Unexpected Songs: The Lesser Known Tunes of ALW - Feb. 21 - Cast Inside! — Page 2

The Beautiful Game is probably the saddest musical written by Andrew Lloyd Webber or anybody else.

It uses ostensibly as the backdrop the sport of soccer which is called in the world as "the beautiful game" ( not so sure, but I think it was Brazilian sports hero Pele who coined the phrase) - as it starts with young men from Ireland being involved in the game. As they grow up the bleak future that faces them including the sectarian violence in Ireland, becomes the underlying theme of the show. The show becomes the story of how they come to grips with the religious, political, and economic issues of the day.

The musical is very poignant and touches the heart, especially songs like OUR KIND OF LOVE and GOD'S OWN COUNTRY. An OCR was released of the show and the music evokes the heavy and sad themes of the show.

When I left the theatre after seeing it, I have never felt my heart so heavy after seeing a musical.

Thanks Jo for the summary of The Beautiful Game. Was there ever a production in New York? I'll look into getting the OCR. Thanks again.

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<< "The Heart is Slow to Learn" sung by Kiri Te Kanawa was originally meant for the sequel to PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. Unfortunately, Andrew Lloyd Webber seems to have put that project on hold or whatever. >>


I would say FORTUNATELY ALW cancelled the sequal. He must have read the book, The Phantom of Manhattan, by Frederick Forsyth on which it was to be based. The book quickly went to the remainder tables, where I think it belonged, and Forsyth went back to writing thrillers.

Slightly OT, but does anyone else have a hard time believing that Andrew Lloyd Webber wrote the music for "Tire Tracks and Broken Hearts" in WHISTLE DOWN THE WIND?

It's quintessential Jim Steinman music, and not only unlike anything else in the score, it's unlike anything else Webber has ever written. It bears remarkable similarities to both "Holding Out for a Hero" and "Rebel Without a Clue," two classic Steinman songs.

Either Webber was consciously emulating Steinman for that track (which is possible), or Steinman wrote it (which seems more likely to me).

Does anyone have any inside scoop?

Updated On: 1/17/05 at 02:59 AM

You're right, Eric, "Kiss is a Terrible Thing to Waste" is another classic Steinman riff.

It doesn't surprise me that journalists didn't catch onto it, however. None of them realized that "We Can't Stop the Beat" from HAIRSPRAY is really a thinly-disguised "River Deep, Mountain High" either. Or that "Without Love" is really "Your Love Keeps Lifting Me (Higher and Higher)".

Actually Tire Tracks/Broken Hearts is a note to note rip from another ALW song called English Girls from Song and Dance. Only the rhythm and lyric are different. The tune is the same.

Adam Chris, you're totally right, "Tire Tracks" and "English Girls" ARE the same melody. It looks like Webber did write it. Thanks for pointing it out.

Updated On: 1/18/05 at 11:39 PM

I stand by Kiss is a Terribel Thing being part Steinman though--listen to it next to one of his epics like Objects in the Rearview

E

Because it is a BroadwayWorld.com production. :) Hope you can all make it!

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Will this be taped or recorded? I hope so.

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AND Jessica Grove!!



bgs luvs him some machota and Grove.. among others

I LOVE that cd!!!!!!

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Rob, Eddie...

I drink screwdrivers, please have them lined up for me that night. K'thx.

Cheers to discovering ALW.

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