Sweeney Todd (2005 Broadway Revival Cast)
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Free Music Notes for Sweeney Todd (2005 Broadway Revival Cast)
Free Music Review: Just as good as the show
Hit: 5 Stars
I saw the show when it was in previews in New York. I loved the show so much that I purchased the soundtrack as soon as it came out. When I listened to the CD, I was extremely pleased. It couldn't have been better. All my expectations were fulfilled. This makes Angela Landsbury sound like an amateur.Free Music Review: A fantastic revival.
Hit: 5 Stars
Different from its predecessor, but just as good. Those familiar with the original cast recording of "Sweeney Todd" may miss the lush, dramatic orchestrations and the fullness of ensemble songs (the Sweeney "Ballads", "Pirelli's Miracle Elixir", "God That's Good!" etc.), but this is a different Sweeney--a Sweeney that relies on its intimate cast of ten to sell its dramatic points. And you'll actually be surprised at how much the ensemble songs I mentioned above aren't really missing much. The cast is so fantastically polished that you never feel as though you're missing anything in ensemble numbers.
The recording is, however, missing a lot, exclusively in Act II. The rest of "City on Fire" is missing, as well as "Parlor Songs" and a few others. I'm not sure why they chose to leave these songs out, but they do make the second disc seem very unbalanced.
The exclusion of these songs is not enough to warrant a score less than 5 stars. The Sweeney revival is absolutely amazing and this recording is just as wonderful. There is not a weak link in the cast and they're doing double-duty here--singing AND playing their instruments. It's easy to forget because it's done so well, but every so often you remember--oh, that's Lauren Molina on the cello or Diana DiMarzio on the clarinet or Manoel Felciano on the violin. As a result, the music becomes both fuller and more intimate--it's music that is the result of ten very talented individuals.
Benjamin Magnuson and Lauren Molina are perfect as Anthony and Johanna, playing them with the perfect amount of serious innocence and comic innocence. Patti LuPone is absolutely fantastic as Mrs. Lovett; her "By the Sea" is one of my favorite tracks. The rest of the cast is also great, but no one more than Michael Cerveris. Michael, Michael, Michael--our new Sweeney. Cerveris on this album is the best handprint of his live performance; he is alternately terrifying and heartbreaking, exactly as Sweeney Todd should be. His soft baritone does so much to convey the anguish and passionate anger that so perfectly embody the title character. In a production as intimate as this one, what perfect casting. What perfect casting overall. What a perfect album of a truly remarkable production.
Free Music Review: Mr.Cerveris is just in a word...Magnificent!
Hit: 5 Stars
Mr.Cerveris is wonderful in this Sondheim Masterpeice. He plays the leading role. Michael Cerveris is just Magnificent. Mr.Cerveris is a guiter leading role. In this verison of this role he plays the guitar. I was amazed to see him on broadway. He and Ms.Lupon is amazing. I love themFree Music Review: Excellent Revival, But Doesn't Quite Match Original
Hit: 4 Stars
Last Fall, I was fortunate to catch this incredible revival on stage and it was truly brilliant. Michael Cerveris and Patti LuPone head a scaled-down, but terrific, "Sweeney Todd" where cast members play instruments as well as perform their roles. It made for a great evening.
As far as the the revival's recording, however, I don't think the cd quite captures the stark, yet beautiful stage performances. The cd sounds great (and thus the four stars), but its minimalistic approach doesn't match the show's original cast recording ... a hard act to follow.
Best tracks include:
The Ballad of Sweeney Todd
Johanna
Pretty Women
A Little Priest
By The Sea
Not While I'm Around
Overall, a very good recording of one of the best shows ever written for the stage! Hail Sondheim!
Free Music Review: Blah!
Hit: 2 Stars
Can't stand this recording! I don't why! It just irks me for some reason. It's too damn quiet. That's what it is. Not only the music, but the actors, as well. They are too damn subtle with their characterizations, with the only possible exception being Miss. Lupone. I'd much rather listen to the fully orchestrated recording, and watch the full length show on DVD.