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: One of the Greatest Shows of ALL TIME!
Hit: 5 Stars
I think I can safely say this is the greatest musical of this generation, so far. The music in this CD is amazing! Once you see the play it means so much more. Every song is amazing and although the track "The Wicked Witch of the East" didn't make the album (even though the CD is only 71 minutes, it would've fit) it's still stands high as one of my top 25 favorite albums ever! I can listen to every song without skipping. The greatest tracks include the Fiyero/Scarecrow spell-bound song "No Good Deed," a personal favorite of mine, "Dancing Through Life" and "Popular," the most vibrant tracks on the album and most pop-friendly, and a little song just before intermission called "Defying Gravity."
Let me take a minute to reflect on the perfection that is "Defying Gravity." There's a reason why the song's title is the slogan of the damn play. The power in that song is enough to trample any army, any being (other than God), any mountain. Speaking of God, the song, in it's own, it's a religious experience. I can say it's the greatest song of all time (at least to me and that means something). Idina is truly flawless in this song. When the bridge hits ("so if you care to find me...") you feel a sensation you might never have felt before. The message in the song is also a major point in how great the song is. You can take it as the play offers it or apply it to yourself. The song is about personal strength and overcoming ANY obstacle no matter how big it may be. Giving the people who try to break you or make you compromise your own values the big "F*** YOU!" Elphaba shows that she's MUCH more powerful than any obstacle because she believes in herself. And that's worth all the money in the world.
So watch the play if you have the means because it sure helps make the album so much more special & actually more understandable. But if you're just looking for great music from an outstanding musical that encompasses all forms of emotion (sadness, revenge, excitement, regret, anger, hate and love) this album is a definite must-own.
Top 5 songs on the album:
(11/10) "Defying Gravity"
(10/10) "No Good Deed"
(10/10) "Dancing Through Life"
(10/10) "For Good"
(10/10) "The Wizard And I"
Free Music Review: One of the greatest musicals of all time...
Hit: 5 Stars
I think I can safely say this is the greatest musical of this generation, so far. The music in this CD is amazing! Once you see the play it means so much more. Every song is amazing and although the track "The Wicked Witch of the East" didn't make the album (even though the CD is only 71 minutes, it would've fit) it's still stands high as one of my top 25 favorite albums ever! I can listen to every song without skipping. The greatest tracks include the Fiyero/Scarecrow spell-bound song "No Good Deed," a personal favorite of mine, "Dancing Through Life" and "Popular," the most vibrant tracks on the album and most pop-friendly, and a little song just before intermission called "Defying Gravity."
Let me take a minute to reflect on the perfection that is "Defying Gravity." There's a reason why the song's title is the slogan of the damn play. The power in that song is enough to trample any army, any being (other than God), any mountain. Speaking of God, the song, in it's own, it's a religious experience. I can say it's the greatest song of all time (at least to me and that means something). Idina is truly flawless in this song. When the bridge hits ("so if you care to find me...") you feel a sensation you might never have felt before. The message in the song is also a major point in how great the song is. You can take it as the play offers it or apply it to yourself. The song is about personal strength and overcoming ANY obstacle no matter how big it may be. Giving the people who try to break you or make you compromise your own values the big "F*** YOU!" Elphaba shows that she's MUCH more powerful than any obstacle because she believes in herself. And that's worth all the money in the world.
So watch the play if you have the means because it sure helps make the album so much more special & actually more understandable. But if you're just looking for great music from an outstanding musical that encompasses all forms of emotion (sadness, revenge, excitement, regret, anger, hate and love) this album is a definite must-own.
Top 5 songs on the album:
(11/10) "Defying Gravity"
(10/10) "The Wizard And I"
(10/10) "Dancing Through Life"
(10/10) "One Short Day"
(10/10) "For Good"
Free Music Review: How anyone can hate this is beyond me
Hit: 5 Stars
From the opening note of overture in Wicked, I knew I'd be seeing one amazing show. And I did. In fact, the only times I was bored during the production was when the wizard sang--his 2 songs are bland, pointless, and dull (I feel like they were added just because he was a main character and needed material).
Some people gave this CD one star. I've heard some people say this show is stupid unless you're under age eleven. That makes me laugh out loud, because at times this play can be very complex and political. The songs are undeniably catchy, no matter how old you are. And anyone who has seen the Wizard of Oz will enjoy matching up each respective character in Wicked. And even though the stories do not mesh perfectly all the time (example: why would the wicked witch keep throwing fire at the scarecrow if he was her lover?), Wicked still has a brilliant storyline.
Another complaint I often hear: "Why did they have to change Wicked so much from the book??" "They shouldn't have changed the ending!" "It's a disgrace to the novel!" Blah, blah, BLAH! Those whiny losers who keep griping about that really get on my nerves (no offense). Since I have not read the novel myself, I can make no personal comments. But I can say this much: one of my best friends read the book and saw the play. He now believes the book sucked in comparison. My cousin: read the book and liked it, heard Wicked's soundtrack and loved it. I told him the general storyline, and he kept laughing at all the changes. But he said he was sure the play was great, and he really enjoyed listening to the music.
Once more, I am telling you that this show is a great piece of work. Everyone involved should be proud of it. And the music is excellent! There are the fun songs, such as "Popular," "What Is This Feeling," and "Dancing Through Life"; the poignant ones, "No One Mourns The Wicked," "I'm Not That Girl," "No Good Deed," and "For Good." And what CD is complete without the boring, skip-every-time songs?? Namely, the wizard's!! ("I Am A Sentimental Man"--or something like that, I don't even know what it's called--and the never-ending "Wonderful"). But, crappy songs aside, the rest is really a masterpiece.
Free Music Review: Obviously only for the Tasteful
Hit: 5 Stars
Reading through this page's reviews, one is very shocked: while most of the reviewers love the show, story, and music, it is unusual how so very few dislike it: One reviewer in especially puts down the power ballads of the show: this reviewer obviously has no tastes: the longest running shows on Broadway, and the best and most respected, all have power ballads: "Rent" has "Over The Moon," "Take Me Or Leave Me," "Another Day," "I'll Cover You," and countless others. "Les Miserables" has "Stars," "I Dreamed A Dream," "Red And Black," "Do You Hear The People Sing," and countless others. And Broadway's respected past is filled with power ballads: "Far From The Home I Love," from "Fiddler on the Roof," "Some People," from "Gypsy," "Take Me As I Am" from "Jekyll and Hyde," and the list goes on and on. So, to the reviewer who spoke out against the power ballads: I don't think Broadway is really for you.But on to "Wicked." In recent years, there has been something of a Broadway Rennaissance, shortly after "Rent," as a matter of fact, of shows which seem as though they will actually last a decade or more, much as the shows of the sixties and seventies: "Thoroughly Modern Millie" and "Nine" are just two examples. And now "Wicked." The show is a phenomenon, with extravagent sets and costumes, which manages to have campiness and appeal in combination better than any show since "The Rocky Horror Show."
As for the score and cast album, the musical is excellent, and the voices do more than justice. Menzel is brilliant in her broad, loud, strong power ballads, and Chenowith adds bubbly soprano, light and free, just bursting in to operatic broadness when least expected and most required. And, 40 years after "Cabaret," Joel Grey can still steal the hearts of audiences, as does this whole blessed show. And the CD is a brilliant representation of the brilliant combination of storyline, campiness, sentimentalism, and genius which is "Wicked."
Free Music Review: Can you say amazing?
Hit: 5 Stars
Here's my opinion on these songs:
1. No One Mourns the Wicked - though Kristen Chenoweth is credited with this one, the entire ensemble makes it strong. Catchy.
2. Dear Old Shiz - though vocally strong, it's kind of boring. If you listen to the lyrics, they're funny.
3. The Wizard and I - easily one of the best songs on the album. Also funny.
4. What Is This Feeling? - often overlooked, but excellent. Again, the ensemble completes the song led by two excellent leads.
5. Something Bad - means a lot. Brings out a lot of the politicalness of Wicked the book.
6. Dancing Through Life - fun, has a great mood. Almost all of the leads perform in this one. And they are great.
7. Popular - this is the first song I heard before I saw the show. It's so cute. And it is Galinda's personality (that's not a typo). Chenoweth is so strong.
8. I'm Not That Girl - it makes you feel for Elphaba. Uses quite a range.
9. One Short Day - extremely catchy. Chenoweth, Menzel, and ensemble really perform.
10. A Sentimental Man - the Wizard is one talented guy.
11. Defying Gravity - IF YOU ARE GOING TO LISTEN TO ONE SONG FROM THIS MUSICAL, THEN THIS IS IT. 'Nuff said. Idina Menzel, I bow down to you. The curtain falls on Act I with everyone smiling and looking to their friends saying, "Wow!"
12. Thank Goodness - Chenoweth leads the ensemble again in this big Act II opener.
13. Wonderful - cute. Again, the Wizard sings this catchy tune.
14. I'm Not That Girl (Reprise) - brings out the heartbreak in the story.
15. As Long As You're Mine - stong. Powerful. Romantic.
16. No Good Deed - such an amazing solo. And I love the language of the Grimmerie.
17. March of the Witch Hunter - important to the plot and fun. Ties the Wizard of Oz story up.
18. For Good - If you've seen the show, you remember this one. It made everyone I know cry. And I can relate to it.
19. Finale (Wicked) - I was still drying my tears during this one. But it ends the story on one amazing high note (literally and figuratively).
I'm obsessed, I know. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS ALBUM.