Customer Reviews

Godspell (2000) / New O.C.R.

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This is one of my all-time favorite musicals and {disclaimer} I'm not even Christian. It's high-sprited, positive, sweet and (with one exception that I'll get to later) not preachy. In my opinion, the best version is the movie soundtrack followed closely by the original cast recording.

But onto this version, the 2000 recording of the Off-Broadway revival. Stephen Schwartz himself, the original lyricist, participated in updating the production, including a new prologue which is included on the CD.

To end on a positive note, let's go ahead and get to that parts that were problematic. This version felt a little preachy to me in parts which is (personally) a turnoff but different strokes. I always liked it that they removed my least favorite number, "Learn Your Lessons Well" from the movie but at least the version on here is high-spirited. I just don't find songs about burning in hell to be toe tappers. Some of the female singers suffer from growing up in the Celine/Mariah era. This is most noticeable on Shoshana Bean's rendition of "Bless the Lord." Still you can't help but get chills listening to this number, over-emoting not withstanding.

The Barry White-ish re-working of "Light of the World" was an interesting choice but doesn't really work. And why exactly were the choruses of "Let's have some wine" removed? I'm getting an uncomfortable whiff of evangelical sanitization here. But wait, here come Capathia Jenkins who, if you'll forgive me, sings the hell out of "Turn Back, O Man" and my good feelings were restored. "By My Side" is still starkly lovely and the "Finale" ,which is loyally rendered, still can make you cry. Barrett Foa, who plays Jesus, also has a great voice and presence. The version of Godspell's contribution to the top 40, "Day by Day," is decently done also but-have I mentioned Celine or Mariah already?-it's not my favorite. For the definitive version, seek out the movie soundtrack and Robin Lamont(come to think of it, seek out the late Lynne Thigpen's version of "Bless the Lord" on the same album for Gospel soul that will have Buddhists and Druids dancing in the aisles.)

All in all, some good choices, some questionable ones. A good addition to the Godspell canon but, as they say, if you only buy one version of Godspell, then this isn't the one.

As much as I LOVED the sparkling, expertly updated production that this recording represents, the Cd itself is a mixed bag for GODSPELL fans. It features perhaps the best assembly of voices I have yet heard performing these songs; however, the hip, techno-pop arrangements do not translate with the same electricity they had in person; it does not have the same you-could-play-it-forever-and-ever listenability as the original cast recording and the film soundtrack. It has a harder edge, and the arrangements of Light of the World and the Finale in particular are heavy-handed. Stephen Schwartz' revisited lyrics for the song Beautiful City, which was written for the film, scan oddly in this version, a ballad now placed as a set-up for the last supper. And Tower Of Babel, while wonderful to have on the recording, again places new lyrics (to represent updated philosophers) into the already-written-for-other-lyrics music -- it feels like a misfit. However, for younger audiences just getting into the infinite pleasures of this pop classic theatre piece, you could do much worse than this CD.

I read all the worst reviews about this CD before buying it and I must disagree with them. I have been in Godspell and am currently directing it and this CD is exactly what I was looking for. I wanted a recording that wasn't 20-30 years old but still kept the show accessible to the masses and this version is it. I also own the 2001 Touring as well as the original Broadway and Movie Soundtrack. This recording is actually quite good. The things that I like best is the band and the arrangements of the songs. They are fresh and new but still use an orchestration that can be reproduced by a community theatre. The 2001 was so far out there and "techno" that it is next to impossible to duplicate that in a smaller theatre without major sequencing. This CD feels new and updated without destroying the music that Schwartz wrote. I like it a lot. It is perfect for a director trying to get a feel for the music and wanting someonething new at the same time.

Unlike the spirited but dated original cast recording and the surprising and innovative touring cast, I find this CD to be a comfortable medium. The singing is exceptional, and the Prologue is a great addition to the original without the touring cast's techno style- a style that strikes a sour note for many.

The original cast CD was released without the prologue to make it more appealing as a pop CD (as is noted in the script by the author), and I think that makes a major statement about the music. In the show, each character/song seems to have been given its own style, and while this device works in some shows, their is no cohesion between each song in this one. It is like a buffet of musical styles bookended by the Prologue/Prepare Ye and the Finale. For the kind of show "Godspell" is, however, I do not find this to be a terrible fault.

If you are a fan of contemporary music theater who takes joy in musical motifs and cohesive structure, you may find the music of this show a bit juvenile.

If you just want a great album with some beautiful music, important messages, and a big big heart- this is for you. Individual songs themselves are fantastic, and possess many powerful moments. This show has a great deal of merit, and I highly recommend anyone new to the show to start with this CD.

Having every recording, minus the 2001 tour because i really don't like what i've heard, this seems to have the most heart. the singers believe what they are saying and the cast is amazing. anyone looking for a great recording of this wonderful show should pick this cd up. they will not be disapointed.

I purchased this cd off of Amazon.com and was favorably surprised at its quality. It is a refreshing new look at an older classic. The songs are that same as the original (adding the prologue and beautiful city) , however many of them have a modern pop twist to them. Because my high school is performing this show this year, I was glad to hear a cd that showcased the play, not the movie. My role as Jesus will benefit due to the example set by this cd. The voices were tremendous at comparison with the original CD. Now, don't get me wrong, i loved the original, but some of the voices,I could have done without (example: that guy who sings All Good Gifts!) But, anyway, I encourage both old and new broadway enthusiasts to purchase this cd! This long awaited cd fills the standerds set to any remake. I loved it!! ;o)

This version added some freshness to the early seventies pop sound of the original Godspell, yet pays homage to it in some areas. In some ways I wish they had payed less homage to the 70s, but that's probably a matter of taste. Of all of the available Godspell recordings, this version has the nicest voices and also gives us some of the dialogue to go along with the songs.

There are two areas where I feel this CD falls short. First, when they had the opportunity to really modernize the sound they often didn't--particularly as compared with the 2001 version. The attempts at 70s nostalgia with "retro" versions of some songs are interesting but fall a little short (The "Shaft" style version of "Light of the World" gets old quickly).

All in all, it's a good CD, and still somewhat faithful to the original. If you're looking for a slightly more upbeat version of Godspell with some nice voices, you should like this. If you really want to hear a "modernized" version, try the 2001 CD.

I own 4 recordings of GODSPELL. I have seen 3 productions of it. Without a doubt, this is my favorite of the recordings. I bought it at the same time that I bought the recent touring recording of the show. Let's go...song by song and compare which cast did which better -Opening: Only the touring cast included this song. -Prologue: Definitly the off-Broadway. So heartfelt and not so messy... -Prepare Ye: off-Broadway. LOVE the dialogue. -Save the People: Touring cast. I enjoy the orchestration. -Day by Day: The touring cast's cheesy up-with-people version did not win me over. -Learn Your Lessons Well: off-Broadway! What a fun rendition! The funnest since the original! -Bless the Lord: I don't really care for either rendition...sorry. -All for the Best: Touring cast. More tongue-in-cheek and fun. -All Good Gifts: Touring cast. The cello orchestration is gorgeous (Though the off-Broadway gets brownie points for the dialogue) -Light of the World: Touring cast. The off-broadway's arrangement is horrendous. -Beautiful City: Touring cast. While the off-Broadway's is done well, it cuts out a verse making the song too short to matter. -Turn Back, O Man: off-Broadway. The new arrangment for the tour sucks the fun and humor out of it. -Alas for You: Ooh...this is a toughie. I like the arrangement in the tour, but I like the emotional interpretation in the off-Broadway. You decide which is more important. -By My Side: Off-Broadway. Much more moving. -We Beseech Thee: Ooh, another hard one. Both are just so much fun! Tie on this one. -Day by Day (reprise): Only the tour has this song. -On the Willows: Off-Broadway. Very heart-felt and as usual I'm won over by the dialogue. -Finale: DEFINITLY the Off-Broadway. It is my favorite recording of the finale I have found yet. The tour's feels rushed and doesn't move me half as much. All in all, this is the recording I like the most out of the recordings I've heard. "Long live God"

The first time I heard this CD, I was disgusted. I thought that some songs were just totally destroyed ("We Beseech Thee," and "Light of the World" mainly), and was so thankful for the Natonal Touring Cast CD, which I also have and adore. But after a couple of more listens to this CD... I was just hooked. I fell in love with this thing, playing the songs over and over again. I was in "Godspell" in high school, playing the role that sings "We Beseech Thee," and we of course used the original 1971 arrangements that I love. This recording uses that AND new, cool ones that just send chills down your back. I still am not really favoring "Light of the World," which is good, but doesn't really fit "Godspell." The dialogue throughout scores points, and it's never not appreciated. One of the highlights of this CD is the "Finale" when each cast member sings a line from their song as Jesus is carried to the cross. Oo, I wish I could've seen this one when it was running... I guess the only other complaint I have is the african sounds in "We Beseech Thee." Having singing that when I was in it, that's pretty much my favorite song, but the scat is not really in my favor. It's good, but out of place. Other than that, this is a GREAT CD. It takes a couple of times to warm-up to it, but when you do, you'll totally get into it. Try it!

I have been a huge fan of Godspell for some time now. The music really reaches out spiritually, and touches you like nothing else. Also, if you happen to be a collector of Broadway and Off-Broadway CDs alike, this would be a wonderful addition. It gives a 90's twist to the previous 70's version, which gives it amazing new qualities of which you've never seen.