Customer Reviews

Fame the Musical (1999 Original American Cast Recording)

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

This Cd is pretty good, but I do need to compare it to the Original London Cast Recording (which is hard to find.) The new Cd certainly has its high points but it also has many weak spots, namely the vocals of the character Carmen (Natasha Rennalls)and Tyrone (Dwayne Chattman). Just for the record, I saw Natasha Rennalls (now Natasha Neary) play the part of Carmen in Los Angeles. She was PHENOMENAL. But this recording does not do her justice. The vocal director has her sing it too bubble gum pop. When I saw her live she didn't sing like that. Also, her dancing was AMAZING, and her stage presence was very commanding. But I do have to complain about the song "In LA" when she takes the key higher to sing, "oh, they know how to do it in L awww." Not LA. L AWWW. What were they thinking? I was so disapointed. If you wanna hear the definitive version of "In LA" get the London Cast sung by unknown DIVA Loraine Velez who belts the song like there's NO tomorrow!

On the plus side there are a lot of great singers on this CD. Miss Sherman (Regina Le Vert) and Miss Bell (Kim Cea) belt their way through "The Teacher's Argument" like it's some kind of singing contest. It's amazing and sung better here than the London Cast. Also Le Vert belting her soulful rendition of "These Are My Children" is wonderful too.

Serena and Nick are great too played by Jennifer Gambatese (Tarzan & All Shook Up) and Gavin Creel (Millie, Mary Poppins). "I Wanna Make Magic" definitely sounds better sung by Creel. His voice is strong and smooth. Gambatese does well with the bulk of the songs "Let's Play A Love Scene" & (reprise), "Think Of Meryl Streep". Although I am partial to the London Cast sung by Gemma Wardle.

One of the roles in this show that always gets the audiences attention is the lovable Mabel, the girl who can't stop eating! Dioni Michelle Collins (Little Shop of Horrors) does well with her one hilarious song "Mabel's Prayer". But if you wanna hear it belted out of this universe, definitely get the London Cast. It's sung by now Sonia Swaby (Gigi MISS SAIGON COMPLETE RECORDING, Nancy "As Long As He Needs ME" from OLIVER in HEY MR PRODUCER! VIDEO) She really knocks it out of the park.

As a whole the Cast works well together to produce a fun filled album but it's too bubble gum, and not dark enough for my liking. Lots and lotsa of energy but maybe too much. Once again, since the London Cast was the first to perform the show, that's the way it was originally intended to be. It's sounds darker.

But on the other hand, a notable plus is that this album features the song when Carmen and Schlomo are rehearsing "Bring On Tomorrow" which is NOT on the London Cast.

I'd give this CD 3 1/2 stars if I could. So there are good and bad, now it's time for you to decide. Now, there is also FAME on 42nd Street. I say get them all to compare, and to enjoy!

I was very excited to receive this C.D.! But, after I listened to it, I wondered if I had just wasted 15 bucks! I must say that this recording is a little weak, but it DOES grow on you! I was upset that the song "Fame" wasn't featured more. It is on the C.D. twice, for like a very short time. Some of the lyrics are cheesy and the man who sings "Can't Keep it Down" has a nasely voice. "Tyrone's Rap" has to be the WORST song I have ever heard on Boardway. What were they thinking? But, all in all, I am now happy w/ my purchase. Although, I think it could have been better, I would recommend this C.D to you if you have extra money and want a high energy musical. But the way, does anyone know where I can find the London cast of this? Thanks

I saw the play and listened to the music a lot. i find that the music puts me in a good mood and i just love broadway music especially fame and les miserables. if you enjoy broadway music you'll love this. I know i do. the cast brings a fresh new way to sing these songs. All of the singers are fun and i love the way "carmen" sings fame. It was an amazing play. Humerous songs( just like reproduction from Grease II. I enjoyed the play/music and highly reccomend this CD for all who enjoy Broadway music. or any other type of music.

I saw the American touring company in Boston last night ("press night") and was blown away. I have seen every musical that is currently up and running on Broadway and have yet to see a show that surpasses Fame in terms of energy, enthusiasm, or even sheer, all-around talent. (And you thought Rent had energy??). The only weakness of the show is that it doesn't follow through on or develop many of the story lines (but that would, of course, take a few more hours and considering the time they had, I think they did a pretty decent job). This recording, however, doesn't do justice to the the outstanding production. The energy and talent simply doesn't transfer well to CD. But please, I almost made the mistake of passing up an opportunity to see Fame because I was upset with the quality of the recording...don't make the same mistake! I'll admit, the music sounds pretty corny in your stereo, but when you see it live...wow. Go see Fame.

As Carmen sings, this is not the movie, not the TV show, but the musical.

My son's school put this on 2 weeks ago and I am hung up on it big time. The script noted that this was not the movie, but I rented that and, basically, it was, with a few modifications. I don't have a problem wth that.

OK, so it dealt with "tough issues" differently, but, hey, no one died in the movie. Carmen did. And from an overdose. After being taken avantage of. OK?

I agree with some reviewers that the soundtrack (I have the '03 Broadway one) lets you relive the play. It does not recreate it. I have listened to it every day since I bought it (much to my son's dismay). And frankly, the white Irsih girl who played Mabel kicked *** twice as well as the woman from the B-way production. And the pro Tyrone was better. Life is like that.

Overall, the tunes are sung in a heartfelt manner and I would say that a person who has seen the play will enjoy the soundtrack.

I think that this cd really rox it has almost all the songs from the real play. Its awesome. I like all the songs on ecspecially the song called lets play a love scene. I also like the song called Pray I make it to P.A. Ilove all the songs but those are the two I like the most!!!!!!!!!Again I think the cd ROX!!!yeah!!!

People seem to think that the Fame soundtrack was better. All I can say, and please excuse me for it: what are you on? I have seen both the play, performed very well by people in Fairbanks (you rock, ppl!) and the movie. And everyone in my family agreed that the movie cannot possibly compare with the play.
I will admit that the title song is one of the best songs in the world. But it's not like they took it out of the play. And while Out Here On My Own had a very pretty tune, in the lyrics department it could not hope to compare with songs like Teacher's Argument or In LA.
Frankly, there were three good songs in the movie and one that has a good dance scene to it but is not really worth listening to. Of those three good songs, one is in the musical and the other two, while still good, just aren't enough to make me agree that the movie soundtrack could ever compare to this soundtrack.
Some people say that the play doesn't touch on important issues like the movie does, and perhaps that is true. But that, it seems to me, is irrelevant while discussing the music, as the music in the movie wasn't about any issues any more than the music in the play is. Another concern is that the lyrics are simplistic. Well, so are the lyrics in the movie. And so are the lyrics to most Abba songs, and most Tatu songs, and most songs in other musicals, say, the Music Man or to some extent Oklahoma and Showboat. Does that make us like them less? You want good lyrics, you go watch something with Sondheim or Cole Porter lyrics.
My favorite song on this would probably be Lets Play A Love Scene. Although Fame, Teacher's Argument, and Bring On Tomorrow are excellent. I rather liked In LA, although I maintain that the person in Fairbanks did it better. I Want To Make Magic was very good on this CD, although the song usually sets my teeth on edge for some strange reason. While I dislike the song Can't Keep It Down, I have no complaints about the singer's voice.
All in all, this would have to be one of my favorite soundtracks. You want deep lyrics? Go somewhere else (but not to Fame the Movie). You want beautiful and often amusing tunes? Here's a good place to look.

I was given this CD a while after seeing the musical at the Victorian State Theatre in Melbourne. Seeing the show definitely captured my spirit and made me want to be in the theatre! The songs definitely do grow on you. My favourite has to be "In LA" where Carmen Diaz sings of her lost dreams and what she's become after being taken advantage of. This CD's been on constant rotation for the past few days, always reminding me of the magic of the theatre - I've only been once! I'll go see anything that has Kelley Abbey in it though - she's the REAL Carmen Diaz!

This is undoubtedly my favourite CD that I have got, and it will be my favourite CD for many years to come. It contains some simply remarkable songs that always make me feel great after a stressful day. Every single track is fantastic. This CD should be part of everyone's collection!

Terrible. Whether or not you saw the movie or the T.V. show or know anything about Fame at all, this is bad. The poorest excuse for a musical of our time. Nothing redeeming whatsoever. I have to wonder about the people who liked this.