Side Show-- Should I Buy It?

[Schmerg_The_Impaler]

Posted: 1/7/09 at 7:58pm

I have enough money left on my iTunes account for one more album. I was thinking of buying "Side Show," because I absolutely love so many of the cast members-- I mean, Norm Lewis, Hugh Panaro, and Alice Ripley all on one cast recording?

However, I've heard mixed things about the show, and listening to the thirty-second samples on iTunes, I'm not sold-- it sounds rather cheesy, and I don't love the lyrics. Do you think I should go for it?

To give you an idea about the kind of music I like (not very high-brow, I'm afraid), I love Les Miserables, Scarlet Pimpernel, Sweeney Todd, Fiddler on the Roof, Disney musicals (sorry!), Spamalot, Guys and Dolls, Phantom of the Opera, and Evita. I just bought "Ragtime" today and I absolutely adore it.

[Pianolin717]

Posted: 1/7/09 at 8:00pm

I got it and rarely listen to ALL of it, but I know that I LOOOOVE Come Look At The Freaks, I Will Never Leave You, and Who Will Love Me As I Am, so if anything get those!

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 1/7/09 at 8:05pm

The lyrics are often clunky and the plot is not the most appealing, but the music is great.

I wouldn't only get a few songs, tbh--you might lose context for some of the songs.

[Byron Abens]

Posted: 1/7/09 at 8:06pm

I have to agree. I love the show, but it is kind of bookended with a really great opening, and great power ballads for the end of each act. The stuff in between runs the gamut from really good to really cheesy. For me the power of the piece was in the actual performances and seeing them onstage, and later working on one of the early regional productions. I'm not sure I would have fallen in love with it quite so easily just from the cast recording, and I know many people who haven't.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 1/7/09 at 8:06pm

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

There are many gems and TUNNEL IF LOVE is worth the price alone.
I think I had an orgasm the first time I heard it in the Theatre.

[jaystarr]

Posted: 1/7/09 at 8:09pm

Definitely! Everyone should be exposed to Henry Krieger's music. I was lucky enough to see the Original Run on Broadway and its one thing that I will treasure!

J*

[LadyRosecoe]

Posted: 1/7/09 at 8:11pm

Especially Krieger's Romantic Poetry. I wish that was available on recording

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 1/7/09 at 8:14pm

I only bought Side Show for "Marry Me, Terry." I wasn't looking forward to listening to the whole thing, but the minute I heard the opening I knew that I was in for something good.

I adore "Tunnel of Love." But my favorite will always be "Private Conversation"... or "You Should be Loved." It's probably a tie.

[feline0favenueQ]

Posted: 1/7/09 at 8:17pm

I would go for it! All or nothing though, don't just buy a few, they won't be worth it. ;30 clips don't to the music justice.

[Reginald Tresilian]

Posted: 1/7/09 at 8:21pm

Schmerg, I'd say go for it. It's deeply flawed, but there's some amazing stuff in it.

The two big numbers, "Who Will Love Me" and "I Will Never Leave You," are SPECTACULAR, but there's some great moments tucked into even songs and scenes I don't particularly like.

And Alice and Emily are worthy of your $$.

[sally1112]

Posted: 1/7/09 at 8:24pm

Ok, yes, buy it. You can't own every cast recording ever made until you start buying every cast recording ever made.

I don't listen to this one all the time, but every time I do, I enjoy it, and wonder why I don't listen to it more often.

[Scott Briefer]

Posted: 1/7/09 at 8:25pm

I love the score and listen to it often.

[Schmerg_The_Impaler]

Posted: 1/7/09 at 9:18pm

Thank you so much for your lovely advice! I'm convinced now-- because so many posters with different music preferences all recommended it. And... Sally's reason was what did it.

I'll post back with how I liked the CD once I give it a listen.

[GlindatheGood22]

Posted: 1/7/09 at 9:30pm

The big ballads are great, but I also like some of the shorter, lesser-known numbers. I love Leave Me Alone and We Share Everything. :)

[laura is broadway]

Posted: 1/7/09 at 10:35pm

A little off topic, but Schmerg have you heard Miss Saigon? Based on your musical preferences, it seems like a score you would really love. And I feel like I read in another thread that you hadn't heard it..... It's a good score, you should check it out whilst you're buying recordings :)

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 1/7/09 at 10:38pm

Miss Saigon is and ever shall be my favorite musical ever. I've seen it twice, and each time I was absolutely blown away.

Even if it might lower my street cred within the MT community.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 1/7/09 at 10:58pm

Hey, I like Cats and Dracula. I think I'm lower than you.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 1/7/09 at 11:26pm

BUY IT! BUY IT!

[laura is broadway]

Posted: 1/8/09 at 9:08pm

Aww I don't think Miss Saigon lowers it that much.. I mean there are worse things. I really do enjoy both Miss Saigon and Les Mis... and I tend to like more sophisticated shows.

I think they're the best of their genre, both better than most Webber shows.

[Schmerg_The_Impaler]

Posted: 1/8/09 at 9:11pm

Well, I bought it, and I've listened it straight through twice. For the most part, I really love it-- BUT, the lyrics are so distractingly bad that they're almost painful sometimes. However, that's just one little aspect. There were a few songs I could've done without, though it's probably just because I'm not that fond of the vaudeville aspect of things.

Okay, so the cast is fantastic. Everyone has so much personality and emotion in their voices, and I loved the vocal contrast between Jeff McCarthy's deep, rich voice and Hugh Panaro's high, chirpy voice. I feel ashamed to say this, though, but the weakest link for me is Emily Skinner. She is a great singer and actress and so perfect for the role of Daisy, but I just feel like something about the way she pronounces her words and slides off of notes when she sings is just a little bit irritating.

My favourite songs on the CD are "The Devil You Know," "Who Will Love Me As I Am," "Private Conversation," "You Should Be Loved," "Tunnel of Love," and, though it's super-cheesy, "I Will Never Leave You." This is one musical that really gets me emotional, definitely not just something you listen to calmly.

I have a question, though. What is Jake's deal? I know he plays the Cannibal King, but what is his 'affliction' that bothers Violet? I seriously doubt that he's actually a cannibal...

Anyway, thanks SO much for convincing me to buy this CD! It's a great addition to my collection.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 1/8/09 at 9:25pm

Schmerg ~ Let me put it this way... He was played by Norm Lewis (and not in a color-blind casting kind of thing). Think about the time in which the show was set.

It's his race.

Updated On: 1/8/09 at 09:25 PM

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 1/8/09 at 9:28pm

Schmerg! You forgot the most important question! Do you hear the similarities between "Who Will Love Me as I Am?" and "For Good"?
Updated On: 1/8/09 at 09:28 PM

[Schmerg_The_Impaler]

Posted: 1/8/09 at 9:36pm

Jordangirl-- DUDE! How did I not even think of that? Hahaha, I was trying to think of some kind of complex problem revealed in subtext or something. I guess it was his use of the word 'affliction' that threw me off.

CATS-- YES! That was the first thing I thought when I heard the first two lines of the song. I like "Who Will Love Me As I Am" more, though.

[jaystarr]

Posted: 1/8/09 at 9:38pm

okay to enjoy more...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NX8VVljroIU

[jordangirl]

Posted: 1/8/09 at 9:39pm

Hee. It's ok Schmerg! I think it's a good sign that "affliction" throws people off regarding that now. Hopefully in the future other things some consider an "affliction" will not be so anymore either. :)