Customer Reviews

Martin Guerre (1999 UK Tour Cast)

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(11)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

I've been a fan of Martin Guerre since hearing the 1996 recording last year. That was the recording I fell in love with, and so I was a little sceptical to hear this new version. I knew that the show had gone through a ton of changes and wasn't sure that I would like that. And on first listen of the '99 CD, I didn't. But after a while it started to grow on me. The performers are all much better than the majority of performers on the OLC. Sure, Jérôme Pradon's Guillaume on the OLC was amazing, but Maurice Clarke is almost as great! And Matt Cammelle is 10,000 times better than Iain Glen! I miss some of the old songs like "Welcome Home" with all its exuberance and "Me", which although it is essentially "Who?", is a much better song. But the new show has numbers like "Live With Somebody You Love" that just blow you away. After I got used to the new recording and started, I believe, to like it even more than the old, I still missed the energy of the OLC. It seemed to be missing that vitality that had really made me fall in love with the show. But after having seen Martin Guerre in Minneapolis this past weekend, I've found that the new version really is as full of life as the old - it just wasn't translated quite as well to the recording. The one complaint that I really have about both recordings is that they don't include enough music! There are some great pieces in the show that are not on either recording, and I wish that there was a more complete one. Two bits in particular are "Dear Louison" and "Benoit's Lament", both of which are wonderful songs not included on the '99 CD. Benoit is very much a crowd favorite - it seems strange that they would only include one of his songs("Who?") on the latest recording. Overall, the '99 recording is absolutely amazing - wonderful singers and beautiful music. But the show is 100 times more astounding in person!

Whenever changes so drastic are made in a musical, there's bound to be some things people don't like. The new Martin Guerre does have some flaws, but, for that matter, so did the old one. It's true, a lot of the courtroom scenes and the Catholic/Protestant struggle were better played in the old story, but several sections have been greatly improved. Disregard the track listing printed above -- they are for the old version. The new version of "The Imposter is Here" is much sharper and better arranged, the new songs for Martin and Arnaud "Live With Sombody You Love" and "Without You as a Friend" are wonderful pieces. The inclusion of the jail sequence ("Why?") and Betrande's persecution by the village make the climax of the show infinitely more powerful, and, contrary to popular opinion, I think "How Many Tears," "Don't," and "Who?" are definite improvements over "When Will Someone Hear," "Tell Me to Go," and "Me" from the old recording. Overall, both recordings are great and worth buying, each having some parts better and some parts worth than the other. You won't regret purchasing this CD.

The music was well done, but after hearing the American cast at the Kennedy Center with Erin Dilly, Hugh Panaro and Stephen R. Buntrock, I am not sure I can listen to the CD again with as much enjoyment. If you're simply a fan of the musical itself, then go for it. In the grand scheme, it isn't bad. Otherwise, wait to see if another version with the American cast emerges.

I saw Martin Guerre on tour in December, 1999. It was acted well, but I could barely stay awake in the first act. I found the second act much more compelling, but the story was choppily laid out, the musical similarities to Miss Saigon and Les Miserables were too distracting and the "bigness" of too many of the musical pieces was overwhelming. One song, however, made me want to listen to the music again. The reprise of "Live With Somebody You Love" was worth the ticket price. It was very powerful, compelling and wrought with emotion (the performer seemed to have saved himself for that one number). When I ordered the CD of the London Cast, I was disappointed to find that the reprise doesn't seem to be the same version as performed in the show I saw. If it is, then I can't explain why it doesn't have a strong impact on me. Happily, the first version of the song on the CD is very pleasing, moving and sung well. I listen to it over and over. You'll do the same if you like to sing the "big" male lead songs in shows. Even better, all of the music seems better listening to it on the CD than seeing it performed in the show. I can just imagine an orchestra, soloists and choir performing this to enthusiastic audiences. Where the music was too often "big" on stage, the same affect isn't felt when just listening to it without dialogue. Plus, the story is not lost by cutting the dialogue. Some of the more poignant songs also come across better on the CD; I love the duet of "Don't". It's a shame that the show wasn't developed well enough for Broadway success (the overwrought version I saw doesn't deserve to go to Broadway, anyway), but I am glad to have the CD in my Broadway collection.

I cannot compare this to the original show. However, I can compare it to the heart wrenching emotion expressed in Les Miz and Miss Saigon. I have only listened to this CD a few times, but I am becoming a fan. True, it is not even close to the drained feeling I always have after listening to Miss Saigon. But the songs are beautiful, and contain honest emotion. I haven't yet shed a tear after listening, but I suspect after repeated listenings, the true depth of the characters will overtake me one day. Though I am starting to see a pattern in Boublil and Schonberg's shows, it is still a pattern I enjoy.

My only serious dissapointment is that the whole play was not included. I am a purist, and want it all. But, for what is here (about 1 1/4 hrs of songs), real fans will enjoy it.

1. to correct a previous commentor... the cast on this album is NOT the cast that is performing the US tour, and will NOT be the cast on broadway. this album is the 1999 UK cast. there was an entirely new cast brought in for the US tour.

2. i saw the show in minneapolis and thought it was wonderful. i have not heard the 'original cast' (1996), so i cant compare the difference in the shows, but the version i saw showed plenty of promise to be a hit when it reaches broadway. the singers were awesome and the choreography was amazing.

see this show!

buy this album!

-- or wait for the broadway cast album to come out

Martin Guerre has had a long and troubled saga, not to mention far under-recorded, and this album is not quite the end result of that. Essentially, Boublil & Schönberg's 4th musical (after La Revolution Francaise, Les Miserables, and Miss Saigon) was not initially successful in London (we'll call this version 1.0). It was reworked, and debuted again to critical acclaim. A single-disc highlights version of the show was made during the transition to version 2.0. It's a great CD, but rather rare. A "Making of" video was also recorded, with the intent of releasing a film of version 2.0, but the video was only released in the UK, and the film never came about. The show was further revised before it closed in London, which we'll call version 3.0.

Stephen Clark had been reworking Edward Hardy's lyrics for versions 2.0 and 3.0, and when a re-envisioning of Martin Guerre came about for a UK tour, he rewrote the entire libretto dramatically, removing all of Hardy's material. The orchestra was scaled down severely, the orchestrations totally rethought, and everything generally remade for a smaller version of the musical. This is version 4.0, and was recorded for this album. Further revisions were made for the American tour, version 5.0, and it's unfortunate that some of them were never recorded--most of the lyrics that are not satisfactory in version 4.0 are quite excellent in 5.0.

So, on to the album itself. I'd just like to say that it does a magnificent job of telling the story of Martin Guerre without the full score present--better, I'd say, than the Original London Cast album. It also has a very distinct feel to it that will grow on you as you listen to it.

As for the songs themselves, the best of the lot lyrically are probably "I'm Martin Guerre," "God's Anger," "The Revelation," "Who?," "The Imposter is Here," and "Justice Will Be Done." Some songs are particularly ineffective, such as the first part of "The Deluge" (until it is a pre-prise of "God's Anger") and "The Day Has Come" (after Bertrande's solo beginning). They do convey the story concepts...just not particularly well.

The music of Martin Guerre is great. Even in this simplified, synth-heavy version, it comes through loud and clear. There's a bit of a heavy sound to the music, but it does fit in with the peasant theme of the show. Do I consider it Schönberg's finest composition? In many places, I do prefer Les Miz for his music, I'll admit. Still, there are moments when the score just works beautifully (listen to the lines "...Yes! I'm Martin Guerre! For they will learn when I return that I belong!" for an example) in this album. The orchestrations were a lot grander in the 1996 album, but you can still appreciate Schönberg's genius on the 1999 recording.

Then there's the best reason of all to buy the album: the cast. Stephen Weller is an excellent Martin Guerre, particularly in the title song. His command of the part is certainly commendable. Likewise, Matthew Cammelle likewise makes a great Arnaud du Thil, bringing life to the part, working well with Weller's Martin and with Joanna Riding's Bertrande. Speaking of Joanna Riding's Bertrande, listen to her solo portion in "The Day Has Come"...what a performance! Her voice has a sort of imperfect-yet-better-than-perfect quality that comes off with incredible honesty. The fourth central character, Guillaume, is played admirably by Maurice Clarke. Clarke occasionally sounds like the role's London originator, Jerome Pradon, but the more you listen to his performance, the more its individual nuances stick--the tone of his voice in parts just sounds perfect for the role. Having listened to clips of the American production, I can honestly say I wish the chorus had not been tacked on to the end of "Justice Will Be Done" so that Clarke could've finished the song with flair (as Pradon did with its predecessor "I Will Make You Proud" in the 1996 OLC). The ensemble has a similarly appropriate flair to it, and someone looking for a really great cast on a cast album shouldn't pass up this recording of Martin Guerre.

In total, I don't think that this album is the equal to its 1996 predecessor, simply because the structure and lyrics for the new version of the show were not yet as refined as they would be--and, as such, there are some definite rough spots. However, on the whole the album is pretty dang good. Although unfortunately just a highlights disc, this is the version of Martin Guerre that is out there right now, and anyone interested will be best off picking up this album. Unfortunately, the show has yet to reach Broadway--until then, albums are all that American fans really have, and this album is just about it. Certainly, if you're a fan of Boublil and Schönberg, pick this CD up. Don't be turned away by the horror stories from die-hard OLC fans--it's considerably better than many will admit.

This new version of Martin Guerre is much better. First, the performances are Much better. Though Rebecca Lock's performance on the old version was wonderful, Joanna Riding's REALLY GREAT. The Arnuad and Martin are also much better. The one, very small, drawback is the orchestra. I loved the huge orchestra on the original cast recording. The small orchestra uses keyboards a lot and takes a little bit away from the music but not enough to spoil the story. The Music is very moving and draws you into the story. The Lyrics are much better. I will be seeing the show on its pre-Broadway tour when it comes to Detroit, MI in December. I can't wait to FINALLY see Martin Guerre on stage! All in all, A GREAT must-have CD for any Boublil and Schonberg Fan!!!

Dare I say it??? Tony Award for BEST MUSICAL????

As a big fan of Les Miserables and Miss Saigon, I was naturally attracted to Martin Guerre. I was quite impressed with the original recording. The voices were beautiful, the storyline reasonably sound and the overall effect powerful. The original version of "Bethlehem" was remarkable, along with "No" and "Someone."

The 1999 version is quite different, but after several playings, even better. The storyline has been given more intensity and conflict. The music has become more powerful, emotionally satisfying, intense. "Bethlehem," once a beautiful choral piece which could almost be mistaken for a Christmas carol has been transformed into "The Holy Fight," complete with battle drums and remarkable intensity. The battle between the Catholics and Protestants has been heightened with issues of witchcraft. One disappointment: a critical new piece, "Live With Someone You Love," is forced and a bit schmaltzy. Perhaps it sounds better live than on CD, but it didn't add much for me.

However, without question, the new "Martin Guerre" is a valuable, satisfying addition to a Broadway enthusiast's CD collection.

This new "Martin Guerre" is far superior to the mediocre London Production release. Although the 1999 version is hurt by the lack of a full orchestra, the composers Boubil and Schonberg have rewritten every song...tossed out some of the bad ones; such as the dragging "Sleeping on Our Own", and added such brilliant romantic numbers such as "Live With Somebody You Love." The vocalist Joanna Riding (Betrande) has lungs of steel as she carries her masterfully numbers. If you were a fan of the original Martin Guerre, you will find the songs you enjoyed to be redone in a much superior manner. I would strongly recommend "Martin Guerre" to any fan of "Les Miz," or "Miss Saigon", as well as the fan of any love story. Boubil and Schonberg, showing they still have what it takes, created a third hit!