Why does nobody like Wildhorn? — Page 2

Hmmm... I decided I disliked Wildhorn after to listening to several of his scores before I ever came on a message board. I didn't need the influence of the online community to tell me he can write 94 pop ballads and nothing else interesting.

Interestingly enough, some people come to conclusions on their own and THAT'S why they become popular ideas.

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It's not Frank's fault that the original Broadway cast of Dracula didn't get to record an album. Frank wanted them to record and actively searched for a record label, but there was no label willing to finance and the producers of the show did not want to spend any more money. It's not like the Broadway cast had some clause in their contracts stating that they'd get to record an album and then Frank turned around and dishonored an agreement. It was his score and his decision and the only people hurt were the cast members and fans with a total misguided sense of self-righteousness and no clue as to how the industry works and how much money stood to be lost if they just magically got their way.

Group Therapy Session: (remember all things shared here, stay here)

"Vienna"... I forgot about "Vienna"... one of the best pop songs I've heard in the Celine Dion vein. Diane Warren's got nothing on "Vienna". Linda's solo material is occassionally brilliant. Her Broadway album is the best though, and there's little to no Frank on that.

And "Bells of St.Paul's" is my favorite Christmas song behind Loesser's "Baby, It's Cold Outside!" and Sondheim's "I Remember (Christmas)". Love the classics, but it ain't Christmas witout those 3 songs for me.

One day at a time...

P

Maybe in future group therapy sessions you can practice just speaking for yourself, Mr. Matt.

Ha! Perhaps I will, but I would invite philly03, Pgenre and PB to join us. Oh, I know there are a few out there who probably genuinely dislike his music and call him a hack for whatever reason they feel is justified, just as there are those who really are immature faddists. I just assumed you knew that just as I assume you're aware of immature faddists in abundance on BWW. My bad. You're totally right. I shouldn't make such assumptions.

Kudos to GoSmileLaughCryClap, a mere "faddist" wouldn't come up with something so devastatingly perfect and original as that!

I agree! Thank you GoSmileLaughCryClap for giving us a truly intelligent and creative opinion. I disagree with your opinion on the whole as I believe Wildhorn has some gorgeous, memorable and at times beautifully complex melodies, but I love your analogy.

Sondheim is to Wildhorn as Le Cirque is to McDonald's. While most people love a fast food burger, gourmands prefer a fine French meal.

Oh, for God's sake. This is the sort of thing I was talking about. And Sondheim's written his share of crap. I'll take Scarlet Pimpernel (the first version) over the Goodman production of Bounce or The Frogs any day of the week.

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Updated On: 8/7/09 at 12:45 PM

Not to get sucked into this too deeply...but generally speaking (and I think it's best for me to take that stand), I think people just want to take sides on this "Wildhorn" issue because Frank is not a "middle of the ground" creator or person. He takes chances. He's bold. He's controversial. He's imperfect.
He makes no bones about his passion for writing and supporting his family. My experience is that he is a very nice person to sit down with and discuss theater and a little bit of life with.

It's as if some folks gotta take a stand with/against his work...for some self proclamation purpose, for lack of a better term, I guess. Some people love/loathe ALW too.

I enjoy some but not all of his work. BUT I am grateful that he has given so many of my friends work over the years. I know him through those who have worked with him. That's all I can say.

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Updated On: 8/10/09 at 03:21 PM