re: Emily and Alice Concert on CD

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 11/24/06 at 8:38pm

Dec 19th per Playbill.com on Kritzerland Records.

"Emily Skinner and Alice Ripley: Raw at Town Hall - Kritzerland - Dec. 19"

http://www.playbill.com/celebritybuzz/article/100011.html

[SweMozArt]

Posted: 11/24/06 at 9:13pm

Here is a link to a legal soundbite of the song "You have to be there", from the CD, which is provided on the record company's own website. It's from Benny and Björns musical Kristina which might immigrate to the states in the coming years. The lyrics have been translated by Björn together with Herbert Kretzmer and John Weidman.

http://www.kritzerland.com/audio/YouHaveToBeThere.html

Here is a link to all the soundbites from the CD:

http://www.kritzerland.com/EA.html





Updated On: 11/24/06 at 09:13 PM

[SweMozArt]

Posted: 11/25/06 at 11:26am

It would be interesting to hear what some BWW:s think about the song and the english lyrics. I find the english lyrics to be perhaps somewhat rigid compared to the original swedish lyrics. I think it's possible to polish them a bit more. Granted it's difficult to equal original lyrics while staying not only close to the subject but also close to the original words and metaphors. Im also making my judgement only from this soundbite and a soundbite of another song which is not on this cd (and sung by Helen Sjöholm). I definetely feel vibes of Les Miserables when i hear the English version of this song. Great melody and good lyrics that perhaps though consist of "too many words",. I shall add that i admire Kretzmer for many of his lyrics in Les Miserables and especially for his english lyrics to the Aznavour song "she".

The singer is doing a very good job and has a great voice but compared to Helen Sjöholm who originated the role, she comes off as somewhat too self assured for the role. I dont like her sort of comedic delivery of the words "until today". I think it's partly a question of age. The best age for this role is 25-30. Obviously it's also a question of the character of the singer, which should be very humble, and modest yet feminine and angelic (helen sjöholm). Ripley's voice is great but it's hard to equal Helen Sjöholms voice especially for this role. Now don't get me wrong it's a great delivery but i'm comparing it to the golden standard.

And it's not like we have good singers growing from trees in Sweden. They are few and far in between but we have been blessed by at least two great musical singers (Helen Sjöholm and Tommy Körberg) who have happened to fit their original roles in Benny Anderssons two original musicals perfectly.

http://www.kritzerland.com/audio/YouHaveToBeThere.html
Updated On: 11/25/06 at 11:26 AM

[SweMozArt]

Posted: 11/25/06 at 2:26pm

Here is a link to legal soundbites from the original cast recording in Swedish. The song "You must be there" is named "Du måste finnas". Unfortunately the soundbites are only 28 seconds

Recommended songs? Pretty much the whole score, although it has a couple of songs that don't stack up to the rest. But "Du måste finnas", "Duvemåla Hage", "Guldet blev till sand", "Hemma", "Ljusa kvällar om våren", "Här har du mig igen", "Var hör vi hemma and "Gott Bevar" are some stand outs. The last song "I gott bevar" is a real tear jerker, though perhaps not as much in its 28 second incarnation.

One possible critique against the score is that it contains to many cute melancholy songs. Kristina is a nostalgic melancholy character and since they chose her as the main character for the musical a lot of the songs become like that. I wish that they will develop the story in America, perhaps by enlarging the roles of the children. That could make it a more light forward looking story even though the main story about Kristina would be kept.




http://music.barnesandnoble.com/search/product.asp?z=y&sv=free&EAN=7393896610112&itm=3



Updated On: 11/25/06 at 02:26 PM

[All_For_Laura]

Posted: 11/25/06 at 2:52pm

Cannot Wait! I was there and its so nice to hear!