Alain Boublil - Miss Saigon (Original 1989 London Cast)
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Free Music Notes for Miss Saigon (Original 1989 London Cast)
Free Music Review: The "Original" Version is better than what's on Broadway
Hit: 5 Stars
I have seen "Miss Saigon" twice and have come to the definite conclusion that I like the "original" story contained on this two-disc set a lot more than I like the revised version I have seen on stage. The genesis for this Alain Boubil and Claude-Michel Schonberg musical was two-fold, the well known Puccini opera "Madame Butterfly" (the main theme of which sounds briefly in the Finale and a haunting photograph of a Vietnamese woman seeing her daughter for the last time before the child goes to America to live with her ex-GI father (the photo is included in the libretto). In performance the return has been to the Puccini story line, where the woman kills herself BECAUSE her American lover has taken her child away. However, I maintain that what you have in this version is much more powerful: Kim kills herself to FORCE Chris and his wife to take Tam to the United States. In this latter context Kim's song "I'd Give My Life For You" makes sense and is more powerful. The change also resulted in an awkward and almost complete revision of Ellen's big solo number "Her or Me," which also loses a great deal of power. Fortunately, that song survives on this disc. Vocally the women stand out much stronger than the men, from Lea Salonga's exquisite performance throughout ("I'd Give My Life for You", "The Revelation"), to Clare Moore's impassioned duet and solo work ("I Still Believe" and "Her or Me"), to the chorus of bar girls ("The Movie in My Mind"). The male singers are surely adequate, but not especially memorable, except of course for Jonathan Pryce's star turn as the Engineer ("The American Dream"). My favorite pieces in the show tend to be the duets: Kim and Chris in "The Last Night of the World," Kim and Ellen in "I Still Believe," Kim and John in "Please." Emotionally the show contains more punch than the more celebrated "Les Miserable" by Boubill and Schonberg, made all the more effective because of the way a key chunk of the story (how Kim and Chris got seprated during "The Fall of Saigon") is not revealed until Act 2 when it comes in between the soaring optimism of Kim finding out Chris is in Bangkok ("Please") and the shattering revelation of his marriage to Ellen ("Room 317"). Even without seeing the famous helicopter scene on stage, this is an emotionally draining sequence of songs. "Miss Saigon" is closing on Broadway soon, but even if you never get to see it on stage, just listening to it will still give you chills and drive you to tears.
Free Music Review: Another Masterpiece from Boublil and Schonberg
Hit: 5 Stars
When I purchased this album, I doubted it would be anywhere neard as good as Boublil and Schonberg's previous hit, Les Miserables. However, I am glad to report that I was incorrect. This show has it all-touching music, interesting twists in the plot, and its characters have depth and feeling. The performers are beyond reproach. Lea Solanga, of course, was wonderful as Kim. Her voice, sad at some times, joyful at others, and even angry now and then, fits the character perfectly. Simon Bowman, while his voice is a little on the nasal side, is quite a singer. I especially like his "Why God, Why?" Jonathan Pryce, while his singing voice is not as good as some of the other cast members, makes up for it with his acting. I can almost picture the sleezy look on the Engineer's greasy face when I listen to him sing "The American Dream." Claire Moore has the same nasal-voice problem that Simon Bowman has-otherwise, her singing is excellent. She, like Lea Solanga, is able to make her voice fit any mood necessary-angry, sympathetic, worried, etc. Keith Burns as John wasn't too bad either-his version of Bui Doi is especially powerful. (It's enough to make a person run away with the Peace Corps) And I really wish they would have more songs with Thuy on here-he's got a low, evil voice which is great for the character of Thuy.
The only real problem I have with the cast is that they all sound like they are singing through their noses. Still, they can't be blamed-the British seem to have the idea that we Americans all talk like greasy used car salesmen.
The songs on here are incredible-the Fall of Saigon sequence has me on the edge of my seat every time, even though I know perfectly well how it will end. Thuy's song, What's This I Find, gives me the heebie-jeebies (that's a good thing, not a bad one, since he's the villain and all) The Finale makes me cry every time-and I'm not the kind of person who will cry over just anything. My favorite song would probably be "Please", with Kim and John.
Fair warning-it has some pretty foul language. This is especially true in "The Heat is on in Saigon." Of course, this is to be expected from a bunch of lonely soldiers, but just to let you know.
All in all, I'd have to say that this is one of my all time favorite musicals. I have no doubt that it will still be selling in ten or twenty years. It is a worthy way to spend your thirty dollars
Free Music Review: OUTSTANDING!
Hit: 5 Stars
This is a CD to treasure it's passionate, personal,sad, beautiful, and it will even give you chills. From peppy upbeat songs (The Heat is on In saigon, The American Dream), to stunning ensemble numbers (This is The Hour, The Fall of Saigon) to beautiful forein language songs (The Ceremony)and stirring Ballads (Why God?, I'd give my Life for you, Now that I've seen her)Each song brings something new and amazing! Jonathon Pryce is pitch-perfect in the portrayal of the Engineer the Sleazy pimp, the fixer. He is at times hilarious, and at sometimes Pitiful (but the American Dream is his showstopping number!)LEA SALONGA IS Kim!!! There's not another actress who could be better! Her words are so true, honest, and beautiful (her voice soars in i'd give my life for you, and you can feel her pain in Sacred Bird)even though she's only an actress, she makes you feel so much for Kim, that you wanna rush out and save her! she is brilliant! Simon Bowman (Chris) is very good (but can't match Lea) sometimes he sounds sounds like he's overacting, but his perfect amazing redition of Why God is one of the best numbers of the show, but you can feel his pain in the finale. Claire Moore(Ellen) gives a performance to be admired, she holds all the emotion of meeting Kim, to herself, but has to give in and express her pain (in her absolutely stunning rendition of Now that I've seen her). Sometimes the role of Ellen can come off as mean, but She brings humanity, suffering and a great deal of kindness to her role. Peter Polycarpou is great as activist John. He is real! Bui doi, is a very good number for him to sing out his considerable stuff! I especailly like his quite, but painfully torn duet with Kim in Please. Keith Burns (Thuy) doesn't do much, but has a good voice, and is a believable creep, who had it comin'! The Bar Girls, and the Ensemble are very good too! Other Great Numbers Include: The Last Nite of The World, Sun and Moon, The Morning of the Dragon, I Still Believe and the Movie in My mind! This is like a movie in your Mind! I can sum this CD up in 3 words: a-Maz-Ing!
Free Music Review: Don't Pass This Up
Hit: 5 Stars
Easily the most touching and beautiful recording of Miss Saigon ever. Lea Salonga is infallible as Kim - the emotional strength and innocent hope she portrays leaves her voice etched in one's mind. Simon Bowman is amazing as Chris..."Why, God, Why?" is one of the most beautiful tracks. Peter Polycarpou's rendition of "Bui-Doi" is probably my favorite track...it never fails to bring tears to my eyes. Jonathan Pryce is the epitome of sleazy business...sorta reminds me of Joel Grey's 'Emcee' from Cabaret...hah. Except sometimes, after hearing about his life, you can pity him. Claire Moore's duet with Salonga ("I Still Believe") is heartbreaking, especially since we know that Chris has since married, but Kim still believes he'll return...
Keith Burns is a convincing Thuy. His voice brings character with it, and fits absolutely perfectely in "What's This I Find?" Also, his counterpoint with Salonga in "This Is The Hour" can easily send chills up your spine, same as Salonga and Polycarpou's duet in "Please".
Other Notable Tracks - "The Morning of the Dragon" is a very strong track, I personally think its one of the best. "The American Dream" makes a wonderful mockery of our system...its absolutely ingeneous. "Sun and Moon" is gorgeous, as is "Last Night Of The World"...and "The Sacred Bird" never fails to bring me to tears. I also love "The Telephone Song", Polycarpou also shines in this one.
I could go on and on...
In fact, this isn't a single track on this CD that isn't good.
One Warning, though...some of these tracks have some pretty foul language, especially "The Heat Is On In Saigon", however, that doesn't change the fact that its a great song :P
So to sum it up:
DON'T PASS UP THIS RECORDING!!!
Free Music Review: As good as a musical gets
Hit: 5 Stars
This was the follow-up by the same folks that brought us "Les Miserables". They are both superb pieces of work. I've seen both productions live several times and have listened to both soundtracks beyond counting. While nobody is asking for a competition of the two, I like "Miss Saigon" better. This is one of those works where I would have no problem putting it on continuous play, and then letting the machine keep starting over once it ends. This is a story that grabs you from the beginning and holds you there until the final number. Every character is three dimensional and not some musical stereotype.
The songs are superb. Like "Les Miserables", they seem at home with the folks who's profession is to tantalize the "legitimate" population with promises of uncomplicated sexual encounters. Most of the characters are either working in a b-girl dive or are the soldiers they service. The songs are crafted to show that there is a lot of pain on both sides, and even though none of them are perfect, you at least get to sympathize with one doing with the cards they have been dealt in life.
But where it excels is that is takes what would probably be a five-star musical to begin with, and add a lot of well-done social conscience to the story. Yes, we've heard a lot about the tragedy of Vietnam in many forms. But this one concentrates on one seldom heard issue, which is the thousands of babies with American soldier fathers left behind once we withdrew from the country. To pull off such a serious subject that your average theatre-goer would want to see and succeed so spectacularly puts this one in six-star territory.