Company - A Musical Comedy (1970 Original Broadway Cast)
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Free Music Notes for Company - A Musical Comedy (1970 Original Broadway Cast)
Free Music Review: Even in a slightly uneven show, Sondheim's genius shines
Hit: 5 Stars
Company may not have the complex music or unusual rhyme schemes of Sondheim's later works, but it still is incredible in its own right based on several choice songs. Another Hundred People and Getting Married Today are both absolutely brilliant, and each show one of Sondheim's great trademarks (lightning fast moving lyrics and thought provoking observations). Both rendetions of Being Alive are great. For me, the slight edge goes to Dean Jones. I don't mind his wavering voice (in fact, I think it works in this song) and the sheer angst he conveys is remakrable. The fact he was having a nervous breakdown in real life when this recording was done probably helped that. However, most impressive of all is The Ladies who Lunch. Sondheim's lyrics and music are fantastic, and Elaine Stritch (who is also very funny in the charming "The Little Things you Do") manages to be cynical, funny and gut wrenching at the exact same time. This is one of those great Sondheim performances, alongside Mandy Patintkin's "Putting it Together" and Bernadette Peter's "The Last Midnight". There are problems here, though. The Tick-tock dance number is wasted as we...well...don't get the dance; and the song that comes directly after that, Barcelona, is dull and poorly sung by Dean Jones. There's also the fact that the booklet doesn't come with lyrics, which is absolutely ridiculous. I had to type out the lyrics to Another Hundred People and Being Alive so I could learn them. Still, an exceptional recording with lots of great songs and a few choice brilliant ones that make it all worthwhile.Free Music Review: what's the fuss
Hit: 2 Stars
I'm an avid fan of musical theatre and a college theatre major and, frankly I do not understand why people are so in love with this musical. I found it to be dated and a chore to listen to. While most performances are good there are a number of actors in this show who have voices that are almost painfull to listen to. They screech and cut through the rest of the voices. Sondheims other work i really enjoy and I found myself disappointed by this muscial that many call "genius." what am i missing?Free Music Review: Companny one of Sondheim's greatest
Hit: 5 Stars
I started listening to Sondheim at 15 when I fell in love with INto To the Woods and as I got older i bought more Sondheim CD's and Company has to be one of my favoirtes, it's lead character, Robert is an amazing well written real character he is played suberly by Dean Jones who's BEING ALVIE which is quite possbily the greatest song written for theater is brillant. Besides the wonderful song, there are other great numbers the opening number is fast and exciting yet opens up he feel for Robert being surroned by married people and being alone. Company is with out a quetion one the best musicals ever to come out. It's defintaly in sondheim's top three(FOLLIES and ASSASSINS being the others) but i'm not sure which order to put them in.Free Music Review: Underrated Musical? You Bet!
Hit: 4 Stars
I own this album, and the revival cast album as well. They are both fabulous in their own right. Although this version does not have "Marry Me a Little" which is a gem sung by Boyd Gaines on the revival, this original cast "fits" the style of the show better. They are not supposed to be outstanding vocalists (although they do hold their own.) This show requires each character to be a vocal stylist, and that is accomplished beautifully here. Also, for anyone really paying attention, the lyrics in this original version refer to a "fag," whereas the more PC 90'd lyrics were changed to "gay." Hmmm. I'm not sure that was necessary, but apparently someone thought it was.Free Music Review: -1 star for Dean Jones
Hit: 4 Stars
What a fantastic show-- it screams retro-Seventies, but in a very good, very fun way. The British-invasionish electric guitar and cheez-o-matic keyboards added to the traditional orchestra are PERFECT. Sondheim's classic form, with amazing lyrics, acerbically funny and with pathos without getting too oppresively dark and weird as in some later works. As you listen to the wonderfully inventive songs, you'll recognize the voices (that guy from Murphy Brown! Vera from "Alice"! Brooke Shields' Nana from "Suddenly Susan"!) and realize that some actors you are familiar with are far more talented than they get a chance to show on TV. However... if only they had replaced Jones before the cast album- his voice spreads at the top and becomes extremely unpleasant and wobbly. What a pity, since Robert's 2 big numbers are some of the best that Sondheim ever wrote for a male voice. Still- the rest of the cast carry the day: especially Stritch who is (all justified theatre-queen shouts of "FABULOUS!" aside)truly remarkable- so very funny, so memorable and so much better at selling a song than just about anyone (including people with much better voices). Highly recommended.