Customer Reviews

Bugsy Malone

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I was seeking the soundtrack to the original 1976 movie Bugsy Malone, but everywhere I looked, the label seemed to be out of stock. Don't make the mistake of ordering this one instead. I'd have to agree with one of the other reviewers - this production has a distinct high school musical flavour to it, albeit a very good one. Paul William's original arrangements have been revamped for this revival production, rendering some of the musical's trademark tunes unrecognisable. The two that spring to mind are 'Bad Guys' and the finale - You Give A Little Love. If it wasn't for the fact that it was Williams himself that did the revamping, many fans would not be inclined to give this new sound a chance.

Having said this, the adolescent singers are very talented, and die-hard Bugsy fans will delight in the new songs finally being brought to the stage. After a long search, I was thankful to find the original movie soundtrack in a mainstream music store one day. Make the effort to find it - it is worth it.

To all who want to buy this CD - I have bought it myself and am absolutely addicted! My Performing Arts Academy are putting on Bugsy Malone, and so i got this CD for help (as i am playing Blousey Brown). The songs are just amazing - the children have very strong voices and present the music very entertainingly. All of the numbers are great - although my only criticism is that the Bugsy Malone song is not as good as in the film, but apart from that, it's great fun for all.

This soundtrack is very High school musical like, and I played Fat Sam in my school's production of this classic. The music is great, Twenties style, Williams does an amazing job. I particulary enjoy the song "That's why they call him Dandy!" Very catchy. I actually liked how our Dandy Dan sang it better, but it is an awesome song, and overall an awesome CD.

I am so glad to read the other reviews here that are all so positive. I was lucky enough to be in this West-End production, and appear as Dandy Dan (hear me on Track 4 - That's Why They Call Me Dandy) when I was younger. For all of us, it was the first time we'd stepped into a recording studio - and Abbey Road isn't a bad start! We were all very nervous, but we were made to feel at home - and once the nerves went it was one big laugh! I had so much fun touring for the 2 years, and then for 3 months in the West-End and this CD is a good reminder of it - although perhaps as it WAS somewhat rushed (to get it out to coincide with the London run I suspect) the magic of the live show isn't quite captured I feel - and it seems to me editing was slightly rushed - but perhaps the odd mistakes are mistakes that only I would notice!!! We were invited to do a Broadway run - but Alan Parker refused the rights as he thought the show "commersialised" Bugsy Malone, and that he wanted people to remember the film and not our show. Well buy this CD and hear it - it'll prove him wrong!!!

I must admit, my school recently did this play so I am partial to the the music but it really is a great musical in my opinion. Problem is on this album, there are a few children who don't know how to blend with the rest of the ensemble. And, a few songs have re-written a bit which I didn't like but, the melodies are the same and the most of the songs are quite good. I would say I'd recommend it but only if you've seen or been in the play or movie.

I started gettin interested in this musical when my school announced it would be our next major production! So, in preparation i bought the film and this CD album version! Even though the film is now a classic, i think it needs modernising and i think the National Youth Theatre would be a great choice! Talullah and Dandy Dan excell theirselves for their ages! So i auditioned and was offered the part of Dandy Dan! In stupidity i thought i would get to sing my favourite song from the album - That's Why They Call Him Dandy Dan, however, i soon learned that we couldn't! All the film's classics are there with one or two extras. The arousing version of Fat Sam's Grand Slam will get anyone's foot tapping along, and the three part harmonies of Bugsy Malone shine through the famous melody. I personally do not like the version of I'm Feeling Fine. Bugsy's voice is absolutely appauling, perhaps due to the fact that his counter melody is so low. All in all, a good little buy and a must for all Bugsy Malone fans!

I ordered this CD by mistake, thinking it was the soundtrack to the movie of the same name. I listened to it and I was about to return it but I had a change of heart. I thought about how well the music and the performers sound so I decided to keep it.
Additionally, I ordered the actual soundtrack of the movie. If you like musicals performed on stage this CD is for you. Recommended.

I'd written a review about this soundtrack last year, shown on this page. I hadn't realized the soundtrack listed wasn't the original movie soundtrack. I haven't heard the import version, and so cannot review it. Oops. :)

I've been contacted by a few people looking for the original recording. Well, I had a copy of the original soundtrack on an LP. I've loaned it an Amazon reader and Busgy Malone enthusiast and am now looking forward to getting it back, someday. So if you've got a bloodhound to spare, drop me a line and maybe we can talk. :)

Although this recording is the from the orginal cast version and not the movie, it still brought home memories of the songs that made it so rememberable. When compared to the movie version I felt it lacked the raspy voices of song. This version had talented young actors and actresses singing the songs. If you like movie soundtracks then this isn't it, but if you like stage soundtracks then this is it. I'm still searching for the movie soundtrack, but am gladly adding this to my library.

This soundtrack helped turn a charming but mediocre movie into a cherished favorite of my family. The soundtrack is written for the movie and may not make much sense if you haven't seen the movie (which everyone oughta do, at least once, when they are in the mood for a fun B-grade mobster flick), but the songs are all well conceived and done. The movie was a childhood favorite, so I'm still biased towards it in my continuing childhood.