Aida (2000 Original Broadway Cast) Review

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(More customer reviews)"What is this Rubbish?!", I thought to myself when I first listened to 'Aida'. I thought that Elton John's music was ordinary, and Tim Rice's lyrics were nothing special. I had heard Adam Pascal in 'Rent', and not being a big fan of 'Rent', I was not thrilled with his voice. I thought Sherie Rene Scott's voice was more like a screech, and, well I didn't mind Heather Headley's voice that much. That was my first listen, and after that I just put it away for a couple of months.
After a few more listens I actually came to enjoy 'Aida' more and more, and now I just cannot stop listening to it. Based on the opera, by Verdi, 'Aida' follows the love-story of Nubian Princess, Aida (Heather Headley), and her nation's enemy, the Captain of the Egyptian Army, Radames (Adam Pascal). Yet, Radames is betrothed to Princess Amneris (Sherie Rene Scott), Pharaoh's daughter. Radames must chose love or power, and his choice of love leads to tragic circumstances.
Husky, yet versatile in range, Pascal's voice grew on me, and I believe that he portrays Radames very well. Listeners are first introduced to Radames in the song, "Fortune Favours the Brave". This fast-paced rock song is sheer brilliance on the part of John and Rice. Pascal's voice fits into this type of song perfectly. But as I listened more I discovered that his voice fitted into most of the songs on this album. He develops his character from a follower of his father's commands, to a man who decides his own fate.
Heather Headley's portrayal of the proud, majestic Aida is brilliant. Headley adds so many dimensions to her character; she is a lover, she is passionate and strong-willed, and she is loyal to her nation and her people. Headley has great range in her voice, especially in "Dance of the Robe", the gospel-like "The Gods Love Nubia", and the sombre "The Past is Another Land". She performs all of these songs with great passion and precision, and one can not help but admire her.
"My Strongest Suit", what a song!!!! Sherie Rene Scott's performs this song with great enthusiasm, and I think she is just brilliant. She plays the part of the superficial Princess Amneris. Listeners observe great contrasts between the princesses; Aida being strong-willed, proud, and magestic, and Amneris being shallow and materialistic. Yet, listeners observe an inner-emotional dimension to Amneris when she sings the song "I Know The Truth", as she realises that Radames loves Aida and not her.
Pascal, Headley and Scott all perform absolutely brilliantly, and I am sorry that I doubted them in my first listening of 'Aida'.
However, the best songs in 'Aida' are when the three leads collaborate together. The duet between Pascal and Headley in "Enchantment Passing Through" creates an inspiring beauty, as with the lovely "Written in the Stars". But listeners are in for an even bigger treat when Pascal, Headley and Scott combine to sing the compelling songs of "Not Me", "Elaborate Lives", and "A Step Too Far". These songs are truly brilliant!!!
I urge potential buyers of 'Aida' to listen to the album more than once if you don't like it the first time, because it contains some fantastic music; Elton John should be commended, as he has created a musical with period as well as contemporary music. All too often lyricists are forgotten, but Tim Rice's lyrics are just as good they have ever been, they can compare to some of his earlier musicals, such as 'Evita' or even 'Chess'. 'Aida' is truly an album to purchase if not for the score, for the incredible vocal talents of Pascal, Headley and Scott. Buy this and be enchanted!

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No Description AvailableNo Track Information AvailableMedia Type: CDArtist: AIDATitle: ORIGINAL BROADWAY CASTStreet Release Date: 06/06/2000

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Chess in Concert (2009) Review

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(More customer reviews)Four items make this a must-have. The first is Josh Groban singing the classic "Anthem", where, as the Russian chess champion, Anatoly, he avows his love for his homeland. As Anatoly's discarded wife, Svetlana, the amazing Kerry Ellis totally nails "Someone Else's Story." There's "The Story of Chess", where the Chorus perform Tim Rice's witty take on the evolution of the game. Finally, the Quartet, where Florence (Idina Menzel), Anatoly, his minder Molokov and the Arbiter deplore how chess has sunk from "a model of decorum and tranquillity" to "a battleground for rival ideologies to slug it out with glee."
Having seen the original London West End production in 1986 with Elaine Paige, I was lucky enough to witness this superb 21st Anniversary production in the Royal Albert Hall, London, last year. Tim Rice has tightened up the plot of love and betrayal played out in the setting of chess championships in the Cold War. Florence, who manages the American champion, falls for the Russian; complications - political, ethical, personal - ensue. From the moment the outstanding Chorus bursts into "Merano" - blending chess with commercialism as a tiny Central European town prepares to welcome the world - right to the devastating "Endgame" and final twist, the dramatic pace never lets up.
In this DVD, hopefully the sound difficulties of this production will have been ironed out. As to the cast - they were fantastic!! Groban is a revelation: a brilliant actor as well as singer. Kerry Ellis was a showstopper. As Florence, Idina Menzel, (so good in Wicked (2003 Original Broadway Cast), was too strident for my taste, lacking subtlety and roundness in acting. ("Heaven Help My Heart" doesn't register, and "Nobody's Side" pales away.) However, her "You and I" with Groban still tugs the heartstrings: "we go on pretending / Stories like ours Have happy endings."
The wonderful David Bedella (Jerry Springer: the Opera), makes a great, sinister Molokov. And Adam Pascal gives his charismatic ALL as Freddy, the tormented American bearing luggage from the past: "Pity the Child." Marti Pellow (of pop group Wet Wet Wet) was a disappointment as the Arbiter, a little under-performed I felt.
Rice's lyrics are trenchant, tender, intelligent, witty. The music, by Benny and Bjorn of ABBA, is a perfect rock score, conveying all the emotions and tensions necessary and fully matching the lyrics.
In the main, this is a superb production of a classic and underestimated musical.

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Starring multiplatinum artist Josh Groban, Tony-winning Idina Menzel (Wicked) and Tony nominated Adam Pascal (RENT), Chess In Concert revives the eclectic yet wonderfully pop 1984 concept album featuring the music of ABBA's Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson and lyrics of Tim Rice (Jesus Christ Superstar, The Lion King, Evita). Recorded at London's Royal Albert Hall in May 2008, this spectacular Chess In Concert - introduced by Rice and with the 50- piece City of London Philharmonic and 100-voice West End Chorus - finally fulfills the promise of the popular cult musical.

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