Customer Reviews

Xena: Warrior Princess - The Bitter Suite: A Musical Odyssey - Original Television Soundtrack

5 star:		(37)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

What can I say? Xena has become a musical. At first I thought it'll be a bad idea. I thought this will destroy the myth of Xena for me. But when I got the CD, BEFORE I saw the episode if I may add (it was well before I saw the episode - half a year...), I started listenning to it. Not only that it wasn't that bad, it was GREAT and interesting to listen to. It's arranged in the same order as it was shown on TV, so you would understand the course of events. And if you listen closelly to the words, you can hear the script is right there. And what great voices to bring to life this tragedy between Gabrielle and Xena. Lucy Lawless with an awsume vocal, and the voice of Gabrielle (sadly, not of Renee O'Connor) is just, well, makes me shiver when I hear her "heart is hurting beyond words..." The absolute perfection in the making of this musical begins with the music. My hat's off for Joseph LoDuca for a well done job! I'm never tired of listenning to it!

For fans of the tv series, this is a must have. This does'nt exclude others. The soundtrack for the Xena episode Bitter Suite sounds like a Broadway musical so any musicals' fan is sure to appreciate it. The lyrics are memorable and humorous (Callisto sings!) and the Xena and Gabrielle reunion song is powerfully emotional. This was a CD I knew I had to have. You should too. Give it a chance

Turning an episode of a popular action adventure series into a musical extravaganza was a delightfully imaginative and innovative idea that blew me away when I first saw it. What surprised me the most was the quality of the cast's singing. Lucy Lawless, in particular has a beautiful voice. This CD has everything: from the delightful 'Song of Illusia' to the stirring pomp and pageant of 'War and Peace' to the haunting and impassioned 'Hearts are Hurting'. Every track has something different and exciting to offer. This is a must have CD, even non-Xena fans should love it!

While not quite the entire episode ripped to an audio file, it almost feels like it is.

The tracks are more like parts of the episode between commercial breaks than broken out by individual song. That's why I didn't give it 4 stars. This sounds great so if you've seen the episode and want the music on CD, buy it.
If you haven't and are thinking you are buying a song collection, this is more of a concept album that tells a story, being that it is the majority of the sound from the episode.

Anyway, I think this was miles better than the Buffy musical, and it was done first. I am the master of geography.

I'm a bit different than most reviewers in that I'm not a hardcore Xena fan. I've only seen parts of the series and the only DVD I own so far is the 10th Anniversary collection, which I recently received as a gift. Because I haven't seen a significant number of episodes, Bitter Suite took me totally by surprise. I hadn't known they'd done musicals!

At first I sort of rebelled against the idea, and the first part of the show didn't really appeal to me. But as it went on I adjusted my expectations and it drew me in further and further. In the end, the lyrics, music, and especially Lucy's singing really blew me away. So much so that I watched the episode a second time within a few days of first viewing it, which is something I've never done before.

I still have a hard time believing that this quality of a rock opera style musical was done for a one hour television show, and not even an A-string, big budget show. Much of the music is haunting and full of emotional impact. The final songs can bring tears to my eyes, and I haven't even seen the shows leading up to this one to be able to feel the full effect. I couldn't seem to get the music out of my head, so I finally had to buy the soundtrack CD. Not something I would have ever previously envisioned myself doing as a more casual Xena fan. So that should hopefully attest to this amazing piece of television musical work. The only drawback is that I wish all the songs were split out individually, but I understand why it was done this way.

Any doubt of Lucy Lawless's ability to sing will be wiped away after listening to her heartfelt plea for forgiveness in "Love of Your Love." Kevin Smith's baritone voice is wickedly beautiful and sexy. Though the listening pleasure is short (only 9 songs) the fact that these songs came from this genre was incredible. I have to say though, the instrumentals on this CD was not as provocative and in depth as the other orchestration from Mr. LoDuca.

Xena's "The Bitter Suite" is, without exaggeration, the most thoughtful, complex, ambitious, disturbing, and ultimately satisfying piece of fictional television I have ever seen. This episode of the series was the culmination and climax of more than two and one half years of series' episodes. Truthfully, watching this episode without seeing most of the 60 preceding episodes would be an exercise in futility. The beauty and complexity of the storytelling is such that nearly every action the characters take; nearly every word of dialog spoken; every nuance of set design, props, costuming, makeup, music and lighting have deep, multiple, and contradictory but logically consistent layers of meaning. The multiple Emmy nominated soundtrack itself is a masterwork of ideas and emotions, examining the human heart in conflict with itself. The story shows how the greatest of us are made small by hate, and how we can all be redeemed through love. In the end, when Xena herself sings "Forgive those who would harm you, do good for those who hate. Forgive, if not forget, I know its not too late." It gives me the hope that maybe, just maybe, she's right.

This cd is great. i prefer the vocals over the music. the tunes are catchy, and you can get the story of the episode from the songs. the sound quality is great, and lucy lawless is really good at singing. the best song is "the song of the fool". a copy of most of the lyrics is included. i reccommend this disk, it's better than most of the other xena cds. they'r all great, this one just takes the cake

If you're anything like me, you wanted to kick yourself about half way through this particular Xena episode. My regret was that I hadn't had the foresight to record the episode. Now I can remove a small amount of guilt from my conscience. This CD is phenomenal! The first two tracks are immensely enjoyable, LoDuca really has a talent for pulling in his listeners. The musical numbers are likewise enthralling. Kevin Smith (Ares) has an amazing voice, while Lucy Lawless possesses a voice which soars beautifully, yet is subtle and understated. Ted Raimi (Joxer) does his part wonderfully, and the casting for Gabrielle's singing voice was masterfully done. I felt that Callisto's voice was a bit outlandish, especially because she was speaking on the CD, but that was only a minor irritation. I was slightly perturbed with the third track when the chorus begins singing the annoying refrain along with Callisto. LoDuca's music is otherwise beautifully composed, wonderfully conducted, and exquisitely sung. This is a "must have" for Xena and musical fans alike!

I have enjoyed quite a few of these TV-musical endeavors (the newest of these being the now-famous Season Six "Once More with Feeling" episode of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer") and I credit this episode of "Xena" for their recent popularity. If for no other reason that to exhault in the beauty of two star-quality, velvet-thick voices--those of Lucy Lawless and the, sadly, late Kevin Smith--this CD is worth time out of your busy day.

Although a wonderful endeavor, however, only the staunchest fan of musicals need apply. This CD is eclectic and even cacophonous at times, and certainly mystifying to those who did not see the corresponding "Xena" episode. It's one bizarre trip (not unlike the Melrose Place-like spiral that the show took over the last few years). But if you can see your way through to the end and then give it a second and even a third full listen, it will really grow on you.

Think of it this way: you kept watching the show, right, after Xena died and was reborn again, and again, and... well, again? If you were that devoted, you were much moreso than I, and I simply adore this CD.