Fame the Musical (1999 Original American Cast Recording) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This Cd is pretty good, but I do need to compare it to the Original London Cast Recording (which is hard to find.) The new Cd certainly has its high points but it also has many weak spots, namely the vocals of the character Carmen (Natasha Rennalls)and Tyrone (Dwayne Chattman). Just for the record, I saw Natasha Rennalls (now Natasha Neary) play the part of Carmen in Los Angeles. She was PHENOMENAL. But this recording does not do her justice. The vocal director has her sing it too bubble gum pop. When I saw her live she didn't sing like that. Also, her dancing was AMAZING, and her stage presence was very commanding. But I do have to complain about the song "In LA" when she takes the key higher to sing, "oh, they know how to do it in L awww." Not LA. L AWWW. What were they thinking? I was so disapointed. If you wanna hear the definitive version of "In LA" get the London Cast sung by unknown DIVA Loraine Velez who belts the song like there's NO tomorrow!
On the plus side there are a lot of great singers on this CD. Miss Sherman (Regina Le Vert) and Miss Bell (Kim Cea) belt their way through "The Teacher's Argument" like it's some kind of singing contest. It's amazing and sung better here than the London Cast. Also Le Vert belting her soulful rendition of "These Are My Children" is wonderful too.
Serena and Nick are great too played by Jennifer Gambatese (Tarzan & All Shook Up) and Gavin Creel (Millie, Mary Poppins). "I Wanna Make Magic" definitely sounds better sung by Creel. His voice is strong and smooth. Gambatese does well with the bulk of the songs "Let's Play A Love Scene" & (reprise), "Think Of Meryl Streep". Although I am partial to the London Cast sung by Gemma Wardle.
One of the roles in this show that always gets the audiences attention is the lovable Mabel, the girl who can't stop eating! Dioni Michelle Collins (Little Shop of Horrors) does well with her one hilarious song "Mabel's Prayer". But if you wanna hear it belted out of this universe, definitely get the London Cast. It's sung by now Sonia Swaby (Gigi MISS SAIGON COMPLETE RECORDING, Nancy "As Long As He Needs ME" from OLIVER in HEY MR PRODUCER! VIDEO) She really knocks it out of the park.
As a whole the Cast works well together to produce a fun filled album but it's too bubble gum, and not dark enough for my liking. Lots and lotsa of energy but maybe too much. Once again, since the London Cast was the first to perform the show, that's the way it was originally intended to be. It's sounds darker.
But on the other hand, a notable plus is that this album features the song when Carmen and Schlomo are rehearsing "Bring On Tomorrow" which is NOT on the London Cast.
I'd give this CD 3 1/2 stars if I could. So there are good and bad, now it's time for you to decide. Now, there is also FAME on 42nd Street. I say get them all to compare, and to enjoy!

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