Customer Reviews

Songs of West Side Story

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

It's hard to imagine how anyone can improve on the music of West Side Story. Every song track holds it's own on popular music charts. Yet, in this particular CD, there's a refreshing way to enjoy the classic sounds of West Side Story in a popular culture. "The Songs of West Side Story", is performed by a line-up of American's best pop-performers singing the entire repertoire. Actually, the various styles performed on this CD can push the traditionalist's envelope, so to speak, as performers like Kenny Loggins and Wynonna sing "Tonight"; or, my very favorite, Little Richard performing what could (or should) be his theme song, "I Feel Pretty". If there's one song worth the entire price of the CD, it's Selena signing "A Boy Like That", a salient testimony to the loss of youth and innocence, as her own life was senselessly cut short with almost the same vengeance used by the West Side gangs during their rumbles. This CD is one of my all time favorites. On the impressive play list are 16 top pop artists who, "Somewhere" along their career paths were just plain lucky enough to sing along with Leonard Bernstein.

Personally, I love this album. I also have the original motion picture soundtrack. What a lot of people seem to fail to realize, is that these are interpretations of the original songs. They are not meant to duplicate. I think that each and every artist on here has done a great job interpreting using more or less, their own genre. All-4-One do a great R&B style on "Something's coming", Little Richard's rendition of "I Feel Pretty" is hilarious. The very last song that Selena ever recorded before she was murdered, is on this album, "A boy like that", to which she adds a great Latin vibe. Brian Setzer is fantastic on "Prologue/Jet Song". And I could go on and on. So what if the songs are not in the order that the soundtrack is. This is NOT a soundtrack. Just an album packed with great interpretations of great songs. The 24 page booklet includes notes on Bernstein, West Side Story and the songs. Also lots of photos of the artists.

With the recent broadcast of the story of leonard bernstein, this disk is worth a listen, or two. THe track by Selena, the last one she recorded, when put in that perspective is a masterpiece. While the Rome and Juliette story is not new, the spirit and musical interpretation of West side story, now re-worked and re-released provides a very fulfilling social and historical perspective for the listener.

David Pack, the brilliant frontman for the 70's band, Ambrosia, produced this collection and has assembled some remarkable voices to interpret what can arguably be called the best score of Broadway. There are some misses, unfortunately, but in looking at the overall performances, it is a worthy offering.
The misses: All 4 One's "Something's Coming" lacks the urgency and maturity needed to truly convey this infectious number; Aretha Franklin and Phil Collins both miss on the beautiful "Somewhere." It's not that Ms. Franklin and Mr. Collins do the songs poorly; neither version really captures the awesome wondering of this song; someone like Trisha Yearwood or Gary Morris would have captured it much nicer; Tevin Campbell (whatever happened to him?) offers a pale version of "One Hand One Heart," that only evidences why some of these boy wonder singers go their way rather quickly; "Gee Officer Krupke" is likewise overburdened by SaltnPepa, and the other rappers.

But the hits, oh my, are they good: Selena's "A Boy Like That" is powerful in its defiance and anguish; MichaelMcDonald, James Ingram and David Pack team up for "Maria," a gorgeous harmonizing of this beautiful song (why don't these three guys make an entire CD together--they are perfect); "Tonight" by Kenny Loggins and Wynonna is powerful, although I can't figure out why they didn't stick with the song's original lyrics?; Little Richard's gender-bending vocal on "I Feel Pretty" is hilarious, and works in spite of itself; but the collection's most auspicious moment is Trisha Yearwood's version of "I Have a Love." It gives goose bumps, shivers, you name it. What a beautiful song, what a beautiful delivery.
If you have never heard the music from this wonderful show, this may be a way to introduce yourself to it, particularly if you're not a true "Broadway" affecionado. Purists may be offended by some of the interpretations, but all in all, this is a worthy collection. Now, let's see Pack attack a score from another great classic, like "Show Boat." Awesome possibilities!

This is a homage to West Side Story (the greatest musical of all time--this must be true, since it is the only superlative my mother and I have EVER agreed upon), and not to be mistaken for the musical itself. (If you're looking for the WSS soundtrack, I recommend EITHER--or both, like me!--the original Broadway cast or the 1961 movie soundtrack. Both are excellent. This is a tribute that works in some ways, and falls short in others. It's a celebration of the music of Bernstein and Sondheim, but not all the interpretations of the songs are accurate. Probably one of the strangest things in the world is Little Richard singing "I Feel Pretty." Probably one of the sweetest is Aretha Franklyn singing "Somewhere." The more sweeping, beautiful songs work well on the CD. "Maria", "Tonight", "Somewhere", "One Hand, One Heart", "I have a Love" all sound wonderful. I have some trouble with the rap rendition of "Gee, Officer Krupke." WSS is NOT a rock/rap musical. "Gee, Officer Krupke", for all its darker underlying theme, was meant to be one of the spicier, bouncier parts of the score. All that is lost on this CD. The subtle social criticism, disguised by the bright, funny song, isn't there. The songs aren't in any kind of order, so don't expect to be able to follow the story if you're not already familiar with the music. Ehhh..."A Boy Like That" (Selena does a good rendition) belongs at the END of the show, not the beginning. Also missing is the "Tonight" montage, which is like "One Day More" from Les Miz, in terms of importance. I can understand why that was cut, of course. Montages aren't something you usually get in pop music. It's a fun CD, even so. The song that do work work beautifully. I don't even like country music, but I really enjoyed Kenny Loggins and Wynonna doing "Tonight" and Trisha Yearwood's "I HAve a Love." The harmonies on "Maria" are lovely. It's worth owning, if you're a WSS buff (but not if you're a fanatic, I think). The beauty of a CD player is you can skip the silly parts.

David Pack (Ambrosia), studied under Bernstein. This is his heartfelt tribute to the master. Completely rearranged versions of WSS are hip, funky, and very current. Songs like "Something's Coming" and "Rumble" are edgy and reflective of today's streets. Similarly, "Officer Krupke" with SaltNPepa, Def Jef et al is alarmingly updated and ironic (yeah, they did RAP in 1957). In contrast, absolutely beautiful renditions of "Tonight" by the powerful voices of Wynonna Judd and Kenny Loggins bring tears as well as Trisha Yearwood's "I Have a Love". Aretha Franklin's "Somewhere" is stylistically all Aretha. And sadly, Selena's last performance, but beautiful, "A Boy Like That". And wow, Patti LaBell, Natalie Cole and Sheila E pounding out "America"! versus the jazzy harmonies of Patti Austin, Mervyn Warren & Bruce Hornsby singing "Cool", fantastic. And you just gotta laugh when you hear Little Richard do "I Feel Pretty", just enjoy it. This is not a soundtrack, but each artist's interpretation of the moving and beautiful works of Bernstein and Sondheim. Thank you David Pack.

I totally agree with many things said by previous reviewers. The songs should be in order, and this IS a HIGHLY uneven CD. But, some gems shine through the muck.

This CD makes it clear that Brian Setzer was born to play the "Jet Song." Chick Corea and Steve Vai give a pulse-pounding "Rumble," adding a sort of '80s jazz/rock sound to the epic excitement of the instrumental piece. The Jet parts are played by Vai's Monsters and the Sharks' by Corea's Elektric Band, and so it becomes more of a musical duel. Phil Collins shines on "Somewhere," and although I don't care for Aretha's version, some will find it quite nice. I would have liked it if they'd sung it together.

"A Boy Like That" was Selena's final recording. It takes the song in a sort of New Jack/Latin direction, and surprisingly, it works with flying colors, giving her a canvas to work vocal wonders on. For jazz fans, "Cool" will be the obvious favorite. Patti Austin's silky voice and the smooth arrangemnt, with Branford Marsalis' soprano sax taking over the main riff, makes for good relaxation and even better listening.

Overall, it could have been a much better effort, and some songs REALLY baffle listeners who wonder why they're there (the rap of "Gee, Officer Krupke" is a disgrace, and Little Richard screeching "I Feel Pretty" scarred me for life), but it's worth at least borrowing it from someone or checking out from the library to make Mp3s of the good tracks.

I bought this for my friend and she was so happy with it. There were no skips, scratches on the disc or one the case. I would definitely buy again from this user.

This Album is excellent, the various artists singing these classic songs are a wonder to behold, they have modernised this music to bring to the contempory listener a pleasure that is as though the music is for 'NOW'.
Highly Recommended, also the delivery was prompt considering it had to come all the way to Australia, a job well done,
Regards
Rog the Dodge.

This is a great cd, it is fun and enjoyable to listen to. the best songs on this cd are all of them. If you have not listened to this cd then i recommend you do