Featured Recordings

 Billy Elliot
Elton John seems intent on a career as a musical theater songwriter, and his Billy Elliot is currently the toast of London , with a book and often soulful lyrics by Lee Hall, who wrote the screenplay for the popular film. The CD is missing the visuals that make the piece come alive—this is a story about a dancer, after all. What remains is the effective, although not always distinguished, music. John certain shows off his versatility, writing in styles ranging from a working-class anthem to showbiz razzle-dazzle, boogie, and dramatic ballads. The performance by Hadyn Gwynne as the dance teacher and Liam Mower as Billy, are exceptional. Highlights include “Grandma’s Song” (which helps establish a link to Billy's interest in dance) and “Expressing Yourself.” [Decca Broadway]

Pretty Faces
Subtitled "The Large and Lovely Musical," Pretty Faces,  by Robert W. Cabell, takes place at a pageant for full-figured women. Songs range from good to inspired (the latter include “How Do You Like Your Men,” “42-32-42,” and “Too Plump for Prom Night”), with the inspired in greatest abundance. The CD lacks a synopsis to provide context for the numbers (an irritation on many recent cast recordings), but there is ample evidence here of a crowd-pleasing production that bypasses the fat jokes and aims straight for the heart. [Original Cast Records]  
            BUY IT NOW  

Sweeney Todd
The new recording of the John Doyle bare-bones version of Sweeney Todd is revelatory. Every word is clear, with a quiet intensity that makes the goings-on all the more chilling. Patti LuPone and Michael Cerveris are outstanding in the lead roles, and Mark Jacoby brings an unexpected touch of humanity to the role of the judge. Listen to this one on headphones for an unforgettable experience. True, this version cuts some of the music of the original, but it also focuses the story more clearly on the two main characters, which is a plus, in my book. [Nonesuch]

The Color Purple
On CD, it's clear that The Color Purple is beautifully scored, recorded and performed, and the blues, gospel, swing, African and work songs by pop veterans Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray are attractive, if not always inspired. The heartfelt performances of LaChanze's as Celie, Felicia P. Fields as Sofia , and Elisabeth Withers-Mendes as the earthy Shug Avery, bring the musical to life when it's most needed.  [Angel]