Jacques Levy, Steve Margoshes - Fame the Musical (1999 Original American Cast Recording)
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Free Music Notes for Fame the Musical (1999 Original American Cast Recording)
Free Music Review: Learn how to fly! High!
Hit: 4 Stars
Having just finished a high school production of the musical FAME, I have to say that I love this soundtrack (curiously enough, Amazon does not have the London Cast Recording available, which is the one I have and is said to be superior). After nearly three months of rehersal, it's only too easy to be swept away by all the memorable tunes and find yourself singing them from time to time. This is what a good movie/musical soundtrack does, and FAME provides me with some fond memories.However, this CD is not for everyone. I have not seen the movie, so I can not say whether the movie's soundtrack is superior, though in all fairness, it probably is. The Broadway version was toned down; some of the racier issues such as sex and drugs are only hinted at. The music can be catchy, but it doesn't compare with Phantom of the Opera or Les Mis or any of the other top shows. Also, Tyrone's rap is bad. Really bad. Rap is distinctive partly due to its harsh edge, and here Tyrone comes off as a poor parody of a rough street-kid who's seen it all. Finally, by listening to the music, you can not get a sense of what the play is about. FAME contained as much dialogue scenes as it did dance numbers, and a lot of the important story points aren't present on the CD (unlike Phantom of the Opera, where the story is related in song, for example). So you'll hear Serena sing about being like Meryl Streep (an odd choice I never understood, btw), but you won't know what set her off unless you've seen the play. Likewise, you may find yourself wondering why Carmen is singing about LA towards the end.
Still, FAME provides lots of fun. The story felt compressed and simplistic, but the songs are catchy and memorable once you've heard them a few times. The FAME remix for the curtain bows (on the London recording at least) is almost worth the price of the CD by itself. My advice, if you are a serious lover of musicals, would be to go see FAME before getting the CD. Don't think of it as an expensive way to preview the soundtrack; instead, think of the soundtrack as a great way to relive two hours of entertainment. Who knows, you might just learn how to fly and live forever. I did.
Free Music Review: "Fame" the Musical, Not the movie.
Hit: 4 Stars
As Carmen sings, this is not the movie, not the TV show, but the musical.
My son's school put this on 2 weeks ago and I am hung up on it big time. The script noted that this was not the movie, but I rented that and, basically, it was, with a few modifications. I don't have a problem wth that.
OK, so it dealt with "tough issues" differently, but, hey, no one died in the movie. Carmen did. And from an overdose. After being taken avantage of. OK?
I agree with some reviewers that the soundtrack (I have the '03 Broadway one) lets you relive the play. It does not recreate it. I have listened to it every day since I bought it (much to my son's dismay). And frankly, the white Irsih girl who played Mabel kicked *** twice as well as the woman from the B-way production. And the pro Tyrone was better. Life is like that.
Overall, the tunes are sung in a heartfelt manner and I would say that a person who has seen the play will enjoy the soundtrack.
Free Music Review: Don't judge the production by this recording!
Hit: 4 Stars
I saw the American touring company in Boston last night ("press night") and was blown away. I have seen every musical that is currently up and running on Broadway and have yet to see a show that surpasses Fame in terms of energy, enthusiasm, or even sheer, all-around talent. (And you thought Rent had energy??). The only weakness of the show is that it doesn't follow through on or develop many of the story lines (but that would, of course, take a few more hours and considering the time they had, I think they did a pretty decent job). This recording, however, doesn't do justice to the the outstanding production. The energy and talent simply doesn't transfer well to CD. But please, I almost made the mistake of passing up an opportunity to see Fame because I was upset with the quality of the recording...don't make the same mistake! I'll admit, the music sounds pretty corny in your stereo, but when you see it live...wow. Go see Fame.Free Music Review: Not too bad......
Hit: 4 Stars
I was very excited to receive this C.D.! But, after I listened to it, I wondered if I had just wasted 15 bucks! I must say that this recording is a little weak, but it DOES grow on you! I was upset that the song "Fame" wasn't featured more. It is on the C.D. twice, for like a very short time. Some of the lyrics are cheesy and the man who sings "Can't Keep it Down" has a nasely voice. "Tyrone's Rap" has to be the WORST song I have ever heard on Boardway. What were they thinking? But, all in all, I am now happy w/ my purchase. Although, I think it could have been better, I would recommend this C.D to you if you have extra money and want a high energy musical. But the way, does anyone know where I can find the London cast of this? ThanksFree Music Review: FAME - The Musical will Live Forever
Hit: 4 Stars
Among all the recent versions of FAME I've seen this was the best. I loved the choreography the characters and all the different types of music blended into one tasty morsel. Though this show didn't keep me as interested as RENT did The musical numbers were very catchy like "I can't keep it down" and "Hard Work" This recording I must agree isn't as satisfactory as other musicals but hey at least I can be reminded of how good the show was. I think Fame - the musical will be around for a loooong time