Bring In 'Da Noise, Bring In 'Da Funk (1996 Original Broadway Cast) [CAST RECORDING]

Daryl Waters, Vincent Bingham, Reg E. Gaines, Savion Glover, Omar A. Edwards, Zane Mark, Ann Duquesnay, Jimmy Tate

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 30, 1996)
• Original Release Date: July 23, 1996
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Cast Recording
• Label: RCA Victor Broadway
• ASIN: B000003G4I
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #189,971 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The considerable charms and originality of this still-running 1996 hit show, conceived by choreographer Savion Glover and director George C. Wolfe, were largely visual: Glover's engaging lead performance, Wolfe's inventive staging, Jules Fisher and Peggy Eisenhauer's exquisite lighting, and, above all, the highly successful use of tap-dancing, of all things, to create characters and tell a story. In this show, the music, by Daryl Waters, Zane Mark, and Ann Duquesnay (who also did the arrangements and won a Tony as Best Featured Actress in this musical) is perfectly fine, but it mostly serves the dancing, as well it should. None of this makes for a very compelling recording, however. Two drummers banging pans attached to the other's or their own bodies is kind of cute when you see it in the theatre, for example, but on a record it's just two people banging pans. A couple of the show's songs do manage to cut through the need for tap-dancing accompaniment, especially Duquesnay's interpretation of "The Lynching Blues." But otherwise this rappish CD is strictly a souvenir of the show or for tap-dancing practice. --Robert Windeler

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended, October 8, 2009

By	Staffone K. Williams - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have to disagree with the statement that this CD is not worth listening to or purchasing solely because it contains tap music. Having seen the musical twice, I speak from a completely different perspective. While tap music is the medium used to convey a message for the production, the meaning of Bring in da Noise, Bring in da Funk is that it speaks about 'da beat'. The beats that were held within Africans of varied tribes who were captured, enslaved, emancipated, and navigated through a complicated society in the following years to realize and experience freedoms. The taps in this production must be listened to with an ear that recognizes the instrumental role of tap in song--it essentially mimics the role of the drum by supplying beats. These drum beats are instinctively tribal, uniquely African, and were masterfully expressed through tap in this production. The listener might gain a deeper understanding of and appreciation for this production's audio by knowing beforehand that no drums are used for lead solo beats. The clicks and clacks you hear throughout the audio are made by cast members who are "taking something from nothing"--an empty tub, a few bottles, and some trash cans--and bringing it all it. The beats come alive throughout as the listener is taken on a journey starting in the motherland on slave ships and going on to reflect how the African experienced America. All of the songs, with their accompanying taps and narrations, are very relative to the African Holocaust many reject as ever taking place. "Bring in da Noise.." provides an exemplary explanation of social and historical perspectives that will forever bind together Africans from around the world.

2.0 out of 5 stars One of those shows, November 9, 2006

By	~Amante "James" (Frederick, MD) - See all my reviews

That title probably gives the wrong impression. But there are a few different types of musicals. The ones that you have to see to understand, the ones you can just listen to and get the jist of it, and then those that some one has to explain it to you after you've seen and listened to it. This show is one that you have to see. I haven't seen the show, so this revue is based soley on my impression after listening to it, and I wasnt really entertained. A good bit of the music is tap dancing, and that just inst as thrilling as it would be if you were seeing it. So, know that a good bit of what you will be listening is tap dancing. The actual singing has some good moments. Its also has some extremly grating moments, which may have been for effect in the show, but not pleasent to listen to. I would definitly listen to samples of as many songs as you can before you decide to buy this one. Collectors should get it just because they collect, but others should probably not by this one blindly. If your getting a gift for someone who likes "musicals" this wouldnt be one to get. Fav song: "Lynching Blues"

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Musical, September 1, 2000

By	Michelle Rimmer (Hershey, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This is a really great musical, especially for tap dancers. Savion is great as usual, a must have.