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 | Title : Hairspray (2002 Original Broadway Cast)
Author : Marc Shaiman
Release Date : 20020813
Binding : Audio CD
Regular Price : $18.98
Amazon.com Price : $13.49
(29
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Editorial Reviews :
The cast recording for the Broadway musical of John Waters's 1988 paean to dance, music, big beautiful women, and integration is a sheer delight. It's wonderfully upbeat all the way through, with a classic feel that's in keeping with the story's setting in the early 1960s. The characters come alive in these songs, from Marissa Jaret Winokur's (Tracy Turnblad) opening lines in 'Good Morning Baltimore' to the stunningly upbeat finale, 'You Can't Stop the Beat.' The music is by Marc Shaiman, whose recent projects include South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut, as well as a number of film soundtracks, and his compositions are simultaneously solid and exuberant. Shaiman and Scott Wittman's lyrics brim over with the unreserved passions and primary-color emotions that made the film so successful. Regardless of one's familiarity with the story or the stage production, it's hard to avoid the appeal of this recording; even the less cheerful songs are awash in bright colors, without disrespect for their subjects.
Buyer Reviews :
Hairpsray is --bottom line-- fun! It's funny and energetic with some standout performances and probably Tony-worthy for Best Musical.
As you listen to the songs, you'll find they sound like pretty much every 60s song you've ever heard on your local oldies station. For some of the songs, you could almost point out the exact song it's copying. The surprising thing is that even though every song maybe just be another 60s sounding tune, they are all slightly unique and the funny lyrics and wonderful performances give them a magic touch.
Standout songs for me were 'Good Morning, Balitimore,' 'I Can Hear the Bells,' 'Welcome To the 60's,' and 'You Can't Stop the Beat.' Every song though is very catchy and worthy of a good listen.
The leading lady, twenty-something Marissa Jaret Winokur, whose voice can be a bit shrill at times, takes some time to get used to, but after a while, you get so used to it that you rather enjoy it. One, however, wonders who cast Harvey Fierstein as Edna Turnblad. I can see how he could bring a lot of humor to the stage production live, but as far as singing talent goes, he does nothing more than grumble the lines in his low, monotone voice. Maybe if he put just a bit more effort into giving the songs some pitch I would enjoy his performance more, but I can certainly hear the comic potential he has. Also fine performances come from Matthew Morrison playing Tracy Turnblad's love interest Link Larkin, Corey Reynolds as Tracy's friend Seaweed, and Mary Bond Davis as the local record store owner, Motormouth Maybelle.
Bottom line for me--besides a few lyrics that just don't fit and seem a bit too calculated such as 'First we'll make a pitstop the the wiener stand'--is that the performances a great and that the music is really catchy. You'll find yourself humming the melodies if not singing the lyrics. Worth your money.
(by A music fan)
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