Billy Elliot: The Musical (Original Cast Recording)
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Free Music Notes for Billy Elliot: The Musical (Original Cast Recording)
Free Music Review: BOLD...BRILLIANT..AN ABSOLUTE TRIUMPH
Hit: 5 Stars
Could they make a musical of 'Billy Elliot' set in the midlands of England against the back-drop of an increasingly violent coal miners strike? Well they could and they did and it's an absolute triumph. Bold and brilliant character driven songs by Elton John and Lee Hall propel the story of 'Billy Elliot' the young lad who trades his boxing gloves for ballet slippers.
Sung and acted by a terrific ensemble but special notice must be paid to Haydn Gwynne as Mrs Wilkinson, Billys tart-tongued, chain-smoking dance teacher and Liam Mower as Billy Elliot.
From the rousing opening 'THE STARS LOOK DOWN' to the conclusion, the reprise of 'THE LETTER' through snippets of dialogue, music,lyrics and even dance provide a concise narrative of the story as it unfolds.
Mrs Wilkinson has a couple of strong numbers 'SHINE' and 'BORN TO BOOGIE' and she and the ballet class share a 9-minute stunner 'SOLIDARITY' with the picketing miners. Amazingly the two disparate plot themes play off each other beautifully. 'SOLIDARITY' is perhaps the most controversial moment in the show as it is here the miners detonate the F-bomb. The explosion occurs at a well-timed and unexpected moment and jolts just by its sheer audaciousness and ferocity.
Billy shares a bright and breezy number with his cross-dressing friend Michael 'EXPRESSING YOURSELF' which features an exhausting 'chase' dance break. Billy also sings the contents of 'THE LETTER' written to him by his dying mother and he imagines her singing it with him in a lovely and poignant duet.
Then there's the thunderbolt 'ANGRY DANCE' which is a confrontation between Billy and his father and a confrontation between the miners and the police. With Elton Johns pulsating, driving music and Billys floor-pounding dance and yells it's the musical equivelant of riding on an out of control rollercoaster without holding onto the safety bar. It leaves you exhilerated and breathless.
The miners have a lighter moment at a Union Christmas party where they offer a back-handed tribute to their nemesis, 'MERRY CHRISTMAS, MAGGIE THATCHER' and a Merry Christmas is not what they are wishing for her.
'ELECTRICITY' is Billys reply to a question at his Royal Ballet audition "what is it you feel when you are dancing?' and this leads to a dance break which samples a bit of 'Swan Lake' an echo of 'Riverdance' and rock and this heady mix sparks and crackles like....electricity.
There are other gems in this score such as 'GRANDMAS' SONG' 'HE COULD BE A STAR' and 'ONCE WE WERE KINGS' where the victorious miners(not really-their union caves) sing full-throated and loudly as they head back to the mines.
As Billy prepares to leave home he shares a final moment with his 'mother', 'THE LETTER'-reprise and after a choked-up goodbye from his friend Michael the show ends as Billy, suitcase in hand, walks onto a stage toward a bank of stagelights. (This end is depicted in the accompanying booklet)
'THE FINALE' which is the actors bows is unusual as the entire ensemble tap-dances to the musical excerpts from the show.
'Billy Elliot' has to be one of the best if not the best cast recording in many years and no praise from me can do full justice to the brilliance of this enthralling CD. BRAVO!!!
Free Music Review: All hail Sir Elton - please bring "Billy Elliott" to America.
Hit: 5 Stars
My "dear friend" Vene e-mailed frantically - "have you heard the CD of 'Billy Eliott'? it's incredible, you've got to get it." I didn't rush right out, but eventually I got around to buying it. After thirty years I should know to trust whatever Vene says to be gospel, and "Billy Elliott: The Musical" perfectly illustrates this fact once again - it's brilliant.
It's been at least since "A Man of No Importance" (maybe "Ragtime" - both by Flaherty and Ahrens - hmmm) that I've been so moved by a musical theatre piece. Perhaps it's because I adored the film, or because I've always been a huge fan of Elton John and his theatrical pop-rock tunes, or because I'm a just your garden variety musical theatre queen [and proud of it!], but "Billy Elliott: The Musical" has delivered a giant jolt of electricity to my system - leaving me shaken and exhilarated and stirred all at once.
The score by Sir Elton and Lee Hall is nearly flawless, with one great character driven number after another. "The Stars Look Down" is a powerful opening, "Grandma's Song" and "He Could Be a Star" are heart felt, "Solidarity" features a tune that will repeat in your head for days and days. However, the four numbers I found unforgettable were: "Electricty" - which finds Billy trying to explain what he feels when he dances; "The Letter" - an emotionally devastating ballad sung by Billy's dead mother; the absolutely joyous "Expressing Yourself" which partners Billy with his flamboyantly gay friend in a rant and rave against conformity; "Merry Christmas Maggie Thatcher" is a rambunctious, infectious music hall number sung by the ensemble. All of the performances, without exception, are top drawer.
It's no wonder that "Billy Elliott: The Musical" is the biggest smash hit playing in London and has won all of the season's top awards. Please, please, please hurry up and bring it across the pond - I will gladly trek from Tallahassee to Broadway to see the musical of the decade!
Free Music Review: Outstanding, but I'm biased.
Hit: 5 Stars
First, I've seen the musical in London, twice. Both times I travelled from Boston to London for the express purpose of seeing the musical. Stupid, perhaps, but rewarding none the less. While in some respects this is not the best musical soundtrack in the world, I can't imageine anyone who's seen the production even once who won't be delighted and entranced by listening to the soundtrack for the sheer joy of all the memories being brought back to life, remembering what's happening on the stage, and the COMBINATION of the two, might actually BE the most outstanding thing I've ever experienced in theater.
Actually, that fact only impresses me more. For Elton John to have put his "pop" tendancies in his back pocket for a while and actually write music that fits not only to the story of Billy Elliot, but music that fits specific actions, emotions and even the strengths of the particular type of cast that had to be chosen to tell the story, is a great victory, and a stupendous acheivement.
First, I recommend that if you like a) musicals in general or b) the movie "Billy Elliot" you should buck up, bite the bullet, and take a trip to London and see the show. No matter how much you spend, I highly doubt that you'll regret it.
As for the soundtrack itself, well, hell, buy it. Buy two. This will, perhaps, convice the production to move across the pond and grace our own country with this exceptional experience.
Free Music Review: Fantastic Prelude to the Musical
Hit: 5 Stars
While in London earlier this year, I admittedly (and quite wrongly)avoided seeing "Billy Elliot the Musical" while seeing other disappointing West End plays. Even though friends enthusiastically recommended Billy Elliot, I stubborning refused to beleive that a musical could be carried off by a 13-year-old boy.
Geez, was I wrong.
After listening to the cast recording (three listens the 1st day), seeing Elton John's "Electricity" music video, and seeing numerous programs featuring Liam Mower (Young Billy) dancing, I am convinced that once this hits our shores, it will be an absolute smash.
Remember, all the music is by Sir Elton John, and the musical is directed by the same man who directed the movie. Plus, the three boys playing Billy Elliot were the youngest recipients of the Lawrence Olivier award, which I suppose is the equivalent to our Tony.
Don't expect Elton's old music, but expect hearing his exceptional talent. He has also said that Billy in some ways is autobiographical, so the music takes on an additional dimension.
The musical is gritty with obscenities (abeit British obscenties), minimalisitic, fabulous, intense, touching, funny, sad, and energzing. I have my tickets to the Victoria Palace. (PS: It'll help if you understand the Geordie accent...)
I predict that the song "Electricity" will reach #1 on the American charts in 2007/2008 when it's released here.
Free Music Review: Stirring to say the least
Hit: 5 Stars
What a stirring musical! I had heard so much about this musical having seen the film version and knowing a musical adaptation was going to be made. Several people had recommended it after have they had the opportunity to see it on the West End. Also being a huge fan of Elton John, enjoying his pop records as well as his musical ventures, I was really interested in giving this CD a listen...
...and I'm sure glad I did! Again, I'll say it's absolutely stirring. The chorus numbers are probably the most powerful particularly the opening number "The Stars Look Down" which features as a theme several times throughout the score. You can really imagine them filling an entire auditorium.
Liam Mower as Billy has the sweetest most resonating voice. When he sings "The Letter" and his Mum joins in, you are moved to tears. Other great numbers include "Shine" where Haydn Gwynne gives her character of Mrs Wilkinson such a personality. Her voice isn't particularly outstanding but I love her character. It's nice to see characters like Mr Braithwaite being given some personality and filling out Grandma's back story with her own song "Grandma's Song". Other uplifting numbers include "Merry Christmas Maggie Thatcher" and "Expressing Yourself".
There is mild language but it adds to the mood of the piece. All in all thoroughly entertaining and I can't wait for it to come to Sydney in 2008!