Original Cast Recording - Disney's The Little Mermaid (2008 Original Broadway Cast)
|
List Price: Our Price: $12.74 You Save: $6.24 (33%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $8.72 (click here) Category: Music CD See more new music releases 
|
|---|
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store
Canadian Music Store
Free Music Notes for Disney's The Little Mermaid (2008 Original Broadway Cast)
Free Music Review: Great!
Hit: 4 Stars
I just got this yesterday, and so far I love it! The vocals are awesome: everyone sings incredibly. I gave it only four stars because some of the new songs just don't seem to mesh as well with the original music as I want them to. The songs themselves are all amazing, but a few of them ("I want the Good Times Back", and "Positoovity" especially) just don't seem to fit with the overall sense of the musical. I must say though that growing up with the original Little Mermaid and then recently watching it (a bunch!) with my toddlers has probably closed my mind a little. Sierra Boggess as Ariel is a perfect fit in my mind, a big role to fill because of Jodi Benson's performance in the movie, but she brings enthusiasm and a clear voice that soars when it needs to without losing the character. Sean Palmer as Eric is wonderful. I really love all of the songs they have added for his character and he sings them with a sense of ease and the proper emotions for the role. I really don't think I prefer Sherrie Rene Scott as Ursula...Which sort of makes me sad. I love her in other things, but I just think her voice is too high and clear to fully embody the part. She sings the songs well; vocally she's all there, but I just don't think she carries the same umph that Pat Carroll brings to the movie.
My favorite new songs are "She's In Love", "Her Voice", and "Beyond My Wildest Dreams", they fill out musically the story we all know and love.
All in all I love the musical and I fully expect for it to grow on me even more as I listen to it.
Free Music Review: I'm in LOVE!
Hit: 4 Stars
Much much better than the $25 they were charging at the theatre! I'm glad I waited...and the wait was so worth it! This soundtrack is pretty gosh darn awesome!
I really do think that the new songs could easily fit into the original - my favorites are "I Want the Good Times Back", "She's in Love", and "If Only". But all the other newbies are good too! Sherie Rene just shines!!
Unlike many, I think Sierra Bogess is a little lacking - I just don't fully associate her voice with that of Ariel, but then again no one can compare to the incomparable Jodi Benson. But nevertheless, Sierra does amazingly well and is not at all difficult on the ears! (Same goes for whoever played Sebastian - the Broadway vocalist does not compare AT ALL to Sam Wright!!!)
I do like how they really fleshed out Eric's character in the Broadway show. You can't really tell from the soundtrack, but they gave personality to Ariel's sisters as well. The only downside is that there is considerably less Flounder in the stage show than in the movie, but with two little kids playing the part I can see why they wouldn't want it to be so overburdensome!
So basically - go buy the cd! You won't be sorry!
Free Music Review: STAGE ADAPTATION SHOULD DELIGHT "LITTLE MERMAID" FANS
Hit: 4 Stars
This CD arrived today from Amazon, and I am delighted with the speedy delivery. I haven't seen the stage show, but it sounds as though the 1989 Disney animated classic has made a reasonably faithful and successful transfer to the Broadway stage. "Little Mermaid" aficionados should be delighted.
Eddie Korbich as Scuttle stands out in his comedy numbers "Human Stuff" and "Positoovity." Tituss Burgess plays Sebastian the Crab, and therefore gets to sing the memorable showstopper "Under The Sea." Sierra Boggess sounds virtually identical to Jodi Benson, who voiced Ariel in the original animated film. Sean Palmer makes a very sexy, strong-voiced, and determined Prince Eric, who sings a beautiful new ballad titled "Her Voice." The best new ballad is a quartet titled "If Only." Sherie Rene Scott as Sea Witch Ursula practically steals the show, of course, with her numbers "I Want The Good Times Back"
and "Poor Unfortunate Souls."
I listened to this CD TWICE today and enjoyed it very much!
Free Music Review: Big Improvement From Tarzan
Hit: 4 Stars
While not quite the level of brilliance seen in "The Lion King" or "Mary Poppins", Disney's latest effort, "The Little Mermaid" aims to restore a bit of the magic lost in "Tarzan".
Sierra Boggess makes a terrific Ariel & might have received a Tony nomination for her efforts in a less competitive year. Norm Lewis, Titus Burgess, and the amazing Sherrie Renee Scott round out the leads - though I'm not sure all were used to their potential.
Alan Menken's score includes both songs from the movie as well as new additions. The music is principally geared towards the younger set, but several songs are standouts:
Part Of Your World
Under The Sea
Poor Unfortunate Souls
If Only (Quartet)
Free Music Review: Quality recording
Hit: 4 Stars
This is a quality recording - orchestra, cast, engineering is all top notch (would you expect anything less from Disney). The new songs are largely good (with the exceptions of the Seagull's songs) and winningly performed by a quality cast.
Though vocally top-notch, miscast here is Sheri Rene Scott as Ursula. She is pushing her natural boyant voice into the depths to sound campy and creepy. It is not an easy fit and feels forced.
Sierra Bogess is winning as Ariel with a lovely easy soprano mix and a powerful belt. Titus Burgess pulls out all the vocal fireworks he can with his songs, singing where even women dare to tread (it's that high).
An enjoyable album of a show I'd love to see.