|  | | | Customer Reviews: | | | Average Customer Review:
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
Great recording of a terrific show Jan 05, 2009
This is a terrific cast album, with most of the show recorded intact. Only some dialogue has been omitted. The cast is exceptional, led by Brian Stokes Mitchell, Audra McDonald and Marin Mazzie. The score is complex, lovely to listen to, painful in places and on the whole quite beautiful. I was lucky enough to be in a production of the show recently and know how difficult a score this is to sing. Get this if you want to hear one of the best Broadway scores in years sung by one of the best casts in years. It's sort of a shame that Lion King beat this show out as best musical at the Tony awards that year. It was definitely a case of flash over substance.
Concept Album Dec 25, 2008
"Ragtime" is an excellent musical.
When I purchased this recording on ebay, I was not familiar enough with the show to realize there were both a concept album and an original cast album. Otherwise, I would have opted for the OC; but I am not disappointed in my choice. Interestingly, Amazon appears to be using the same reviews for both recordings.
My familiarity with "Ragtime" was limited to the movie version; so it was a surprise to hear the three stories interwoven, as they are in the musical. The soloists are well fitted to their roles. The chorus work is especially well done.
There is a great deal of variety in the musical styles represented. Because of this, I hear the influences of other sources in some of the songs. DisneyWorld, in "Wheels of a Dream." "Mack & Mabel," in "Buffalo Nickel ..." "Les Miz," in "Make Them Hear You." This is not meant as a criticism, only as a comment.
It is unfortunate that production costs kept "Ragtime" from being profitable. Happily, it lives on to some degree in less extravagant regional productions.
The printed material with the recording includes a plot synopsis, a libretto, and an excellent history of the show written by Marty Bell.
I have not heard the OC recording to make comparisons. But I would recommend either to any fan of Broadway musicals.
Review of Ragtime Jul 24, 2008
Fantastic Soundtrack. Great music. This music as great as the show was. Highly recommend to all. Thanks
It was the music of something beginning... Feb 13, 2008
With 38 tracks of Broadway's best songs, this soundtrack is incredible. The show itself is so moving and this cast features some of the best voices I have ever heard. Marin Mazzie as Mother, Audra McDonald as Sarah, and Brian Stokes Mitchell as Coalhouse are my favorites. All of the songs are show-stoppers, but I would name the following as my absolute favorites: "Your Daddy's Son," "New Music," "Wheels of a Dream," "Til We Reach that Day," "Sarah Brown Eyes," and "Make Them Hear You." The booklet of this two-disk soundtrack also features incredible stills and lyrics from the show.
 Moment's of brilliance. Feb 02, 2008
There are parts of this musical that just blow you away. Sure it has it's dry narrative moments too but the vocal heights that it reaches are awe inspiring.
|
| | |
