Rent (1996 Original Broadway Cast)
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Free Music Notes for Rent (1996 Original Broadway Cast)
Free Music Review: Amazing!
Hit: 5 Stars
It usually takes me a while to notice a good thing. This is an example of one of them. After hearing my best friend Theresa go on and on about Jonathan Larson and this amazing musical called Rent for about a year, I decided to give this a try. As a newbie to the musical scene I didn't really know what to expect. But what I saw, amazed me. The acting was amazing, the storyline was funny, tear-jerking, and addictive, the characters were so real and the music... Well, that was just indescribable. Of course I had to get the CD.Just like the play, the first CD starts up with Tune Up #1, Voice Mail #1, and Tune Up #2 in which the only instrument backing up the talented singers is a guitar in the process of being tuned up. Then without warning the singers set off into a very rock oriented number called Rent. This sets the scene for the songs after it. I have too many favorites to count. "One Song Glory" shows off Adam Pascal's dynamic vocals and tells about worrying about dying and the want for one more piece of inspiration to write a song. "Today for you," staring the charming cross dresses Angel reminds me very much of a run way song. In "The Tango Maureen" Joanne and Mark discuss the lovable but free spirited Maureen. Other songs like "Light my candle," "Another Day," "I'll cover you," "Out Tonight," "On the Street" and others are fun, and emotional. I'll guarantee you'll be singing them out the door. Maureen's Performance (Over the Moon) is very funny. But the best songs of the first CD are La Vie Boheme in which the entire cast sings about life, love, and what they love.
The second CD is much mellower and a bit more darker. Though there are less songs on it they are all memorable. Seasons of Love is an amazing song that questions "how do you measure a year." "Take Me or Leave Me," one of the best songs on both of the CD explores into Maureen and Joanne's relationship. "What you own," "Halloween," "I'll Cover you (reprise)," and "Without you" are all sad but honest pieces that will move you. "The Finale" provides a fitting ending to the musical using pieces of some of the more memorable songs to move the audience.
With Rent, like in most musicals, it's spirit is embodied mostly in it's music and the voices behind them. Rent uses many different kinds of music in their songs such as Alternative Rock, pop, gospel, and so on. Any one who's seen the musical or wants to know what it's about should buy this CD! I guarantee you won't regret it. Everyone should see this musical and learn how to live "La Vie Boheme" and believe in "No day but today."
Free Music Review: A new wave of Broadway
Hit: 5 Stars
Rent premiered on Broadway in 1996, sparking controversey across the U.S. Rent, loosely based on the opera La Boheme, truly connects with the struggle and turmoil of today's society. Most theater goers are so shocked by what they see, that they either passionately love it or leave during intermission. Rent is able to connect to today's audience because of its direct confrontation with AIDS. No other medium has thus far succeeded in the way that Rent has. It is easy for someone to connect with at least one of the characters which help everyone understand the theme of "No day, but today". By far, Jonathon Larson created an ensemble cast of many different characters that puts different views of society on display. The story is told through the narration of Mark. Mark is a struggling film director who was recently dumped by his girlfriend when she decides that she is a lesbian. Mark represents those who are not infected with AIDS, but has to deal with the reality that those around him will die. In Halloween Mark faces an emotional dilemma of his solitude, "Why am I the witness, and when I capture it on film, does it mean that it's the end and I'm alone". Maureen and Joanne are the lovers who have a lot of trouble handling their relationship, showing the audience that same-sex pairings have the same kind of issues that heterosexuals. The song Take me as I am really makes the relationship work when both realize that they have to compromise to be together. Collins and Angel is the other same-sex pairing in the show which sparks the most controversy(especially when Angel appears in full drag) and the most sympathy. Angel dies in the middle of the second act showing the audience the reality of life and death for those infected with aids. The anthem of the show, Season's of Love displays how the world is measured in "525,600 minutes" and how Life can only be measured in love. Benny is the landlord who desires rent from Roger and Mark. We find out that Benny was once like the other characters, but "he abandoned them, to live as a lap dog to a wealthy daughter of the revolution". The two main characters Roger and Mimi are the main couple who are both inflicted with aids from drug use. Adam Pascal as Roger is truly the 'real thing'. His passion shown in such songs as One song, glory where he struggles to write a song to leave behind after he has died, and Another Day where he tells Mimi that his life is over. Mimi is a young girl who shows Roger that she "lives this moment as her last". Rent shows how all these lives connect and how they have to live now, because tommorrow may be different. "Forget regret or life is yours to miss".Free Music Review: Breathtaking
Hit: 5 Stars
Jonathan Larson's Rent is a true Broadway smash, now entering its eighth year on the Great White Way. When the show premiered, it was all the buzz in New York, and easily earned just about every major award for Best New Musical. The show is also one of a handful of musicals to ever win the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, showing you how special this gem of a show is. And the Original Cast Recording proves that Rent deserves ever ounce of praise it has received, proving to be an electric night of theatre live or on disc.
Jonathan Larson's score is absolutely brilliant, with its rock influenced guitar solos and pulsing beats distinguishing the show from the traditional Broadway musical score. Almost entirely sung-through, the show sports one jaw dropping tune after another. From the resounding title track to the final reprise of "No Day But Today," the score is electrifying, grabbing the listener and not letting go. And packed within that score is enough gut wrenching emotion to fill ten lesser shows, taking the audience on an emotional journey through the lives of these young, multi-ethnic lovers. On disc and especially in the theatre, it's hard to get through the show without becomeing a little choked up.
When the show debuted, as much attention was paid to the original cast of hot young talents as the show itself, and for good reason. The show marked the Broadway debuts of such successful stars as Adam Pascal, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Taye Diggs and 2004 Tony winner Idina Menzel. Along with the rest of the crack cast, these actors lend their amazing vocals and all their heart to some of the best songs to come out of theatre in years. Idina Menzel's duet with Fredi Walker, "Take Me or Leave Me," will send chills down your spine. Adam Pascal lends his distinct rock sound to songs like "One Song Glory" and "Your Eyes," as well as several touching duets with Daphne Rubin-Vega ("Without You" being particularly heart wrenching). Other standout songs include Jesse L. Martin on the soaring gospel reprise of "I'll Cover You" and the entire company on numbers like "Rent," "Christmas Bells," and "Seasons of Love."
If you can't tell by now, you owe it to yourself to go out and buy this CD. It is truly worth every penny, and the two-disc complete recording is the only way to go. It contains nearly every note of music in the show and give you the full story. It also comes with the complete lyrics and some black and white production photos. Rent is a true milestone in the theatre, and its timeless message about love and living for the moment will certainly stay with you for years to come.
Free Music Review: Without A Doubt, the Best Broadway Musical
Hit: 5 Stars
If I was told to describe Jonathan Larson's Rent in one word, I would not do it. Because I could not do it. I have never even seen the actual show (Yet!), and I absolutely ADORE the musical. The music is so astounding. There are right tunes to fit the most amazing words and dialogue! And the music itself is 50% the feeling of the play. It plays the emotional part. The other 50%, of course, are the actors' voices. Every single person in Rent has a wonderful voice! Even right down to the furcoat saleswoman. Every single thing about Rent is just truly amazing.Rent tells the story of a group of friends and enemies who are struggling through life with hardships, and enjoying some of the nice things life gives us. There are a variety and diverse group of characters. We have strong-voiced, songwriter Roger (Adam Paschal) who is recently getting over the suicide death of his girlfriend. She committed suicide because she found out she had Aids and had passed it on to Roger. His true feelings are strongly expressed in the highlight that is One Song Glory. Roger then meets the ultra tasty looking Mimi (Daphne Rubin-Vega) who happens to just "stop by" looking for a light for her candle in the sweet Light My Candle. Our narrator, Mark (Anthony Rapp), is perhaps my favorite character. Rapp's voice stimulates the character of Mark in every single feeling that the character goes through. There's also the antagonist, Benny (Taye Diggs) who you sometimes care for, and sometime are glad that his Akita has died. Morbid, ain't it? And then there's the unforgettable transvestite, Angel (Wilson Jermaine Heredia). Angel is met by Bollins (Jesse L. Martin) while performing on his ten-gallon pickle drum out on the street. And who can forget the pair that is Joanne (Fredi Walker) and Maureen (Idina Menzel)? Maureen is Mark's ex-girlfriend who decided she was gay, and is now in a relationship with Maureen. All of these character's lives mix, and we get great songs written by the talented and unforgotten Jonathan Larson.
Highlights for me were the powerful One Song Glory; the sweet and innocent Light My Candle; the crazy thing that is the Tango: Maureen; the ensemble pieces that are Christmas Bells Are Ringing and La Vie Boheime #1; the evocative Contact; the turning point of the story Goodbye Love; and Roger's newfound song dedicated to Mimi, Your Eyes. Each song, in itself, is special though.
The 2 disc set tells the complete story of Rent. It's a powerful and emotional story that will have you smiling, crying, laughing, and sighing throughout the whole thing. It's the magic of Rent.
Free Music Review: A Bohemian Masterpiece
Hit: 5 Stars
Rent is one of the best musicals ever, and Jonathan Larson's songs are some of the most skillful and creative you'll ever hear on Broadway. He used gorgeous melodies, vocal harmonies, and chords to bring his amazing poetry to life. The soundtrack has a wide spectrum of music ranging from upbeat songs like the title song "Rent", "What You Own", and "La Vie Boheme", and simple yet gorgeous ballads like "Without You", "I Should Tell You", and of course "Seasons of Love". Some songs always make me laugh, like "Contact" or "Today 4 U", and others ALWAYS make me cry, like "Finale B". Larson's writing is so impressive too. For example "Light My Candle" seems to be (in my opinion) a metaphorical song about taking a risk to start a relationship. And the recurring festive carol-of-the-bums "Christmas Bells" theme maybe is an ironic contrast to the struggling characters lives. And the soundtrack is so complete: there are so many memorable quotes sung by memorable characters. The voices are awesome too, and the cast blends so beautifully. My personal favorite cast member is Anthony Rapp, who is the coolest guy ever and a great singer with a distinctly awesome voice. But all of the actors have awesome voices which bring Jonathan Larson's melodies to life. And if you listen closely, you will hear that Larson subtly incorporated these melodies into unlikely songs throughout the soundtrack, just as his modern-day themes are also expressed throughout. Is that a hint of "I Should Tell You" I hear in "Another Day"? Or do I hear a short piano rendition of "Sante Fe" in "La Vie Boheme" and its intruiging percussion in "You Okay Honey"? And the "No Day But Today" theme can be heard in "Life Support" and of course "Finale B" among others. This gives the soundtrack such a sense of unity, and helps illustrate the themes of Rent, like coping with AIDS, not conforming to society, and of course the ever-important love. In this way, all the songs seem to weave together to form the final texture that is Rent. In short, Rent is a skillful masterpiece full of passion, love, and hope. And its catchy songs make it the awesome musical that it is. The soundtrack is a must for music-lovers!