Jersey Boys (2005 Original Broadway Cast Recording) [Soundtrack]

Ronald Melrose (Performer), Ken Dow (Performer), Anik Oulianine (Performer), Stephanie Cummins (Performer), Deborah Hurwitz (Performer), Kevin Dow (Performer), Joe Payne (Performer), Larry Saltzman (Performer), Dave Spier (Performer), Bill Hayes (Performer), Randall Andos (Performer), Bob Milikan (Performer), Debra Shufelt (Performer), Maxine Roach (Performer), Belinda Whitney (Performer), Cenovia Cummins (Performer), Eric de Gioia (Performer), Louise Owen (Performer), Robin Zeh (Performer), Sarah Schwartz (Performer), Shinwon Kim (Performer), Christian Hoff (Performer), Daniel Reichard (Performer), Donnie Kehr (Performer), Erica Piccininni (Performer), J. Robert Spencer (Performer), Jennifer Naimo (Performer), John Lloyd Young (Performer), Sara Schmidt (Performer), Tituss Burgess (Performer), Steve Orich (Performer), Bob Gaudio (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Ronald Melrose, Ken Dow, Anik Oulianine, Stephanie Cummins, Deborah Hurwitz, et al.
• Audio CD (November 1, 2005)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Rhino
• ASIN: B000BFH2QY
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (378 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #230 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #2 in Music > Broadway & Vocalists > Musicals > Contemporary Musicals
  • #3 in Music > Broadway & Vocalists > Traditional Vocal Pop
  • #6 in Music > Broadway & Vocalists > Musicals > General

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Although it squarely falls in the "jukebox musical" category, Jersey Boys doesn¹t try to integrate its songs in an artificial plotline. The show tells the story of the early-1960s group the Four Seasons, and the musical numbers tend to be introduced in context, as when songwriter Bob Gaudio comes up with a tune, or the quartet performs a show. This allows Jersey Boys to flow better than some of ill-fated peers, and the actors can shine without having to bend backward to accommodate an inane book. The show's most (only) daring move is to start with a hip-hop-tinged French-language version of "December 1963 (Oh, What a Night)," an actual hit in France in 2000. After that it's all VH1-biopic territory, but it's done with so much flair, taste and energy that the ride's a fun one. The Four Seasons had enough hits ("Sherry," "Big Girls Don't Cry," "Rag Doll," etc.) to easily fill an evening at the theater, so it's left to the cast to do right by them. And it does, particularly John Lloyd Young as the band¹s star lead, Frankie Valli. Young hits all the falsetto notes and brings real freshness to the part. His "Can¹t Take My Eyes Off You," a second-act peak, is signed, sealed and delivered with a star's acumen. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Product Description

Recounting the rich history and reliving the timeless sounds of the phenomenal Frankie Vallie & The 4 Seasons, the new Broadway musical Jersey Boys answers the musical-and philosophical question, "How did four would-be wise guys from Newark, NJ, become one of the greatest chart-topping successes in pop music history?" Jersey Boys celebrates legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito, and Nick Massi who, as the 4 seasons, wrote their own songs, invented their own identity, and sold 175 million records worldwide-all before they were 30. Rhino. 2005.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

193 of 198 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars 4th Of July Fireworks Explosion Of A Musical! November 16, 2005

By Anna V. Carroll

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

The August Wilson Theater was filled to the rafters with men and women of a certain age who were definitely of the Frankie Valli Generation. They sat quietly in their conservative dress and spoke quietly as the house lights dimmed. I thought: Well, this is gonna be a dull evening. The first bars of a familiar Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons song played and these old timers (me among them) were on their feet cheering, stomping, clapping, yelling and just dancing in the aisles! And this was how the entire evening went! For one night the cast of 'The Jersey Boys' transformed us back to the 60s and our youth. We were young, perky, full of energy and hope. The world belonged to us.

The show has garnered all of the praise of every newspaper and magazine in NYC. I haven't seen reviews like this in years and years. I thought I knew what to expect before the curtain went up. As fabulous as I assumed singer/actor John Lloyd Young (Frankie Valli) would be, I was not prepared for his incredible voice and talent. It just doesn't get any better than this. This CD is one of the most outstanding Broadway soundtrack ever. And in my 63 years I have purchased more than a few of the classics. This one is an absolute MUST. If you can't fly to NYC to see the show then this is the next best thing.

Each actor/singer was outstanding and worked their butts off. It was an evening of magic that I know I will never see again on Broadway. SEE THIS MUSICAL! And also buy the CD. It's a winner in spades.

70 of 72 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific Cast Recording! March 28, 2006

By AJK

Format:Audio CD

Many people, including myself, are pretty tired of the lackluster "catalog" musicals churned out these days. There are obvioulsy exceptions (I thoroughly enjoyed "Mamma Mia" & "Movin' Out"), but most are dull.

When "Jersey Boys" opened, I didn't give it too much thought, but purchased the cd mostly to hear the show's take on the frankie valli/four seasons catalog. I was totally impressed!

The cast (led by an excellent John Lloyd Young) sounds great, the songs sound great. Seeing the show was simply icing on the cake...oh, what a night!

Best tracks:

Sherry
Big Girls Don't Cry
Walk Like A Man
December 1963 (one of my favorites as a kid)
My Eyes Adored You
Beggin'
Can't Take My Eyes Off You
Who Loves You

Completely deserved the Tonys it received, including Best Musical, Best Actor (John Lloyd Young) & Best Featured Actor (Christian Hoff)!

45 of 47 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars SIMPLY WONDERFUL November 7, 2005

By Robert F. Powers

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

I am simply astounded by this incredible CD. Pitch perfect renditions of 4 Seasons hits such as "Sherry' 'Walk Like a Man' 'Big Girls Don't Cry' 'My Eyes Adored You' 'Rag Doll' and more and the 4 Seasons led by the incredible falsetto of John Lloyd Young as Frankie Valli is simply wonderful. It re-creates an era when teens, quarters in hand, played these songs on jukeboxes all across the country. Those teens have now grown and moved on but this joyful album brings back fond memories of a group whose only aim was to entertain and lift the spirits.