Pippin (A Decca Broadway Original Cast Album) [Cast Recording, Extra tracks, Original recording remastered]

Stephen Schwartz (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 26, 2000)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Cast Recording, Extra tracks, Original recording remastered
• Label: Decca Broadway
• ASIN: B00004YNGH
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (80 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,700 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #22 in Music > Broadway & Vocalists > Musicals > Contemporary Musicals

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording

A young man graduates from college and wonders how to find real meaning in his life. What's an heir to the 9th-century Holy Roman Empire to do? If you're Pippin, son of Charlemagne, you decide to dabble in war, sex, and politics before finally finding love. When Bob Fosse directed the original Broadway production of Pippin in 1972, he transformed what had originally been a relatively innocent college project for composer-lyricist Stephen Schwartz into a burlesque filled with broad comedy, bawdy characters, and magical but dark situations. John Rubinstein (best known for his TV work and son of pianist Artur) plays the title character, and Ben Vereen kick-started his career (and won a Tony) as the narrator figure known as the Leading Player. Schwartz's combination of Godspell-like ensemble energy with various pop-rock styles makes for a snappy, tuneful score, including the soul-driven opener "Magic to Do," the soaring "Corner of the Sky," the lovely ballads "With You" and "Love Song," and the romping "No Time at All" (delivered with saucy conviction by The Beverly Hillbillies' Irene Ryan as Pippin's grandmother).

While the original CD release was somewhat notorious for its lack of liner notes, the 2000 remastered release includes an essay on the show's creation, a detailed synopsis, and full lyrics, as well as three bonus tracks. Pippin was originally released on the Motown label, so some of its songs were cross-promoted by Motown stars: The Supremes deliver a conventional take on the gentle "I Guess I'll Miss the Man," the Jackson 5 deliver a blast of high-pop energy to "Corner of the Sky," and Michael Jackson solos on "Morning Glow." --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Charming, February 4, 2005

By 

Gary F. Taylor "GFT" (Biloxi, MS USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Pippin (A Decca Broadway Original Cast Album) (Audio CD)

Stephen Schwartz's PIPPIN received mixed reviews when it opened on Broadway in 1972; most critics felt that both script and score were weak and the worth of the play was in Bob Fosse's staging. Ticket sales were slow until the play's producers broke with tradition and aired local television spots for the show, thus giving PIPPIN the surprising distinction of being the first Broadway show advertised via commercial.

PIPPIN went on to run a very respectable 1944 performances, and in spite of what critics thought about it in 1972 it has proven an audience favorite over the years, frequently revived on both the professional and amateur stage. First filmed before a live audience on video in 1981 with a cast that included Ben Vereen, William Katt, Chita Rivera, and Martha Raye, the screen rights were purchased by Miramax in 2003--so it is entirely possible that there may one day be a big screen version as well.

Depicted as a sort of vaudeville as seen through the eyes of a troop of strolling players, the story concerns Prince Pippin, son of King Charlemagne--an idealistic young man who longs to find a deep meaning to his life only to be thrust from one meaningless pursuit to another. A host of witty, pop-inflected songs provide the linchpins as he moves from adventure to adventure.

The star of the show is very much Ben Vereen, and it is easy to tell why he picked up a Tony: his work is gleeful, amusing, mischievous in such selections as "Magic To Do," "Glory," "On The Right Track" and the disturbing "Finale." Leland Palmer, who was often associated with Fosse (she would appear as a take on Gwen Verdon in Fosse's autobiographical film ALL THAT JAZZ) also gives a wickedly funny turn as the evil Queen Fastrada with "Spread a Little Sunshine."

The remaining cast is unexpected, for they were not best known for their vocal talents--but each emerges as remarkably effective and completely charming. John Rubinstein is extremely good in the title role, his clean and unaffected voice perfect for "Corner of the Sky," the beautiful and grossly underrated "With You," and "Morning Glow." Jill Clayburg is equally affecting; "Kind of Woman" is easily one of the most witty songs to come out of 1970s theatre. And then there is Irene Ryan.

Ryan was, of course, best known for her role as Granny on the long running television series The Beverly Hillbillies--but she was also an award winning actress with a very long career on stage and radio. PIPPIN would be her last work; she died during the run. But fortunately this recording preserves her brilliantly performed "Time To Start Living," a number that brought down the house with every show.

All of these songs are beautifully and loving preserved on this remaster, available to enjoy for decades to come. Recommended.
GFT, Amazon Reviewer

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars OUTSTANDING...NO IFS, ANDS, OR BUTS...SIMPLY OUTSTANDING!, December 31, 2000

By 

Lawyeraau (Balmoral Castle) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Pippin (A Decca Broadway Original Cast Album) (Audio CD)

Having seen and heard the original cast when Pippin first opened on Broadway in late 1972, I was delighted to find this CD. Having always loved this musical, I had it on vinyl, but needed a more updated version. I got it, played it, and the memories came flowing back. I was fortunate to have seen Ben Vereen's star making, show stopping, Tony award winning performance, as well as stellar performances by John Rubenstein, Irene Ryan, Leland Palmer, Eric Berry, and Jill Clayburgh. I loved this musical when I saw it and, after listening to this digitally remastered CD of the original cast recording, love it still.

The music tells the story of Pippin, first born son of Charlemagne, and his quest to find his place in life. This is a timeless theme, told through a medieval tapestry of war, court intrigue, patricide, politics, art, religion, sex, and love. The story is melded through inventive use of the age old greek chorus, led by a character entitled the Leading Player (Ben Vereen), through whichPippin (John Rubenstein) segues from vignette to vignette in his age old quest of finding himself.

While Pippin does have a flower child feel to it, redolent of the Woodstock generation, the music and lyrics are gloriously charming with a superb orchestration, telling a timeless story which should continue to enchant young and old alike. Bravo!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A fun musical comedy with a statement., May 18, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Pippin (1972 Original Broadway Cast) (Audio CD)

STEPHEN SCHWARTZ brings us another joyous musical in the likes of his famed GODSPELL. The music is delightful with Ben Vareen (as the Leading Player) in this Bob Fosse signature piece. Featuring songs that are staples of musical theater including MAGIC TO DO, CORNER OF THE SKY & MORNING GLOW (the Act One finale).

PIPPIN is the story of a young princely lad looking for something to make his life worth living for. He tries it all: sexuality, living it up in tranquility, love, war & bloodshed, and even kills his father to try being the king at one point... but don't fret, in the true venue of musical comedy, no act is final and he wishes his father back to life.

In the end, he discovers... wait, I'm not going to tell you! It's a good show with about a 50% plus good song to mediocre song ratio, which is pretty good in my book. Only one song in the whole musical I actually skip when listening to it "WAR IS A SCIENCE", the rest are all enjoyable. But it's worth it with beautiful love ballads like "LOVE SONG" (a duet) & "WITH YOU" (which true meaning cannot be fully understood until you hear this beautiful love song being sung back and forth to five or six diferent women building into a big orgy... but you can only get that aspect of the song from actaually seeing it performed).

Other musicals he has written include (on a scale of 1-10): GODSPELL (8-9), THE BAKER'S WIFE (6), RAGS (3) and the new musical CHILDREN OF EDEN (9.5), by far, one of his best ever!!! I gave a seperate review of that one if you care to look it up. In my opinion, anything over an 8 is worth getting. To give you an idea of my other favorites: LES MISERABLES & SWEENEY TODD (though both of those are considerably darker than any of Scwartz's work).