Bombay Dreams (2002 Original London Cast) [Cast Recording]

Don Black, Raza Jaffrey, Preeya Kalidas, A.R. Rahman | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 27, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Cast Recording
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00006GO7F
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #155,125 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Just when you thought Andrew Lloyd Webber was stuck in a rut, he pulls off a new success. But maybe the reason Bombay Dreams is so lively is that Lloyd Webber only acted as a Svengali producer, helping Indian composer A.R. Rahman (Lagaan) make his debut on Western stages. And that move proved to be inspired.

Indeed, at a time when many people complain that new musicals have become dreary and have lost all sense of fun, Lloyd Webber imported talent from the one place where entertainment for entertainment's sake is still alive and well: Bollywood. The Indian film industry cranks out hundreds of movies every year, a huge number of them deliriously gaudy musicals, and so it was a natural resource to mine. The plot of Bombay Dreams is on par with your usual musical-theater fare, but the songs are unlike anything ever heard on Broadway or the West End. Sure, the lyrics by Don Black (Sunset Boulevard) flirt with sheer idiocy, but the music that surrounds them is so irrepressibly lively that you'll simply focus on it and it alone. Borrowing both Indian (ragas) and Western (electronic dance music) elements, Rahman and his co-producer, Marius de Vries (who's worked with Björk), have come up with a delicious musical treat. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars I WANT A NEW YORK CAST RECORDING!!!!!, September 21, 2004

By 

AM (virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bombay Dreams (2002 Original London Cast) (Audio CD)

I saw Bombay Dreams this past Saturday on Broadway and fell in LOVE with the show. I couldn't wait to get the recording, but I've found that MOST of the songs are different :-(

I really would love to be able to hear the songs I just heard in the show, especially the Bhangra song. Since the show has obviously changed quite a bit from the London version, it seems silly to be selling an album that doesn't match the show.

bummer

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you can't watch the show, this is the closest you can get, January 10, 2003

By 

"desidash" (Austin, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bombay Dreams (2002 Original London Cast) (Audio CD)

I saw the show in London in December (Stephen Rahman Hughes played Akaash instead of Raza Jaffrey) The show totally blew my mind. I have friends who had seen the show and said the music is nothing new, nothing great if you've already seen a Bollywood movie. But it was fantastic!...I loved every bit of it and wanted more. The music is very haunting, and such a lot of fun! Listen to Sweetie as he sings 'Love's Never Easy' or the beautiful ballad 'Closer than Ever' by Priya, Akaash and Sweetie. Preeya Kalidas is superb in all her songs. Thank you Andrew Lloyd Weber for bringing A.R.Rahman and his music out for the world to enjoy..Sure the music is not like the other musicals, but then, we've enjoyed the other musicals enough! Bombay Dreams is a refreshing change.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rahman does the business, September 24, 2002

By 

Mr. P. Greenhill "PG" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bombay Dreams (2002 Original London Cast) (Audio CD)

I saw 'Bombay Dreams'performed in London last week. The plot is silly and throwaway but the songs and dancing are truly fantastic and so I've just ordered the original cast recording, which for some reason is not available in London.

Much of the music is vibrant but with strong melodies.There are also some beautiful ballads.

'Love Never Easy', 'Shakalaka Baby', 'Chaiyya Chaiya', 'Salaam Bombay', 'Journey Home' and 'Wedding Qawali' made a particular impact but I'm just looking forward to hearing the whole score when my CD arrives.

I was not familiar with A.R Rahman's work until 'Bombay Dreams' but he is a real treasure.

If you can, see the show but get the CD anyway!