South Pacific in Concert from Carnegie Hall
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Free Music Notes for South Pacific in Concert from Carnegie Hall
Free Music Review: Wow!
Hit: 5 Stars
Let's get to the point here. With all due respects to the legendary Mary Martin, Ezio Pinza, and all the others who have essayed the lead roles in this great show, this is, quite simply, the finest recording of R&H's "South Pacific".
Brian Stokes Mitchell is a proven commodity on the Broadway stage these days. He is a force of nature that seems to sweep away all before him. The part of Emile was originally written for Ezio Pinza, then nearing the end of a remarkable career on the operatic stage. Magnificent though he is said to have been in this role, it simply must be said that for those familiar with his great art, his voice, as heard on the original cast recording is long past its' prime. Mitchell simply sounds much younger and more vibrant. Does it work? I think so.
A much greater potential problem is Reba McEntire. Someone took a great leap of faith in casting her in this role. New York audiences are notoriously unforgiving, and the cognoscenti awaited her with their claws sharpened. It is said she was very worried about doing this, but resolved to give it her best. Watching this on the DVD, it is more obvious than listening on the CD, but the audience is noticeably cool to McEntire at the beginning. It takes her about ten minutes to win them over. But win them over she does, and in the process turns in one of the most surprising performances in my memory. Could she do Nellie eight a week? I have no idea. But I can sure tell you she did the hell out if for at least one night. Her much deserved ovation at the end of the show was so thunderous she can be seen taking her bows with tears running down her face.
Simply a great job by one and all.
Now, on to the shortly-to-be-released cast album of the recent Broadway revival of South Pacific, amazingly, the shows' first fully staged Broadway revival since it premiered over a half century ago. I hear its' great. I hope so. It's going to have to be to top this.
R&H live forever!
Free Music Review: What a voice!!
Hit: 5 Stars
I have ALWAYS adored the score from SOUTH PACIFIC, but was hard put to find the perfect cast to sing it as it I imageded the authors intended. This cast is superb. Reba McIntyre, while not as young as Nellie was written, is just great with that air of small town out on her own in na strange new world. Alec Baldwin is a hoot as Lester Billis, that quintessential con artist with a heart of gold. Lillias White is a great Bloody Mary, too.
My real raves are for Brian Stokes Mitchell in the role of Emile de Beque. I can't stop listening to his rendition of SOME ENCHANTED EVENING. And when you hear him sing THIS NEARLY WAS MINE you might be ready to pack your bags and look for anything this guy is playing, as I was. His voice is awesome! Where have they been hiding him? He needs to share that magnificent voice with the rest of the civilized world.
Free Music Review: Refreshing
Hit: 5 Stars
Really refreshing to have a new and complete recording of this wonderful show. The score includes many reprises, which become somewhat like leitmotifs for the characters. The orig film and b'way albums are very abbrieviated. And the cast is quite wonderful. Free Music Review: South Pacific/Carnegie Hall
Hit: 5 Stars
I first heard this version of this musical on PBS. I was so impressed with Reba McIntire and Brian Stokes Mitchell I knew I had to hear it again. They were much to my surprise as good as Rossano Brazzi and Mary Martin. The person who cast Reba in that role hit the nail right on the head. She was fabulous. And Brian's deep baritone voice was very impressive. I ordered his debut album after listening to this music. That also is very entertaining. I really liked this CD and will listen to it often. I need to hear music everyday and this is superb.Free Music Review: Better than I could have imagined
Hit: 5 Stars
To compare this recording with the original cast recordings of the 1950's is like comparing a jr. high science experiment with a space shuttle launch. Reba McIntyre is wonderful, giving a slight country twang just where and when it was needed (wasn't Nellie from Arkansas, after all?) And what can one say about Mr. Mitchell? That booming baritone filled every nook and cranny of Carnagie Hall, and his clever, halted, French-accented dialogue made his character interpretation enjoyable and realistic. Danieley and White were probably who Rogers and Hammerstein had in mind when they wrote this musical. I loved every song and every word of dialogue.