Customer Reviews

Sweet Smell of Success (2002 Original Broadway Cast)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

The much-maligned Hamlisch-Guare-Carnelia musical will close on June 15, but thankfully the Original Cast Recording will remain behind to remind us of the missed potential of Sweet Smell of Success.

In the cast recording, the creative team of Marvin Hamlisch (music), Craig Carnelia (lyrics) and John Guare (book) have presented a dark and gritty (if somewhat inconsistent) representation of 1952 Manhattan, bolstered to great extent by the fabulous orchestrations created by William David Brohn. The score's lighter moments pulse with riffs crooned on woodwinds, punctuated by blats from the brass section; its slower jazz numbers evoke smoky lounges. The first few tracks will grab listeners with their energy, but they set a tone for the rest of the recording that is difficult to maintain and does not appear consistently again until the CD's final few tracks.

The story of Sweet Smell of Success, despite its trumpeting of John Lithgow as JJ Hunsecker, is really about a press agent named Sidney Falcone (Brian D'Arcy James). Sidney's only client is a backwater jazz club, and the boss has told him that unless he gets the club plugged in JJ's column, he's out of work. Desperate to find new clients, Sidney offers his services to Dallas (Jack Noseworthy) - a nobody of a jazz pianist - and Susan (Kelli O'Hara), a young beauty and aspiring actress who is at the club to see Dallas, her lover. Neither of them bite.

We soon learn that Susan is JJ Hunsecker's (John Lithgow) sister, and that she lives in fear that JJ will discover her relationship with Dallas and condemn it because he's a nobody. So when Hunsecker shows up at the club looking for her, Susan insists that Sidney is her acting class partner and Dallas slips away.

As a result of this ploy, and playing the part of an over-protective sibling, Hunsecker takes an interest in Sidney. He fixes Sidney up with a new wardrobe and gets him a bunch of clients, but after a few weeks, Hunsecker's true motives are exposed: he wants Sidney to keep an eye on his sister and report on everything. A terrible rock-and-hard-place scenario is set up when Susan asks Sidney to get Dallas a plug in Hunsecker's column; soon afterwards, Hunsecker begins to suspect that Susan is seeing someone who is cutting her off from his view and control, and he demands that Sidney discover the man's identity and break up the relationship.

Sidney eventually lets it slip to Susan that he's been asked by JJ to watch her. The two of them hatch a plot to help hide the relationship from Hunsecker, but this proves impossible. Furious at being duped by Sidney, Hunsecker blackballs him and he loses all his clients. The desperate acts that follow form a pawn game where all the major players want to be the chess master... but ultimately, somebody has to be the sacrificial playing piece.

The musical is based upon dark subject matter and should therefore be quite dark in tone. For the most part, this is true: the music is gritty with the heavy influence of dirty 50s jazz. However, the flow of the main story is interrupted by the insertion of "production numbers" that one assumes were meant to help lighten the tone of the production. "The Column", "Welcome To The Night" and "Dirt" are three examples of songs that stand fabulously on their own but do not fit well within the greater context of the musical. The chorus of the show forms a Greek chorus, whispering directives at Sidney and ushering him towards his fate; this chorus is used to great darkening effect in some numbers ("Break It Up" comes immediately to mind), but the dance arrangements in the three aforementioned numbers make the listener question what overall emotional effect the show is trying to achieve. The latter half of the recording (after "Dirt") is much more consistent as the plot barrels towards its climax and conclusion. Individually, the majority of the songs shine, but as a whole the score just doesn't seem to gel.

While the recording is catchy and listenable, I noted several allusions to other musicals. In part due to tone and setting, and in part due to the involvement of Brian D'Arcy James, I was reminded at several times of Andrew Lippa's The Wild Party. The rhythms and quiet intensity of Stacey Logan's only song, "Rita's Tune", echoed Sondheim's "I'm Still Here" from Follies (Rita is Sidney's girlfriend; another pawn in the Great Game). Finally, "Dirt" brings immediately to mind the big hit from Hamlisch's other Big Musical, A Chorus Line - "One".

The weakest areas of the score appear to be the slower numbers, which tend to be inefficient in terms of propelling the story. Most outstanding in this regard are "I Cannot Hear The City" and a duet between Susan and Dallas called "Don't Know Where You Leave Off".

Despite misgivings about tone and consistency, however, there is more than enough to like about this cast recording. William David Brohn's orchestrations are filthily rich, and those same production numbers that give the recording an inconsistent tone provide rewarding aural experiences in listen after listen. I wouldn't label Sweet Smell of Success as a must-have recording, but if the sounds of old-school, dirty, film-noir jazz appeal to you, you may want to add it to your collection.

The show flopped on Broadway because it didn't have a good story line, not because it had a bad score. At times I find it rather Sondheim-ish, the repetitive beats and the haunting chorus. Brian D'Arcy James, is as always, extremely brilliant. It mirrors his performance in "Titanic." John Lithgow is great--not the best singer, but hey, he's John Lithgow. Lithgow's "Don't Look Now" is an enjoyable, toe tapping number. Jack Noseworthy is excellent, and Kelli O'Hara is superb. Favorite songs include "At the Fountain" "Don't Know Where you Leave Of" "For Susan" "Break It Up" "Don't Look Now" I strongly recommend this recording, even if the show didn't do well

Yes, this is a very good Broadway recording of a show that has comedy, thriller, and romance twisted into one. All of the songs are sung well, and sound crisp and energetic as the live performance onstage.The Highlights of the CD are definately Brian D'Arcy James & John Lithgow. Though John Lithgow doesn't have a very strong voice, he makes up for it in the quick-witted humor and laid-back New Yorker character that he plays. Brian D'Arcy James has a very unique and powerful singing voice that will soften your heart and almost cause you to get chill bumps at the incredible "At the Fountain" & "At the Fountain (Reprise)". Other favorite tunes of mine include the fast-paced opener "The Column", "Welcome to the Night", "For Susan", "One Track Mind", and "Break it up". Overall, a very classy and enjoyable recording. If you are a Broadway fanatic, this CD is a must.

I wasn't expecting too much out of "The Sweet Smell of Success" given its general success and singing abilities of John Lithgow. Overall, I do enjoy the jazz feel of the score, and the cast boasts some amazing stars like Brian D'Arcy James, who gives an incredible performance. There are a few memorable songs, like "Don't Know Where You Leave Off", but the show is not as entertaining as some of the other hits of the year, like
"Urinetown", or the lesser-known "The Last Five Years". On the whole, I'd say only purchase this show if you are a huge fan of marvin hamlisch or if you're an intensely dedicated musical theatre collector.

I saw this musical on Broadway a couple of weeks ago and it was amazing. Being my first Broadway experience, I wasn't sure what to expect...but I was pleasantly surprised. The ensemble was my favorite part of the show (although the leads were great). Being a Greek chorus, the ensemble did not simple blend into the background, but remained constantly involved in the action. The vocal performances live (and on cd) are very strong. The music, with its jazzy tune and shady undertone, complements very well to the entire mood of the musical. My favorite song would have to be "The Column", its very catchy and I found myself singing it on my way out of the theatre. Other great ones include "Dirt" and "What If", Lithgow's sketchy numbers are also profoundly entertaining, yet at the same time menacing. He was excellent in his role as JJ. The cd does not contain a few songs (including a witty yet disturbing song between Sidney and JJ, in a church ) Yet the cd is great. I recommend it!

Let me begin by saying I review CDs as CDs. If I enjoy listening to it, I say so. So, while Sweet Smell, might not be a perfect musical, this CD is a fun one to pop in. The singers are great (Lithgow doesn't have to sing much), the score is incredible, and the lyrics aren't too bad. Usually I'm not a fan of lots of instrumental music, but this score is just wonderful. Its jazzy, very speak easy-esque, lots of brass, and rhythm. The story doesn't come through completely on the CD, but near the end you can tie everything together. I suggest this CD for newer Broadway listeners, but one with open minds. Fav Song: "Laughin' All the Way to the Bank."

The show may have been a flop but Marvin Hamlisch's score is gorgeous, gritty, jazzy and totally captures the flavor of the 50's tabloid sleaze. Two songs, I Cannot Hear The City and Don't Know Where You Leave Off are haunting. Lithgow is perfect as JJ and D'Arcy James is terrific as Sidney.
Jack Noseworthy and Kelli O'Hara are sublime as the young lovers.
Another case of what could have been a fantastic show done in by a book that just would not work as a musical. But get the CD for the outstanding Hamlisch score.

Yes, this is a very good Broadway recording of a show that has comedy, thriller, and romance twisted into one. All of the songs are sung well, and sound crisp and energetic as the live performance onstage.The Highlights of the CD are definately Brian D'Arcy James & John Lithgow. Though John Lithgow doesn't have a very strong voice, he makes up for it in the quick-witted humor and laid-back New Yorker character that he plays. Brian D'Arcy James has a very unique and powerful singing voice that will soften your heart and almost cause you to get chill bumps at the incredible "At the Fountain" & "At the Fountain (Reprise)". Other favorite tunes of mine include the fast-paced opener "The Column", "Welcome to the Night", "For Susan", "One Track Mind", and "Break it up". Overall, a very classy and enjoyable recording. If you are a Broadway fanatic, this CD is a must.

Okay I collect musicals; it's a hobby of mine that started back in junior high. Tell me a show I probably have the soundtrack to it. Here's the thing though, I don't judge the CD by the show itself I judge the CD by the music alone and that's it. I have only seen about 5% of the shows that I own. Through the years I have heard the best of the best and some that I won't even listen to again even if you paid me. Sweet Smell of Success I do believe is horribly underrated. I was a little skeptical about buying this CD especially after Mr. Hamlisch's last show The Goodbye Girl that falls into the category of never again. This CD provides a wonderful score that goes through your typical musical ballads like "At the Fountain" or "For Susan" (which remains my favorite song from the CD) to all types of dirty jazz songs, which Thou Shalt Not only tried to have. True some numbers do lag and even while listening to the CD it feels out of place from in the show or put in because the writers felt that a song needed to be there, which usually is a downfall of most musicals, songs put in for no good reason except in needed like four more songs to make a full length CD. Fortunately you don't come across the case of a thing I have come to call a "Scene Song" in which a people sing only for the sake of singing while moving through a scene and not feelings about an action that is taking place or took place. Overall I truly believe, judging from the music alone, that Sweet Smell of Success deserves a second chance and worth looking over again and again, it just might be one of those scores that needs to grow on you and once it does you'll look back and ask yourself why you ever hated it. It happens to the best of us, first time around I hated Parade and now it almost lives in my CD player. Hopefully years from now it will get a revival that will fix the problems that are apparent to everyone else except for me. It's a great score sung by very gifted performers who sound like they actually have fun with this show. And thank you John Lithgow for not sounding like Rex Harrison. I hate it when actors who aren't professional singers fall into a "Let me tell you song" mode. You were just great.

I was lucky enough to have seen this show the second week it opened, but was dissapointed when I wasn't able to buy the soundtrack. Now that I have it, and reviewed it in my brain, there are a few things to clear up. I say boohoo to the critics on this one, because I found the show to be ahead of it's time. The music is not the central force in this show. The songs, all beautiful and exciting, are the background music to the movie-ish show. This is a character show, and John Lithgow is the ultimate character. It really is a shame that he doesn't sing that much in the show, because he isn't represented majorly on the recording. What is not a shame, but a great pleasure, is that Brian D'arcy James is highly featured. The true star of the show, James' voices soars, especially in "At the Fountain." I sat in the audience and was amazed! It sounds even better on disc. Kelli O'Hara and Jack Noseworthy give fine performances as well, and Stacey Logan it so wonderful in "Rita's Tune," so full of life and fun. My only complaint with the recording is it left out "Psalm 151," a song sung by Lithgow and James. I was so looking forward to hearing it (I remember loving it), and I think it would have been nice to have Lithgow featured in at least one more song. Why it was left out, I don't know, but it was a mistake. Marvin Hamlisch's music is beautiful and fitting for the show, and as a whole, so are Craig Carnelia's lyrics, although "It's in the Constitution" in "Dirt" annoyed me after awhile. Overall a great show, and a fabulous cast recording.