Once: A New Musical (Original Cast Recording) [Cast Recording]

Glen Hansard | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 13, 2012)
• Original Release Date: 2012
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Cast Recording
• Label: SONY MASTERWORKS
• ASIN: B006ZKAG3U
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (104 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #389 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #6 in Music > Broadway & Vocalists > Traditional Vocal Pop
  • #10 in Music > Broadway & Vocalists > Musicals > General
  • #25 in Music > Soundtracks

Editorial Reviews

Once is the celebrated new Broadway show based on the Academy Award-winning film. The show includes all of the beloved songs written by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová for the critically acclaimed film. The score features the Oscar-winning hit "Falling Slowly," as well as two new songs, "Abandoned in Bandon" and the Czech folk song "Ej Pada Pada Rosicka." One of the most unique elements of this musical is that the 13-member cast of the show act, sing and play all of the instruments: there is no orchestra or separate band. A distinctive aspect to the cast album is that it was produced allowing these talented actors/musicians to record the music in the same style and environment as their stage show. This special recording process not only showcases the gorgeous new orchestrations by Martin Lowe, but also captures the live essence of this extraordinary ensemble.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

54 of 58 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Equal to, but different from the soundtrack March 25, 2012

By Scott Chamberlain VINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD

Let's cut to the chase--it's hard to have an objective opinion of the new cast album of "Once." As is increasingly the trend for Broadway shows, "Once" is based on a movie, and a very unusual movie at that. The movie was a delicate, wispy story of two musicians meeting, transforming each other's lives and, in a bittersweet ending, moving on to chase their respective destinies. The "love, not-love" story was powerful because it was so restrained; as their time together was so brief it felt like an extended first date, with all the reservations, hopes, and potentialities involved. As it turns out, the story had extra poignancy in that it mirrored the real-life experiences of the principal actors, Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, who briefly became a couple and then similarly moved on. "Once" was a tiny movie made for almost nothing, but it has had an outsized impact on everyone I know who saw it.

The obvious question is it appropriate to bring this to *Broadway*? Would a full-blown production ruin the essence of the story, or be a tonic in today's era of over-the-top offerings? Unthinkable or a blessing?

I'll leave off reviewing the show here, and focus on the recording at hand. I'll begin by saying that your enjoyment of the cast album of "Once" will be colored by a whole slew of external factors. The original movie soundtrack was done in indy-rock, pseudo-celtic style. Those drawn to those musical stylings, and the unique vocals of Hansard and Irglová, might very well dismiss the new cast recording as cover album by singers who just don't get it. For those who have not heard the soundtrack, or like more of a pop sound, this won't be an issue and the power of the songs will come shining through.... For what it's worth, I love the soundtrack, but Hansard's raw, quasi-angry sound as he belts the power anthems makes them a bit wearying after repeated hearings. Hansard's cast album counterpart Steve Kazee can still belt it, just in a different vocal style.

The songs themselves are, as they were in the movie, fantastic. What's curious is that there are no real "book numbers" in the show, and yet they're all book numbers. That was another paradox in the movie... since the story is about song-writing musicians, there are countless opportunities for them to unselfconsciously insert songs into the story: "Hey could you help me with a lyric here?" "I want to run through a new piece before I perform it, care to listen?" Recording sessions and performances happen onstage. But the songs capture the character's feelings, fears and hopes and move the story forward. "Falling Slowly" is again breathtaking, capturing the tentative, budding feelings between the principals. "If You Want Me" is a powerful ballad of a woman trapped in a complicated relationship that should have universal appeal. "When Your Mind's Made Up" remains a powerful angst-ridden cry against a doomed relationship. Hansard and Irglová wrote two new songs that fit well with the others: "Abandoned in Brandon" and "Ej Pada Pada Rosicka," both given to secondary characters that bulk up the story, and more importantly, strengthen the mood. All in all, I have to say that while the score wasn't written for the stage originally, it *fits* the stage magnificently--far better than many new shows and far better than it should.

The cast performers are great. Cristin Milioti and Steve Kazee obviously don't bring the authenticity of Hansard and Irglová as the original (and real-life) couple, but they succeed brilliantly in this new medium and totally own the songs. Milioti has a velvety sound that can still hit like a hammer when needed. Kazee's voice is less steely than Hansard's but carries through with all the same emotion. The stage musicians follow the trend of recent performances of "Sweeney Todd," "Company," among others in that they stay onstage throughout and play their own instruments. Captured on disc, they sound fantastic, easily mastering the different styles of music and playing with cohesive power. In short, they sound like a real band. I have to say the cast album is more... "polished" than the soundtrack. Some will scream that makes it less authentic, but it also creates a richer listening experience.

I won't say the new cast recording is better than the soundtrack--they're very different as befits two different mediums. But I will say the new recording is fantastic. Give it a listen. Read more ›

26 of 28 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Different, but equal to the movie soundtrack March 29, 2012

By Scott Chamberlain VINE™ VOICE

Format:MP3 Music

Let's cut to the chase--it's hard to have an objective opinion of the new cast album of "Once." As is increasingly the trend for Broadway shows, "Once" is based on a movie, and a very unusual movie at that. The movie was a delicate, wispy story of two musicians meeting, transforming each other's lives and, in a bittersweet ending, moving on to chase their respective destinies. The "love, not-love" story was powerful because it was so restrained; as their time together was so brief it felt like an extended first date, with all the reservations, hopes, and potentialities involved. As it turns out, the story had extra poignancy in that it mirrored the real-life experiences of the principal actors, Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, who briefly became a couple and then similarly moved on. "Once" was a tiny movie made for almost nothing, but it has had an outsized impact on everyone I know who saw it.

The obvious question is it appropriate to bring this to *Broadway*? Would a full-blown production ruin the essence of the story, or be a tonic in today's era of over-the-top offerings? Unthinkable or a blessing?

I'll leave off reviewing the show here, and focus on the recording at hand. I'll begin by saying that your enjoyment of the cast album of "Once" will be colored by a whole slew of external factors. The original movie soundtrack was done in indy-rock, pseudo-celtic style. Those drawn to those musical stylings, and the unique vocals of Hansard and Irglová, might very well dismiss the new cast recording as cover album by singers who just don't get it. For those who have not heard the soundtrack, or like more of a pop sound, this won't be an issue and the power of the songs will come shining through.... For what it's worth, I love the soundtrack, but Hansard's raw, quasi-angry sound as he belts the power anthems makes them a bit wearying after repeated hearings. Hansard's cast album counterpart Steve Kazee can still belt it, just in a different vocal style.

The songs themselves are, as they were in the movie, fantastic. What's curious is that there are no real "book numbers" in the show, and yet they're all book numbers. That was another paradox in the movie... since the story is about song-writing musicians, there are countless opportunities for them to unselfconsciously insert songs into the story: "Hey could you help me with a lyric here?" "I want to run through a new piece before I perform it, care to listen?" Recording sessions and performances happen onstage. But the songs capture the character's feelings, fears and hopes and move the story forward. "Falling Slowly" is again breathtaking, capturing the tentative, budding feelings between the principals. "If You Want Me" is a powerful ballad of a woman trapped in a complicated relationship that should have universal appeal. "When Your Mind's Made Up" remains a powerful angst-ridden cry against a doomed relationship. Hansard and Irglová wrote two new songs that fit well with the others: "Abandoned in Brandon" and "Ej Pada Pada Rosicka," both given to secondary characters that bulk up the story, and more importantly, strengthen the mood. All in all, I have to say that while the score wasn't written for the stage originally, it *fits* the stage magnificently--far better than many new shows and far better than it should.

The cast performers are great. Cristin Milioti and Steve Kazee obviously don't bring the authenticity of Hansard and Irglová as the original (and real-life) couple, but they succeed brilliantly in this new medium and totally own the songs. Milioti has a velvety sound that can still hit like a hammer when needed. Kazee's voice is less steely than Hansard's but carries through with all the same emotion. The stage musicians follow the trend of recent performances of "Sweeney Todd," "Company," among others in that they stay onstage throughout and play their own instruments. Captured on disc, they sound fantastic, easily mastering the different styles of music and playing with cohesive power. In short, they sound like a real band. I have to say the cast album is more... "polished" than the soundtrack. Some will scream that makes it less authentic, but it also creates a richer listening experience.

I won't say the new cast recording is better than the soundtrack--they're very different as befits two different mediums. But I will say the new recording is fantastic. Give it a listen. Read more ›

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars fell quickly March 22, 2012

By terence reisman

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

It's a bit risky to adapt a story behind an indie small budget film to the Broadway stage. But when your listening to such gorgeous melodies sung by actors with beautiful voices perfect for musicals and this score, then something magical happens. The music is wonderful and I hope I will be able to experience this on the stage. In the meantime, the recording will have to suffice.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I Was Afraid Of Picking This Up May 1, 2012

By John Terry VINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD

The movie "Once" and the accompanying songs are sacred ground for me. I have an emotional attachment to both that is a little difficult for me to explain. There is an openness and honesty to the songs that speaks to me. There's an incredible emotional fearlessness to The Frames/The Swell Season tunes that make up the soundtrack that's altogether rare. So, on to the Broadway cast album. It's different in the fact that every single cast member is a musician and all perform on stage and in this album. If you watch the videos circulated by the musical on YouTube, recording the album was a shared communal experience with the entire cast gathering in the studio to lay down the tracks just as they perform them each night on stage. There is a keen awareness that they are dealing with a devoted fan base. They knew they couldn't just come off sounding like a "Once Tribute Band" but nor could they wonder off on some wild tangent. The album doesn't have the street busker sound to it but that's to be expected, I think. Kazee outshines Milioti ever so slightly but if you take into account, the fact she has no formal musical training, she's more than equal to the task. She was good enough to be included in a solo album that Glen Hansard recorded while living in New York and working with the cast. Milioti professed to being nervous when playing Marketa Irglova's songs back for her but found her to be a kind and nurturing presence. It's a real testament to Kazee and Milioti that they can take material that means so much to so many and make it their own.