Idina Menzel, Kristin Chenoweth - Wicked (2003 Original Broadway Cast)
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Free Music Notes for Wicked (2003 Original Broadway Cast)
Free Music Review: were not in kansas anymore!
Hit: 5 Stars
I got this album for christmas, and after hearing it, booked a showing of it. It is spectacular. while some say that songs on here are weak, i disagree. for those who havent seen the show, i'll avoid spoilers.
No one mourns the wicked: starts of with dissonent chords, then moves into a mode of relief. the true song begins with the ozians celebrating the death of Elphaba A.K.A the witch. Galinda (not yet glinda)arives and asks the major question of the show: "are people really wicked?" we then see the witches birth, and her fathers hatred of her. this song reminds me of 'At the end of the day" from les miz.
Dear old shiz: a nice choral number with the students. the whole shizzzzzzzz thing is sneering at Elphaba.
The wizard and i: this is Elphabas big number. Menzels vocal power is amazing. mme. morrible, played by carole shelly has a small part in this song.
What is this feeling:a great song. stephan schwartz's humor is evident in this number.
Something bad: this number introduces the Animal problem.
Dancing through life: this is one of the best songs in the show. it introduces Fiyero, and introduces the different relationships i.e. Boq and nessarose, glinda and Fiyero, Elphaba and the hat.
Popular: glindas big number.
i'm not that girl: a sweet number.
One short day: Elphaba and Glinda visit the emerald city.
Sentimental man: one of the supposedly "weak" numbers. it introduces the wizard as we know him.
Defying gravity: the best song in the show. both Menzel and chenoweth both display their singing chops in this act closer.
Thank goodness: a good ensamble number. Glinda has a great part in the middle of this song.
Wonderful: another supposedly "weak" number. joel grey realy hams this song up.
As long as your mine: an excellent duet between Fiyero and Elphaba. one of my favorite numbers.
No good deed: Elphabas turning point. she decides to become truly wicked.
March of the witch hunters:
For good: a sentimental song, which serves as the climax of the musical.
Finale: the closing number, which goes from "for good" to "No one mourns the wicked."
the album will be hard to follow for people who haven't seen the show, or read the book. most people wont get the Animal storyline or the wizards story. i highly advise seeing the show.
Free Music Review: Wickedly Amazing
Hit: 5 Stars
Seeing as I have been a big fan of "The Wizard of Oz" since childhood I was delighted when I read that a musical was being made about what happened "before Dorothy dropped into" the land of Oz. At the time I found this out the show was still in pre-Broadway tryouts in San Francisco and there was no CD yet but I found out there was a book. I promptly read Gregory Maguire's fascinating novel and liked it very much. However, "Wicked the musical" is not the novel, though I think it still gracefully captures all the important themes from the book. I don't know why there are some people who are irritated by that fact when Gregory Maguire himself is pleased with the musical. I purchased the CD the day it came out. I don't usually do that without hearing at least one thing from it but seeing as I knew I loved the story and have been a big fan of Stephen Schwartz for many years I figured that I probably wouldn't be disappointed. I was right, the cd was ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS. And like many others I was irritated that there was no plot summary in it, though having read the book I could deduce from the songs themselves what was going on. I then saw "Wicked" on Broadway the first weekend in January and it was one of the absolute best broadway musicals I have ever seen (and trust me I have seen quite a few) I recommend it highly, I plan on going again. Once you see it you will understand why there are no liner notes in the cd.
Back to the CD, the music is absolutely fantastic, there is something for everyone. I have had the cd for over a month and it has yet to leave my CD player, everytime I listen to it I have a new favorite song. As so many have said "Defying Gravity" is by far the best number...it's just the kind of song that gives you goosebumps because it has a greater message than just furthering the plot. Kristin Chenoweth is absolutely hysterical she nails the part of Glinda, not to mention that her voice just soars in this role. However, the real sensation in "Wicked" is Idina Menzel as Elphaba, The Wicked Witch of the West. Her voice is profoundly amazing...and if you think she sounds fabulous on the CD you should hear her live, that is especially the case with "No Good Deed". The harmonies are also amazing in this score, from the chorus right up to the two leads.
In short "Wicked" is a triumph and I can't wait for Tony time.
Free Music Review: The Newest Broadway Smash
Hit: 5 Stars
The best testimonial to casting directors is when you hear an actor sing/play a role and you can't imagine anyone else in those shoes. Idina Menzel (famous for her innovation as Maureen in Rent) and Kristin Chenowith (Tony Award winner for You're A Good Man Charlie Brown) shine in this musical version of the book by Gregory Maguire. A fascinating and original spin on a familiar story line with characters we have always known--Wicked chronicles the life and times of Elphaba (the first syllables in L. Frank Baum--the author of the Oz Adventures) who becomes the Wicked Witch of the West and Galinda, who becomes Glinda, the Good Witch of the North.
The story begins during a celebration marking the death of the Wicked Witch of the West. Glinda is there with the revelers who cry "No One Mourns the Wicked." Glinda attempts to offer some perspective to Elphaba's troubled life and we hear her birth and her parents' horror--she's green. Someone from the celebrants asks Glinda if it's true that she used to be friends with Elphaba--and the story begins.
We find out, through a series of fantastic songs, that Galinda and Elphaba were roommates in college at Shizz University. Galinda, the popular, cheerleader type, is instantly loved by her classmates, while Elphaba, brooding and intelligent, is rejected because she's green. Eventually, Galinda and Elphaba become friends, but Elphaba has a secret. She's got magical powers that interest the Wizard. However, Elphaba also discovers that the Wizard is a fraud. I will leave the rest for you to discern. Unfortunately, the songs only tell part of the story. There are some unanswered questions that can only be resolved by reading the novel, the Book of the Musical, or seeing the show.
The songs are singable and the lyrics are brilliant. Leave it to Stephen Schwartz. Idina Menzel's voice provides a powerful foundation for the rest of the cast beginning with "The Wizard and I" and ending with "No Good Deed." "For Good" is a deeply emotional song that will touch a chord with anyone. The beautiful harmonies throughout this album also bring goosebumps every time I listen. Norbert Leo Butz as Fiyero also deserves mention--while only in 2 songs, his rich sound will leave you wishing you heard more of him.
If you're a fan of musicals, pick this one up. It's sure to win some Tonys this year!
Free Music Review: Get ready to defy gravity!
Hit: 5 Stars
This CD should come with a warning label. It's that addicting. One listen leads to another and another after that and... You get the point.
I have been a fan of musicals since I was little, so I was excited when I heard that the book "Wicked" (which I have read and enjoyed) was being turned into one. While I haven't had the privilege of actually seeing the play, the soundtrack has become a fixture in my CD player.
When I got the soundtrack, I noticed that it was missing a summary of the musical, so, I went online and found one to help me fill in the gaps between the songs. Doing this really helped me appreciate the songs a lot more. Without the knowledge of what's going on, the soundtrack can sound a little random and confusing.
When you know the story behind the songs, each listen feels like an emotional roller coaster. During the first half of the CD, you travel from the morbidly celebratory "No One Mourns the Wicked" to the hopeful "The Wizard and I" to the perkily humorous "Popular" to the wonderfully uplifting "Defying Gravity." From there, you find the wistful "Thank Goodness," the satirical "Wonderful," the wicked (I couldn't resist..) "No Good Deed," and the heartbreaking "For Good."
The songs mentioned above are the highlights for me, but the other songs are also likeable or, at least, serve a purporse. "Dear Old Shiz" sounds like the most pointless song on the CD, but it's a good transition between scenes. "What Is This Feeling?" provides more than a few chuckles and is a good showcase for all involved. "Something Bad" helps to push the plot along in a painless way. "Dancing Through Life" gives the minor characters their chance to shine. "I'm Not That Girl" and its reprise allow the leading ladies to sing delicate, understated ballads. "One Short Day" is an upbeat, if somewhat generic song. "A Sentimental Man" is one of the shorter songs on the CD and, in my opinion, should have been longer. "As Long As You're Mine" steps up as the requisite love ballad. It's sweet, but one of the blander songs on the soundtrack. "March of the Witch Hunters" is a good, mob song that helps drive the story to its conclusion. Finally, the "Finale" serves the purpose of wrapping everything up in a way that will leave you with a lump in your throat.
Free Music Review: A "Wonderful" Album for a Spectacular Musical
Hit: 5 Stars
Ever since seeing Ana Gasteyer in the role of Elphaba in Chicago (as well as Kristy Cates later-both of them superb), Wicked has become something of an obsession for me. Though I can't help but take issue with some of the more "Disney-fied" aspects of the adaption from the book (which I have read, and love), the musical still gives you something to think about, along with having absolutely spectacular music.
The original cast recording is an excellent purchase for anyone who has seen Wicked anywhere, at any time, along with those who have not ever seen the musical-it is easy enough to decipher the plot from the tracks alone (although I do wish that they had included the music for "The Wicked Witch of the East"; Nessa's short song during Boq's transformation). The album showcase's the original stars at their absolute best- though it is hard to find a performance of Kristen Chenoweth as anything but. I have yet to see a G(a)linda who can top her performance, or her vocal versatility, as demonstrated in her operatic solos in "No One Mourns the Wicked" and her bombastic and comedic "Popular". However, Idina Menzel's powerful and uplifting voice in "The Wizard and I", and the ending to "Defying Gravity" is seldom heard better than here- those having seen her struggle through her Tony performance will understand. I personally prefer her on the album than live.
Overall, the album is very well composed, with thoughtful editing that manages some of the longer numbers well. As much as I may miss some of the material not included in the songs, such as Galinda's entrance in "No One Mourns the Wicked" and her response to the opening question in "Dear Old Shiz", along with the more visual moments of "Dancing Through Life", as well as (spoiler) Elphaba's triumphant reunion with Fiyero in the "Finale", (I'm sorry, I'd be perfectly happy reliving every moment), the editing was well done, and accurately presents the entire two and a half hour musical in limited space.
This is a must for any Broadway-lover's collection, as well as for any music lover. I would recommend this album to anyone, along with seeing the actual musical which, as great as the album is, will always be many times better live- no matter who is in what role.