Passing Strange [Soundtrack]

Original Broadway Cast (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 15, 2008)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Ghostlight
• ASIN: B00199PPRE
• Also Available in: MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #43,600 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Prologue (We Might Play All Night)

2. Baptists Fashion Show

3. Medley: Church Blues Revelation/Freight Train

4. Arlington Hill

5. Sole Brother

6. Must Have Been High

7. Mom Song

8. Merci Beaucoup, M. Goddard

9. Amsterdam

10. Keys (Marianna)

11. Keys (It's Alright)

12. We Just Had Sex

13. Stoned

14. Berlin: A Black Hole With Taxis

15. May Day (There's A Riot Goin' Down)

16. Medley: What's Inside Is Just A Lie/And Now I'm Ready To Explode

17. Identity

18. The Black One

19. Come Down Now

20. Youth's Unfinished Song

See all 24 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Following in the footsteps of Duncan Sheik and Spring Awakening, L.A.’s Stew (who’s released albums both solo and with his band, The Negro Problem) made the transition from the pop-rock scene to Broadway in 2008. The show for which he wrote the book and score, Passing Strange, was not as commercially successful as Spring Awakening, but from a musical point of view, it’s an even better, very funny, wildly inventive gem about shaping your identity. Backed by a rocking quartet that includes co-composer Heidi Rodewald on bass, Stew himself acts/sings the narrator, leading us through the coming of age of his hero, Youth (Daniel Breaker), from Southern California to Amsterdam to Berlin and back. Recorded live, this album captures the score’s energy and depth. The songs can be hard-hitting ("Merci Beaucoup, M. Godard," "Berlin: A Black Hole with Taxis"), but Stew writes particularly lovely ballads, like the heartbreaking "Arlington Hill," "Keys," "Come Down Now" and "Work the Wound," which gains power as it builds up to an angry climax. This is a great score that deserves to be heard. -- Elisabeth Vincentelli

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't 'pass' this up... July 15, 2008

By Steven Valenti VINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD

"Passing Strange" is yet another outstanding new cast recording, following closely after the irresistible Tony-winner "In the Heights" and the edgy, off-broadway stunner "Adding Machine." I'm a happy musical fan right now-- all three will be on my list of the decade's best.

More than just being exemplary recordings of essential new scores, all three also represent completely different musical types-- put them together and you have a great showcase for how fantastically varied musicals are. "In the Heights" features catchy Latin-pop and rap, "Adding Machine" is an eclectic, rhythmic original, and here's "Passing Strange," the most authentic rock score since "Hedwig and the Angry Inch."

"Authentic" is, in fact, probably the best word to describe "Passing Strange." With music by Stew (who also stars as the narrator of this autobiographical piece, and won a Tony for the show's book) and Heidi Rodewald, this is the story of a black "Youth" (Daniel Breaker) who leaves behind his middle class background to set out on a journey of self-discovery. Although the character is a musician at odds with black stereotypes, who goes as far away as Amsterdam and Berlin on his search for the "Real," the themes, of course, are universal-- growing up, finding your niche, accepting yourself. It's all relayed with great feeling and humor by Stew-- his connection to the music is palpable, and indeed it's hard to imagine anyone else performing "Passing Strange." This is his story, and a glimpse into his soul.

And what a great collection of songs.... One of the pleasures of the recording is how varied the songs are-- there's a stylistic jolt from track to track, from the rock-gospel "Church Blues Revelation/ Freight Train," to the haunting "Arlington Hill," the affectingly poignant "Keys," and the tour-de-force breakdown-in-song "Identity." That last one is performed so electrically by Daniel Breaker that it's hard to believe he wasn't handed a Tony for his efforts (he's excellent throughout). The recording also more than deserves its "explicit content" advisory--profanities and drug references abound (with highlights like "Amsterdam" and "Stoned," it's not hard to see why). Fantastic listening. Read more ›

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A modern day Pippin... The REAL Deal August 2, 2008

By K. Sullivan VINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

In 1972, Broadway presented a young prince who yearned desperately to find something "completely fulfilling" in life. That prince was Pippin, son of Charles the Great. He sought for meaning and fulfillment in higher learning, war, sex, politics, religion, art, love and other things. Though set in the Roman Empire in the 9th century, Pippin's quest for purpose was representative of Everyman. Now in 2008, that quest is refreshingly and satisfactorily undertaken by the "Youth" in the phenomenal new musical, Passing Strange.

Passing Strange is subtitled "The Stew Musical" because it presents a semiautobiographical sketch of Stew; the writer of the book and lyrics, co-writer of the music, and the narrator in this recording. Stew's journey, though particularly his own (a California man's search for himself through Amsterdam and Berlin), is also universal. The main character, Youth, is searching for something real, or more poignantly, THE REAL. Not unlike Pippin, his search leads to experimentation with church, drugs, sex, philosophy/rebellion, music, etc. Throughout his journey, every new interest ends up a passing phase. No matter how exciting at first, each ends in ennui. In his words, "She's serving every one of my desires on a platter, but it doesn't even matter anymore... Paradise is a bore." His mother's experience is the same, "Having a big ol' house should make a woman sing... But then you gotta live in it and that's a whole `nother thing." The youth's path leads him in a roundabout from epiphany and fervor to emptiness and confusion.

What's this life for? Perhaps the answer to this universal question is uniquely personal. I am reminded of another musical, the musical episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer - "Once More with Feeling" (season six).... Buffy finds herself struggling with life, yearning for something worth singing about. Spike's response, "Life's not a song, life isn't bliss. Life is just this: it's living." Stew sums it up this way: "The Real is a construct... It's the raw nerve's private zone... It's a personal sunset... You drive off into alone." As Pippin's narrator might have said, "Ta-da". Meaning, fulfillment, purpose... they are uniquely our own. So we live.

Beyond the meaning, the story is conveyed with wit, humor, and sincerity. Additionally, this production rocks! Stew, Heidi, and the band have nailed each number taking us authentically from a Holy Ghost Church service to angry punk to a German art-house and beyond. The band and actors all do a fantastic job - beautiful voices, cute accents, believable and touching portrayals. It is even more amazing when considered that this recording is a live performance. Passing Strange succeeds brilliantly both musically and narratively. Read more ›

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Grows On You October 25, 2008

By AJK

Format:Audio CD

When I saw "Passing Strange" last May, I left feeling that I had just witnessed something new (& even amazing), but couldn't really summarize my impression and wasn't sure if the piece was meant for Broadway. The cast members, led by Stew and Daniel Breaker, were all excellent.

The score is fresh, but only a couple of songs, "Keys" and "Amsterdam", seemed memorable at the time. Upon repeated listenings of the cd, however, many others jumped out as well. Feels more and more like a a great rock record. Terrific!

Best Songs:

Amsterdam
Keys (Marianne)
Keys (It's Alright)
We Just Had Sex
Come Down Now
Love Like That

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars FANTASTIC September 30, 2008

By Coco

Format:Audio CD

I was one of the lucky ones who got to see Passing Strange while on Broadway in New York. What struck me about the show was that this is unforgiving rock and roll. It never slips into "Broadway" like most other rock shows do. The story line is moving and the music is just amazing. I listen to it over and over and over. Even if you don't know the play, the music is just fantastic and you get a clear understanding of the story line just through the lyrics. MY FAVORITE CD OF 2008.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A "STEW To Savor August 31, 2008

By Ray Charles

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

While Rodgers and Hammerstein and Andrew Loyd Webber are booming on Broadway, some interesting new voices are being heard and Stew is among the best. The style is contemporary and should be heard by everyone, but unfortunately the show had to clsoe because business is business and not enough people showed up to support it. Their loss, but you can get a feel for this exuberant score from the excellent cast recording.