for using "remaster" in place of "remix."

I love your work, past and present. I was only trying to say that I'm still thinking about whether I want 2 more discs of Sugar for better sound (or even remarkably better sound).

I adore Jule Styne, everything he wrote, including this show.

But Bob Merrill... what an odd career. He could write great lyrics (Funny Girl), really good music & lyrics (Carnival), and then really not-so-good music & lyrics (Take Me Along, Breakfast At Tiffany's - both of which have things to like, but much more that I find problematic). And things like Henry Sweet Henry, which is at times amazingly fun, but also full of clunkers (what 15-year old girl in 1968 would dream of Charles Boyer?).

And it's Bob Merrill's work that makes me shy of Sugar. Songs that could be good ideas don't seem to come to fruition ("We Could Be Close," "November Song"). And why does the final song have almost nothing to do with the main story? It's like that old "Walla Walla Boola" number from Coward's invented Coconut Girl musical. I feel that the musicalisation boat got missed when they adapted this terrific movie into a less-than-terrific musical (like Sunset Boulevard - another Wilder work that wasn't done right by the theatre world).

I wouldn't dream of insulting you or your excellent work, Bruce, but I was honestly answering the question asked by the OP.

[once a month]

Posted: 9/7/10 at 3:39pm

Sorry to say...NO. I purchased the new Promises CD and was underwhelmed. Perhaps I just can't hear the difference with my untrained 55 year old ears. Do I need a new BOSE system?

[bk]

Posted: 9/7/10 at 3:53pm

If you can't hear the difference in the Promises remix you need new ears :) Perhaps you only listened to CD 1? The pitch alone is a major difference, and the difference in the placement of the instruments, especially the strings, which are now correctly on the left, should be instantly apparent.

You are the first, the one and only person who was "underwhelmed". We haven't even had anyone be whelmed - overwhelmed, yes.

So, perhaps a new system or new speakers, if you can't afford new ears :)
Updated On: 9/7/10 at 03:53 PM

[bk]

Posted: 9/7/10 at 3:59pm

newintown - Merrill's lyrics for Sugar are interesting on many levels. I'm a fan of his from way back - really love his music AND lyrics for Take Me Along and Carnival. As a solo lyricist (working with Styne) he was never quite as good as he was when doing his own music with them - but I have a CD here of the entire show from the B'way production (presumably one of those soundboard things) and his lyrics for this show, whatever one may think of them, get huge laughs. You can certainly argue the craft - no question - but they kind of do their job in terms of audience. And I'll tell you what has become one of my favorites in the score - in our new mix, of course - It's Always Love.

But I understand your problems with these lyrics, certainly. Styne, on the other hand, was a genius.

[tazber]

Posted: 9/7/10 at 4:08pm

God how I love "It's Always Love". I must say the first time I heard it I was very surprised.

"Funny" in City Of Angels has always reminded me of "It's Always Love".

[Almira]

Posted: 9/7/10 at 4:13pm

Of the creative team Styne is the only true bullseye fit for the material.

I think he even had experience as a musician in 20's era speakeasies.

[After Eight]

Posted: 9/7/10 at 4:34pm

I agree with Bruce: I love both the music and lyrics to "Take Me Along" and "Carnival." "Staying Young" from the former is very profound; so too "I've Got to Find a Reason" from "Carnival." I also like "New Girl in Town."

As for "Sugar," Bruce is right. Those comic songs registered huge laughs in the theatre, especially the line in "We Could Be Close," "I've got something even more surprising." I had very good time at that show.

I think Bob Merrill was a better composer and lyricist than he is given credit for.

[bk]

Posted: 9/8/10 at 1:12am

I agree with After Eight - oh, he's agreeing with me. We are, then, in agreement. It's amazing to me how people who don't like the book or the score post as if their opinions are the only one of merit and it's almost like they speak in absolutes for everyone - someone on All That Chat did that this evening - pretty amusing. An opinion is an opinion - some are informed, some aren't, but in the end it's all horse racing.

[wonderwaiter]

Posted: 9/8/10 at 1:25am

"An opinion is an opinion - some are informed, some aren't, but in the end it's all horse racing."

That's one thing that has always amused me about these boards. I like far more than I dislike, and I can enjoy BAD just as much as I enjoy good, for what it is. If I don't personally care for something, I don't pursue it any further and that's that. I might make a wry remark here or there, but I don't understand the ability to ACTIVELY HATE a show, and I don't understand the mindset behind hating a show enough to follow it from thread to thread badmouthing it. And yet, that seems to happen over and over again around here.

[newintown]

Posted: 9/8/10 at 9:42am

But wonderwaiter, I think the reverse happens as well, doesn't it? - someone who loves a show enough to follow it from thread to thread rhapsodizing over it.

It is all opinion, sometimes well-informed, sometimes less so. But we can't precede every evaluative statement with "I think" or "In my opinion," can we?

And it seems that those who post both negative opinion as well as positive get the reputation (for some bizarre reason) of ONLY being negative.

Of course, the best posts always make some attempt to explain their opinion, negative or positive - but those are more rare than posts from people who just say either "It's great!" or "It's crap!"

I remember when I was teaching college freshmen - I would always ask, "Why did you like (or dislike) it?," and usually receiving blank stares and stammered incoherent responses. It was a semester's work to encourage people to actually THINK about their responses. Happily, those who learned how to do it really took to thinking and expressing themselves more cogently.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 9/8/10 at 12:51pm

I might make a wry remark here or there, but I don't understand the ability to ACTIVELY HATE a show, and I don't understand the mindset behind hating a show enough to follow it from thread to thread badmouthing it.

Because some people need to adopt the "mean girl" mentality in order to validate themselves. Others do it purely for provocation and folly. Then there are those who use it as a defining trademark or signature as if the subject at hand is something of a very personal offense (which it usually isn't at all). This is usually qualified by the use of absolutes (most, worst, never, etc.) and the attitude that other opinions simply do not exist. When asked to expand on their opinions, explanations are often subjective, but spoken as if objective.

...I think the reverse happens as well, doesn't it? - someone who loves a show enough to follow it from thread to thread rhapsodizing over it.

Of course it does, but the intent is pointedly different. Sure, it can be annoying, but it's almost never out of a sense of malice.

PS -I ordered my copy of Sugar. Sweet!

Updated On: 9/8/10 at 12:51 PM