Customer Reviews

Tell Me on a Sunday (2003 London Revival Cast)

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

 

 

`Tell me on a Sunday', one of Andrew Lloyd Webber's most interesting shows, has an interesting history. The composer wrote this rather short piece in the late 70-is, when he already made great success with his shows `Jesus Christ Superstar' and `Evita', written in the collaboration with Tim Rice. While looking for the subject for his next big show, he composed this song-cycle, which was to be his first collaboration with the lyricist Don Black, with whom he has subsequently written as much as he has with Rice.

The show tells the story of a young English girl in New York, going through various love affairs and dealing with the life in another country. It is entirely sung-through and although various characters are mentioned, we only hear the English girl. The role was originated by Marti Webb and the show had its premiere as a one-off performance recorded for TV by BBC in 1980. Two years later, Webber created a double-bill show, whose first part was comprised of `Tell me on a Sunday' and the second included `Variations', a set of instrumental songs based on Paganini, which he wrote for his cellist brother Julian. The music of `Tell me on a Sunday' was neatly endorsed by the audiences, since it included the beautifully composed set of pop and ballad songs, among the finest Lloyd Webber has ever done. The orchestrations were very well made, as can be heard on the Song and Dance Cast recording.

Yet, as the new millennium approached, it was clear that this little show (which never demanded the big effects and the monumental sets like, for example, `The Phantom of the Opera' or `Sunset Boulevard') has the potential of being modernised to match today's standards while still retaining its original appeal. So in 2003, a new touring UK production was set, featuring Marti Webb and the young Denise Van Outen, and it is this new and modernised production we get to hear on this CD.

The changes to the material are done very satisfactory. The parts of the subject matter have been changed, so what we eventually get is a `Sex and the city' type of musical. In the original version the girl wrote the letters home to England and now she is using email, mentioning `Friends' and benefiting from online dating opportunities. The old standards, such as `Take that look off your face', `Unexpected song', `Nothing like you've ever known' and the title songs are all here, but they have been re-orchestrated in an updated rock and pop manner, whereas the original orchestrations had a bit more classical touch. Don Black's lyrics remain as witty as always.

There are five new songs Lloyd Webber has written especially for this production. They are all nice melodies, especially `Heaven in the sky' (describing the girl's plane trip), `Speed dating' (a clever lyrical description of online dating), `Tyler King' (a rocky description of one of the girl's flames) and a personal favourite called `Somewhere, someplace, sometime' (a conclusion of story in which the girl contemplates about her unsuccessful love affairs, telling herself she mustn't loose hope and that love will eventually arrive).

Denise Van Outen, upon which the whole show lies, gives a persuasive rendition. She is full of energy, both in terms of voice and acting, and she managed to bring something new to the role that is considered to be Marti Webb's best performance.

The booklet contains full lyrics, but as with most ALW's recordings, there is no synopsis.

For those familiar with this show, this recording will be a fresh update. The others will also find it appealing. Both the old Song and Dance recording and this new version are worth checking into.

Hmm...what can I say? This is pretty bad stuff. Denise Van Outen, who plays Emma on this CD, is sometimes good and sometimes bad. The character, who is supposed to be soft and vulnerable, however, is not really portrayed that way. Denise comes off as a strong woman who can't be hurt and uses her daddy's credit card...not like the character.

In a feeble and horrible attempt to update the piece, a few ... Internet and internet dating references were added, which do nothing at all to enhance the piece...still, the classic songs, like "Tell Me on a Sunday," a slower and somewhat more boring version of "Come Back with the Same Look in Your Eyes," and "Unexpected Song" come off okay, as do the letters home and "Let Me Finish" songs...Where this piece really fails is in tracks like "Haven in the Sky," a bad song about her flight on an airplane which is just unnecessary, and "Speed Dating." I strongly reccomend picking up the Bernadette Peters version of "Song and Dance" which is just a better version of this piece. I don't even see why the piece needed updating.

I read about this musical in a J A Jance novel and ordered it. It is a very interesting story told in song. Good listening.

Long before "Sex and the City", Andrew Lloyd Webber and Don Black created a musical about one girl's search for love in New York City. TELL ME ON A SUNDAY started life as a concept album with singer Marti Webb in the early 80's, before being expanded into the stage musical "Song & Dance" (with the dance piece 'Variations' taking up the second act of the show). In 2003, the show--with revised material by Jackie Clune--enjoyed a successful West End revival starring former British TV presenter Denise Van Outen in the lead.

Although parts of the story and score haven't aged terribly well, the key ballads ("Tell Me on a Sunday", "Unexpected Song") still hold their potent spell. This one-woman song-cycle is quite an intense task for any performer, but Ms Van Outen gamely holds her own and definitely has a strong hold on the material. She particularly shines with a number added especially for the revival, "Somewhere, Someplace, Sometime", an upbeat, optimistic finale.

[UNIVERSAL/REALLY USEFUL RECORDS 076174-2]

I was blown away the first time I listened to this CD. I got it after listening to Song and Dance and also talking to some of my coworkers who had seen the musical in London's West End. Van Outen has an incredible voice. The new songs written for the revival made me laugh.

While it's not my personal favorite, it's a staple in my musical theatre collection.

i own the original london cast with martti webb and the broadway cast with Bernadette Peters and i loved them both and now i got this one and it is awsome. Cause on each recording the girls give it her own twist and make it her own. cause you know the show was originally written for martti webb and she sung the hell out of it. but i love all 3 recordings cause they each have new songs, tempos and lyrics. but each is sung in the a diffrent style and in diffent meaning and feeling. i would recomend this to nayone who is a webber lover like i am!

To be just like Bernadette Peters. I've listened to both and I Love both. van outen brings her won charm and spunk to this recording as well as having a killer voice. I saw this show in London, and as many of the other reviewers haven't I suggest going to amazon.co.uk to read the reviews of people who actually have. For the informantion of those who have not seen the show, It's a one woman show based on a television muiscal that lloyd webber and black wrote for Marti Webb in the 1980s. I'd definitely reccommend this, and I'd also suggest Bernadette's recording because It's nice to see what other people have done with the material. You can also hear how Sarah Brightman (lloyd webber's ex) sang the music on her album the andrew lloyd webber album. She does the title song and the immortal Unexpected Song.

This is a nice little album with some nice little songs sung by the nice little voice of British actress (former weather girl) Denise van Outen. Don't get me wrong, Lloyd Webber's tunes are still great, but Denise just doesn't have the pipes of former Emmas, e. g. Bernadette Peters or Betty Buckley. Just listen to Denise's rendition of "Unexpected Song", this song requires an accomplished singer who can belt her heart out. However, her version of the new song "Somewhere, Someplace, Somtime" is beautiful, although this recording differs somewhat of what is heard at London's Gieldud Theatre. My advice: If you like Lloyd Webber this CD is a must have, the same holds true if you are a fan of Song & Dance - if not, try to get the Original Broadway Cast Recording starring Bernadette Peters.

I actually think this is one of ALW's better musicals. It is very simple and benefits from it compared to the more pretentious later works of his.

This is also a nice recording of the show. Sure, Denise van Outen is no Bernadette, but she's not bad either. Besides, the orchestrations are a zillion times better here.

The new songs are mainly trash, except Somewhere, Someplace, Sometime, which serves as a much needed finale to this piece. It is by no means Sondheim, and it borrows the first notes from (the now cut and actually more interresting) The Last Man In My Life.

I would recommend getting the OLCR complete with the second "Dance" act before this, but it is a nice addition if you like TMOAS or S&D.

The only nice thing about this recording is the better sound and orchestration. However, if you are looking for a singer who can act and make something nice out of a boring material, this is not for you. Go with the Bernadette Peters, or be satisfied with Marti Webb's version of Tell me on a sunday and unexpected song. however, if you are looking for a pop diva, this is for you.