Customer Reviews

Blood Brothers (1988 London Revival Cast)

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

BLOOD BROTHERS became my favorite musical of all time after seeing the show in London several years ago. The show is about two twin brothers who are separated at birth and raised in different homes but eventually become best friends of the closest kind, blood brothers. The show realistically displays the problems with the class system in England and the great divide that separates the rich from the poor.

"Marilyn Monroe" is the theme of the musical and it's flowing melody pops up throughout the soundtrack. "Bright New Day" is a cheery tune that ends the first act; it is a song full of hope and promise of grand things to come. The last song on the cd is "Tell Me It's Not True", a haunting melody that sticks with the listener long after the stereo has been turned off. My favorite song on the cd is "I'm Not Saying a Word" a ballad that speaks of a perfect, yet unrequited love.

They don't make too many shows like BLOOD BROTHERS in the U.S. anymore: a simple story with a strong social and moral message supported by a strong score and soundtrack yet not backed by any huge blockbuster dance numbers. That is unfortunate. However, until they do, one can listen to BLOOD BROTHERS and be reminded that sometimes simple is best.

Well, I don't think critics would put this play above "Cats," but then again, when have the critics have been right? I first saw this play in London a few years ago, and I fell in love with it. Without giving away the ending,(which unfortunately the soundtrack does-that's my only complaint) this play tells the story of two brothers separated at birth, and their journey as they form a friendship, unaware of their family ties. The entire play is a flashback, so in essence, you know how the play is going to end, but that doesn't matter. "Marilyn Monroe" is probably the most powerful song in the play which is evident by it's reoccurence, and the occasional references to her in the dialogue. It's kind of eerie how much her life models the life of the brothers' lives, which adds to the power of the song. "Shoes Upon the Table" is a strong song, due mainly to the fact that it is sung by the narrator. In the play, the narrator is like a shadow who lurks in the background, and foreshadows disaster, so when he sings about the shoes, there is a very powerful message of superstition. He is actually my favorite character, and I think his strength comes through well on this recording. "Bright New Day" is exactly what it sounds like-- it's the end of the first act, and there are signs of hope, but like clockwork, the narrator shows up not too long after the second act begins. Again, since I don't want to give away too much because I want you to see the play yourself, I will say that the last track, "Tell Me It's Not True" is a powerful song whose message is easy to relate to. Anyone who has suffered like Mrs. Johnstone does in the play can understand what she sings about, and it is a very strong end to the CD. I highly recommend this CD to everyone, but because it does kind of give away too much of the plotline, I do highly recommend seeing the play before buying this recording.

i am an american who first saw blood brothers performed live while living in london. though the class issues at the heart of this have a uniquely british veneer, i found it to be one of the most heartbreaking & powerful musicals i've ever seen. many of the themes are universal.

if you ever have the chance to see this in person, go see it. if not, the album is the next best.

BLOOD BROTHERS, playwright Willy Russell's stinging indictment on the Thatcher-governed years in Britain, has come to be regarded as a modern classic and with very good reason. Willy Russell's music and lyrics perfectly inhabit the locale and themes of the piece. The story revolves around twin boys, Eddie and Mickey, who were separated shortly after birth and go on to live polar-opposite lifestyles. Their mother, known only as Mrs Johnstone, is plunged into every parent's worst nightmare, when one brother unknowingly kills his twin... The story later explores the ramifications of the event as well as the aftermath in store for Mrs Johnstone.

BLOOD BROTHERS had been staged several times in the years before this particular production, most notably in 1983 (the World Premiere in Liverpool), but the show took a while to achieve a following. It wasn't until 1987 that a new touring production decided to settle for an extended run in London, and BLOOD BROTHERS began to make it's mark. Starring Kiki Dee in the demanding lead role of Mrs Johnstone, featuring Con O'Neill and Robert Locke as Mickey and Eddie (with Warwick Evans as the Narrator), this cast of BLOOD BROTHERS is one of the best recorded for disc.

Songs like "Marilyn Monroe", "Tell Me It's Not True", "Bright New Day" and "That Guy", are draped over the characters like second skins, they are so powerful in exploring characterisation and meaning. Musically in BLOOD BROTHERS, nothing happens without a reason, and this score definitely improves with repeated listening. Well worth your time.

We visited the musical in the London Phoenix Theatre in December 2006. The performance was wonderful, so we decided to buy the cd via Amazon. The performance on the cd is very good as well with actors who have almost resembling voices. It gives a very good impression of what happened on stage.

Recently saw this play in London. Loved it and wanted a reminder. This disc is wonderful. If you do not know the story, I think you would still enjoy the music.

If you love musicals with characters that are not one-dimensionally self-involved--If you love musicals without screeching sopranos and tons of special effects--If you love musicals with dramatic, realistic story lines, then this one's for you.
Simple and straight forward, this one's aims straight for the gut--without drippy sentiment.
The recurring 'Just Like Marilyn Monroe' is beautiful torture.
Try it. You won't be disappointed.

The story of the Blood Brothers is a fantastic one, I saw this at the Empire in Liverpool during their homecoming in 2004 and I was blown away. I've heard a few recordings of the show, but the 1988 London Revival Cast is the best I've heard outside of the theatre.

I'd recommend this to anyone, and can't wait to go and see it again some time!

I first heard selections from this cd on accubroadway.com. Kiki Dee is amazing as the mother. The story is heartbreaking. Even my hormonal eleven year old son goes around the house singing songs from this cd!!!

Blood Brothers is an amazing musical, and the 1988 revival cast does an amazing job. I'm not a huge fan of the guy that plays Eddie in this version, but Overall an absolutely amazing cast. Kiki Dee works wonders with her voice, and the guy that plays Mickey is bloody perfect. This album, and the Studio cast album are the best recordings of this. 5 stars ladies and gents.