Customer Reviews

The Last Five Years - Vocal Selections

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Let provide a little more information about this book, which i absolutely love. Like all of the other Jason Robert Brown vocal selections, this one is characterized by complex piano arrangements (for the most part transcriptions of the actual piano parts you hear on the recording). The casual player will find these arrangements MUCH more difficult to play than the average broadway vocal selections (such as Phantom, Les Miz) because they are not simplified. However, the intermediate player will find much to love in these pieces. I think of the JRB trifecta (last 5 years, parade, songs for a new world) to be a pretty great workshop in how to play rock piano accompaniments.

This book is definately my favorite of the 3. The first reason is that it is by far the most complete. All but 2 songs are presented (See I'm Smiling, and A Miracle Would Happen), although a few songs lose interludes (the intro to Still Hurting and the matching exit from Goodbye Til Tommorow). Climbing Uphill is combined into "When you come home to me".

Second, wow, the music. This stuff just feels great under the fingers and I think Brown has really matured as a composer with the variety in this work.

I, like many many others, have fallen in love with the Off-Broadway recording of The Last Five Years. I was also very fortunate to have seen it as well. Awesome show, awesome music. There isn't anything else to say. This is really the best as far as small musicals go in my opinion. Not only is it startling realistic, but the music is sophisticated and the lyrics are complex. But only in the very best ways. So of course, being a thespian I must have the music for this spectacular show so that I can feel somewhat connected to it. Of course there is the benefit of being able to sing the great songs by myself instead of with the recording (which isn't all that bad either). First thing to consider: The music is very difficult to play. The piano score for this is incredibly complex and difficult and hasn't really been toned down from the actual music. Therefore, those looking to get this book for audition songs, I wouldn't reccomend it. Unless the pianist has seen it, is an excellent piano player, and has had time to study it, it will not go over well. You would have be an absolute genius at the piano to be able to sight read this music well. So that is very unfortunate. Another odd thing about this music book is that almost every song in the show is in it. The only ones that aren't in it are See I'm Smiling and A Miracle Would Happen. Usually they leave out more songs than that, but it makes for the fact that you'll probably get everything you're looking for. But this music collection is essential for anyone who loves theatre and wants their own music. Then again, even if you aren't into theatre, the music in this book is also appealing to many who are simply into music itself. A big reccomendation.

Piano playing is my hobby, singing is my passion. The music is not the easiest I've played, but I really bought the book because the songs are great for singing: auditions, cabaret, or just for fun! It's GREAT music! It does not include all the songs on the CD however, but it has the fun ones, so I wasn't too disappointed. It also does not include the haunting little piano ditty that plays at the beginning and the end of the show. The melody is not in the accompaniment, so it's probably not too good for piano solos, but overall, it's a good buy.

This is the best song book that Brown has come out with. When i first heard this music i didn't really like it. Now it has grown on me and i can't stop listening to it. He gets so much emotion i can't believe a human actually wrote this! i also saw the closing show of this in NYC and it really shows that there are 3 sides to a story, his, hers and the truth...

Jason Robert Brown (Tony winner for Parade, and well known by musical theatre enthusiasts for Songs for a New World) has done is again with the fairly unknown and desparately underappreciated 2-person musical, "The Last Five Years." This is indeed some of JRB's greatest lyrics - definitely the most fun to listen to and of course sing. Though not ALL of the songs from the show are included in this selections book (sadly, "see, i'm smiling was excluded) it still includes the best of the best from the wonderfully talent composer and lyricist's 3 broadway show. "Climbing Uphill," "Part of That," "The Schmuel Song," "Shiska Goddess," "Summer in Ohio," and "The Next Ten Minutes are all included, plus others. If you're looking for great music by an even great musical genius, you can stop looking. The book is DEFINITELY for you and you will find everything you look for in vocal selections in this book!!

I thought the music and lyrics were great from this show and two of my friends sang songs from it. One of them gave a really moving rendition of 'See I'm Smiling' and I thought that I had to buy this book. My one disappointment (and the only reason I didn't give it five stars) was that See I'm Smiling wasn't there. I am still trying to find the sheet music for that for an audition. If anyone knows where I can find it please post a message.
Thanx

Technically I should be reviewing the book itself here... lovely print, nice shade of Black, all legible etc... but I think the Musical deserves the real praise. I'm certainly not a JRB buff, I've only heard L5Y and Songs from a new world, but this show is just awesome. Intensely moving, on such an interesting take on the portrayal of a relationship. It's unlikely that anyone reading this will Not have heard the show already, so I'm sure you've already made your own minds up on it's value anyway. Welcome to the fan base!

The music and lyrics from this show are just genius. So beautiful, smart and heartbreaking. My one and only disappointment from the book was that "See I'm Smiling" wasn't in it. Otherwise, I would have given it 5 stars. Shipped right away, good price, and received it before the estimated delivery date.

This book was all I had imagined and more. It's a bit sad that "See I'm Smiling" had to be left out (as well as "A Miracle Would Happen"). But all the songs present are fantastically transcribed and a joy to play, if you're ready to tackle material written by Jason Robert Brown. I bought this book to try some superbly written, fairly challenging musical accompaniment, and I got just that. Vocals and accompaniment are completely separate, which maintains the integrity of the piano part heard in the cast recording, and gives the singer room to shine. This material isn't suitable for too casual a piano player, but if you can play it, this is some of the best musical stuff you can get under your fingers; it just feels right. JRB's music often relies heavily on piano and he is an amazing piano player and composer, so that's not surprising.

The vocal lines and lyrics are also really unique and powerful, and if I had the chops I'd love to sing these songs as well.

Some songs were modified for better flow, removing instrumental or dialogue breaks and such. "Climbing Uphill" is included within "When You Come Home To Me." "Goodbye Until Tomorrow" stands alone, without being juxtaposed with "I Could Never Rescue You," but it still sounds great. "Moving Too Fast" does not have JRB's cadenza in the middle, but that song will probably keep your hands full already.

Besides being musically high-caliber, these songs are that much better for the story they tell. If you don't like this show or JRB's work already, you will!

Book was in fantastic condition for a great price. If you enjoy music, this is a great musical to get into!