Memphis: A New Musical (Orginal Cast Recording) [Cast Recording]

Various Artists (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 30, 2010)
• Original Release Date: 2010
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Cast Recording
• Label: Rhino Records
• ASIN: B0037RBVDI
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #757 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #17 in Music > Broadway & Vocalists > Musicals > General
  • #25 in Music > Miscellaneous
  • #70 in Music > Soundtracks

Editorial Reviews

TURN UP THAT DIAL! From the underground dance clubs of 1950's Memphis, TN, by way of hit runs at the La Jolla Playhouse and Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre, comes a hot new Broadway musical - inspired by actual events - with heart, soul and energy to burn.
MEMPHIS features a brand new score with music by David Bryan (Bon Jovi's founding member/keyboardist)and lyrics by David Bryan and Joe DiPietro (I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change), who also pens the musical's book. MEMPHIS is based on a concept by the late George W. George (producer of the Tony®-nominated Bedroom Farce and the film My Dinner With Andre), with direction by Tony nominee Christopher Ashley (Xanadu), and choreography by Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys).
MEMPHIS takes place in the smoky halls and underground clubs of the segregated 50s, a young white DJ named Huey Calhoun (Chad Kimball) falls in love with everything he shouldn't: rock 'n' roll and an electrifying black singer named Felicia (Montego Glover). MEMPHIS is an original story about the cultural revolution that erupted when his vision met her voice, and the music changed forever.
MEMPHIS stars Chad Kimball (Huey) and Montego Glover (Felicia), with Derrick Baskin (Gator), J. Bernard Calloway (Delray), James Monroe Iglehart (Bobby), Tony nominee Michael McGrath (Mr. Simmons), and Cass Morgan (Mama).
The collection contains 19 songs and a bonus track/acoustic version of 'The Music of My Soul' with piano and vocals by David Bryan.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Memphis lives in ME!, March 30, 2010

By 

C. Miller (Yonkers, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Memphis: A New Musical (Orginal Cast Recording) (Audio CD)

I have been working on this show for three years and still LOVE listening to the music. Even my boyfriend, who does not like musicals, listens to this album in the car, and especially likes the David Bryan track and Chad Kimball's high note in "Memphis Lives in Me." In fact, one of the best days of my life was driving in the car over Christmas and singing "Someday" with my non-musical loving boyfriend. "Someday" was the first song I fell in love with and now the whole thing is a favorite.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lively, fun, and sometimes more..., May 6, 2010

By 

Steven Valenti "svclue" (Cleveland, OH) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Memphis: A New Musical (Orginal Cast Recording) (Audio CD)

With "American Idiot" deemed ineligible, this year's most likely Best Score Tony Winner appears to be "Memphis," by David Bryan and Joe DiPietro, represented on this tuneful cast recording, which recalls the early days of rock n roll. Chad Kimball (excellent) stars as Huey, a white, wannabe disc jockey who falls in love with an African-American singer, Felicia (Montego Glover), and attempts to make her a star in the days of rampant racism.

If that plot sounds potentially heavy, rest assured that for the most part, things are kept light on this disc. In fact, when I first heard this recording, it struck me as a sort of cross between "Dreamgirls" and "Hairspray," without the impact of either. That is, until I got to the bluesy "Colored Woman," in which Felicia rails against the limitations of her race and decides to accept Huey's help. It's sung with such urgent vibrancy by the fantastic Glover that it's become my most-played show tune of 2010 (I bought this cd from the show's web site last December, before it was commercially available, so that's a lot of months of listening to it--and I'm not sick of it yet.).

And the rest of the score has grown on me, too, with "The Music of My Soul," "Memphis Lives in Me," and "Love Will Stand When All Else Falls," among the standouts. My major complaint with "Memphis" is that, given the subject, there really should be some more emotionally-charged, character driven songs along the lines of "Colored Woman." As it is, it comes across as just a bit too watered down, with a few too many songs, catchy as they are, not doing a lot to reveal character. On the other hand, this is a recording I keep coming back to, and I would be perfectly content if "Memphis" wins the Best Score Tony.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The music of my soul, June 19, 2010

By 

K. Sullivan "No accounting for taste..." (Virginia - United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Memphis: A New Musical (Orginal Cast Recording) (Audio CD)

It's the early 1950's in segregated Memphis, Tennessee. Drawn by the music, a young white man, Huey, overcomes his inhibitions and visits a small club in the "dark" part of town. It is run by Delray and features the talent of his younger sister, Felicia. Huey embraces the music with an evangelistic fervency and falls in love with Felicia. Although his feelings are reciprocated, their love is obviously forbidden due to the color of their skin. Huey seeks to spread his new melodious gospel to the masses and Felicia aspires to become a star against a backdrop of social distrust and repression.

This recording is really all about the music and the fantastic performances. Early era rock n' roll dripping with blues, soul, and gospel is very effectively united with the conventions of musical theater. The score is rollicking and rousing. It is impossible not to envision the cast dancing about provocatively and equally difficult not to join in. Traces of themes and melodies from that era are present, but what is lacking in originality is more than made up for in authenticity. The songs possess universal applications that transcend this particular story - whether finding and embracing one's identity ("Memphis Lives in Me") or choosing to overcome some obstacle or oppression ("Colored Woman") or yearning for change ("Say a Prayer"). This accounts for the success of the cast recording even though the show's narrative is not fully captured. Well, this in addition to the great music and delightful performances. Huey, Felicia, and Delray perform their roles brilliantly. Yet as tremendous as the three principals are, they are threatened to be outdone by supporting cast mates Gator and Bobby. The cast is wonderfully talented.

"Memphis" is a great accomplishment in original musical theater. Odds are that those who enjoy this genre or style of music will greatly enjoy this recording.