Shakespeare's Palpable Hits

Dog Legs & Feet | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 1, 2004)
• Original Release Date: July 1, 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Zita Sound
• ASIN: B000BIXNE6
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #721,253 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

About the Artist

Dog Legs & Feet formed in Austin, Texas in 1997. The band’s eclectic alternative-country sound (with a splash of vaudeville) quickly earned it a small but loyal following. The group released a limited-edition live album, “Bottom,” in 1999. From the beginning, Dog Legs & Feet included Shakespeare songs in a broader repertoire of original material -- four of the five original members had spent summers in the University of Texas’ Shakespeare at Winedale program. The group became involved in scoring plays for local theatre companies, and began playing fundraising concerts for Shakespeare at Winedale and other live-performance groups. In 2003, Dog Legs & Feet worked with the University of Texas to create an album of their Shakespeare-related music as a fund-raiser for Shakespeare at Winedale. The album, called “The Music of Shakespeare at Winedale,” was released in July 2003 and sold at the Winedale theatre near Round Top, Texas. The band then re-mastered it and released a commercial version, “Shakespeare’s Palpable Hits,” in March of 2004.

Product Description

“Shakespeare’s Palpable Hits” is a compilation of Shakespeare lyrics set to catchy modern music. Texas-based band Dog Legs & Feet created this album of their “greatest hits” after several years of scoring plays in Austin’s underground theatre scene. Shakespeare's plays contain dozens of songs -- but only the lyrics. For the most part, the original melodies are unknown. Any music for the 400-year-old words must be created afresh for each new production of a play, just like the costumes and sets. The music helps define the world that the characters live in, whether it is first-century Italy, 1920’s London, or a timeless fantasy-land. This is not your great-grandfather’s Shakespeare. On “Palpable Hits,” a bunch of rustics in the forest might break into a madrigal or a rollicking country jam; a star-struck lover might express his feelings in a sultry jazz number; a witty song mocking the opposite sex might turn into a campy cabaret. Just like the plays from which they come, the songs are a mixed bag of old and new, bitter and sweet, fast and slow. The album also contains four “non-Shakespeare” songs -- two that were inspired by the plays, and two that are frequently used in Shakespeare performances. By turns catchy and cool, hilarious or haunting, “Palpable Hits” is an album no Shakespeare-lover should be without.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thoroughly entertaining and catchy, December 2, 2005

By 

Toren K. Smith (Austin, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shakespeare's Palpable Hits (Audio CD)

I was lucky enough to have seen Dog Legs and Feet perform live, and bought this CD as soon as it became available. As the description explains, the album consists mostly of classic Shakespeare song lyrics set to new music, as the original score was lost. The musical style spans a wide range across the tracks, including some very catchy melodies.

This band has an infectious sense of camaraderie which comes through beautifully on this CD. It sounds like a very personal gathering of friends playing together rather than a stiff recording session; these guys were clearly having a blast making this CD, and I guarantee it'll bring a smile to your face.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Catchy album, October 25, 2005

By 

LJ - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shakespeare's Palpable Hits (Audio CD)

This isn't normally the type of music I'd pick up, but I was pleasantly surprised at how light and fun it is. It has a great rhythm that I find gets stuck in my head -- sometimes I can be caught singing the songs at work. Great band that sounds like they actually enjoy playing together. I highly recommend it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good tunes and a fun romp through Shakespeare's canon!, October 24, 2005

By 

D. M. Sacks - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shakespeare's Palpable Hits (Audio CD)

This album is really enjoyable and accessible. You don't have to know Shakespeare to enjoy this album, but of course, the more Shakespeare you know - the more you'll enjoy these songs!
Their arrangements are quirky and fun and their harmonies are spot on!

My favorites are - Sweet Viola, Irish Dement and A Lover and His Lass.

Fun for all!