Customer Reviews

All Shook Up (2005 Original Broadway Cast) (Featuring the Songs of Elvis Presley)

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I saw the show about a month ago, and while there was a little lack-of-plot, it was so entertaining. It almost doesn't matter that the love story gets a little tangled, because you get so hooked on the songs. For example, the most obvious stretch to include a song was "jailhouse rock"... it just starts all of a sudden... I mean, it's a great song, but you can tell that it was included just because it's such a good song, not because it has some kind of relevance. But I still loved show. If you are looking for a profound and enlightening love story... this may not be it--but I truly believe that anyone would enjoy the entertainment (the music grabs you, because it's... well... elvis). The energy and enthusiasm of the performance was outstanding and it was captured really well on this cd. It puts me in a great mood! Between Cheyenne Jackson and Jen Gambatese (and, actually, the entire cast is really strong vocally) I challenge anyone to listen to this cd without singing along, tapping your feet, or bopping your head. Songs like "C'mon Everybody" and "Burning Love" are bound to get you out of your seat. Then there are the seductive songs like, "Let Yourself Go," and "A Little Less Conversation;" the lovestruck ones: "It's now or never," "The Power of My Love," "It Hurts Me," "There's Always Me," and the ever so wonderful "Can't Help Falling In Love." I definately recommend it, especially for those elvis or/and broadway fans. I honestly feel that everyone would appreciate this cd... whether it be for elvis, broadway, or sheer enjoyment!

While I must admit I haven't seen this show on Broadway, I did see it four times in its pre-Broadway previews in Chicago in January of this year. The show is great from start to finish, with a great collection of Elvis songs, many of which are rearranged to fit the various talented voices in the cast. Every song crackles with energy and fun and its the kind of show (and CD) that you never want to end.

"That's Alright," "Burning Love," "C'Mon Everybody" and "Fools Fall in Love" are among my favorites, but the most powerful track is the song that ends the first act of the play, "Can't Help Falling in Love," which concludes with the entire cast belting out the song. It's amazing.

BUY THIS ALBUM...and then see the show!!

Over the summer I got to experience the Broadway show All Shook Up and it was highly enjoyable. Because critics don't like shows that are based off unoriginal music, they missed the point of All Shook Up. It was a fantastic tribute to one of the greatest singers of all time.

The cast of the show puts every ounce of energy behind the songs and fills them with such zest and pep that it is impossible not to see the charm. Some of the best numbers come when the cast all join in together in such ensemble efforts like "Heartbreak Hotel" and "Can't Help Falling in Love" to produce rousing chorus numbers. The voice talent matches expectations for the songs, as Cheyenne Jackson nails a good mix of Elvis with roustabout charisma in his spotlight songs like "Roustabout" and "C'Mon Everybody."

What the show does a fantastic job of is mixing up the songs, how they are song, and the different voice talent put into each piece. There is a wonderful cross of "Teddy Bear" and "Hound Dog" (words are changed around to make it work), that is fun back and forth song.

The same can be said for "Don't Be Cruel", which is one of the best adaptations of Elvis' songs. It mixes cool, slick, and humor to give another quick duet, back and forth piece to the show.

In short, there are so many fun songs on this CD that you won't be able to stop listening to it for weeks. There is so much charm and energy in each song that you'll feel a little remorse for not seeing it on Broadway (yes, it's run is over), or for not going to go see it again.

So...C'mon everybody and clap your hands right now...

I saw "All Shook Up" this past August and immediately fell in love with it. As part of a large high school choir (a choir that has won 1st place in many competitions and sung at Ground Zero and a Washington Wizards game) singing is important to me. Obviously, to get on Broadway you have to have some kind of talent, but the talent displayed in "All Shook Up" is absolutely superb. There is not a bad note or line in the whole thing. You would think that all the ASU performers had been doing this kind of thing their whole lives. It's amazing how they've just burst onto the sceen and made everyone fall in love with them! They're each unique and totally incredible. From the grease monkey Jenn to the hip swiveling Cheyenne to the nerdy Mark they're all excellent. Each one plays their part beautifully, and the whole show is just awesome. The soundtrack is just as good...it's exactly like watching it on stage! It'll bring back great memories and laughs and is a must for any Elvis fan!

This Show is amazing. It makes you leave the theater so happy and now you can recreate that anytime with this amazing album.I saw the show it's first weekend and thought it was so great. I went into a music store that afternoon and asked did they have it and they told me It came out May 18. So I waited 2 months then I hear it was pushed back till May 31. The wait was well worth it. This is a magical experience with an awesome cast. Cheyenne Jackson is amazing as Chad. Jenn Gambatese's voice is wonderful. Leah Hocking plays Miss Sandra, one of my personal favorites. Not to mention Sharon Wilkins is wonderful in one of her best roles yet. This Show will not let you down. It is hilarious and leave with the best feeling inside. If you can't go see the show then get the album, it is well worth it!!!

...this CD will help you keep the memory! I saw the show a month ago and couldn't WAIT for the cast recording to come out. I now have it, and it's wonderful! The show was hilarious. It kept me laughing the entire time. See the show & buy the CD!

Superb quality CD. Superb singers. Superb performers. Superb arrangements. I don't know what more you could ask for.

Cheyenne Jackson is a talent of the first order, and I frankly like his renditions of these songs far better than I liked the original Elvis Presley recordings. Jackson is a real find: a brilliant singer, actor, and dancer. One critic called him a cross between Marlon Brando and Elvis Presley... that is very true, and yet I must say Jackson also has an intelligence and humor about him that neither of these stars ever achieved. Cheyenne Jackson may well be the most talented man in America right now.

The entire cast gives powerful & adorable performances. I have never seen a Broadway show with as much energy and joy as "All Shook Up." Once you have seen the show, this CD brings back memories of all that incredible action that took place on stage. It is truly a must-have for anyone who has seen the show.

I saw the show on Broadway on opening night and bought the CD when it came out on 5/31. I've been seeing Broadway musicals on Broadway and road shows for about the last Forty years give or take and I have to say that this show, with this cast and the CD are simply outstanding with a capital O! The orchestra and the entire cast are so clarion pure in their deliveries, the arrangements and voices as close to perfect as any I have ever heard...on or off Broadway. There is not a less than virtually perfect voice in the entire cast and the leads are (to put it mildly)unbelievably talented and it is extremely hard to believe that they are NOT already big names in the business. There is not one flat or sharp note sung by anyone, which in and of itself I think is spectacular. And....to top it all off, EVERY sylable sung or spoken for that matter can be clearly heard and understood. The diction & tonal qualities should be so good in all the other name musicals I've seen and heard over the last forty or so years from established,well known stars. In all seriousness, there isn't a voice on this CD that doesn't belong in movies or hit productions anywhere on any stage in the world.
The world of entertainment and it's audiences are going to hear lots more from the individuals in this cast, the two leads in particular....Jenn Gambatese and Cheyenne Jackson. Mark those names down and take it to the bank.

I just saw "All Shook Up" in May '05 and was blown away. I had the opportunity to meet Cheyenne Jackson (Chad) very briefly last year through a mutual friend and decided we had to go see the show to support him - and it doesn't hurt that I love Elvis either! The show is amazing and a really fun time on the Great White Way! I've seen a lot of musicals and this has to be one of my all time favorites. It's upbeat, silly and just an all around good time. The cast is amazng also and you can tell they are having a great time. We had a chance to talk to some of them after the show and they are very friendly and you get the impression that they are almost shocked that people want to talk to them and get their autograph! Keep an eye on these young stars, especially Cheyenne - they are going to be huge! Check out the show when you're in NYC and pick up a copy of the Cast Recording to keep the good times goin'! You won't be disappointed!

...Be aware that many of the tracks bear little more than passing resemblance to the arrangements available for rent from Theatrical Rights Worldwide. For example, in the printed arrangement, there is no "Overture" that dies out after a minute or so: instead there is a full-on extended version of "Jailhouse Rock" that, well, rocks. Conversely, "Roustabout" goes on much longer on the CD.

This recording doesn't offer accurate tempos, either, as the whole thing is a bit sped up, presumably to fit it all on a single disc. This is not "reference quality" in the tradition of Broadway cast recordings from Decca, etc. It's better than nothing, but just barely.