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27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Score---Harder to play than you would think, August 6, 2004
This score, from "Avenue Q", a show described as a combination of "South Park" and Sesame Street", is truly excellent. Be warned--the performers on the CD and in the show may make it seem simple, but some of the songs are hard to play. Believe it or not.
This reduction for voice/piano/guitar is pretty good---it would have been better if they had used an arrangement for vocal line with piano accompaniment. Incorparating the vocal line into the accompaniment works for some of the songs, but the quality of most of the songs is hurt by it. Nonetheless, this score is very playable (although sometimes hard to play) and contains many great songs for recreational use or performances and auditions.
This book contains every song from the show and not one note has been cut (although not all dialouge said in the songs is included). The certain gem of the score is "There's a fine, fine line" the "folk rock" ballad that ends the first act. Simple and melodic, it certainly steals the show. "If you were gay," "Purpose," the "Manilowesque---"Fantasies Come True," and "The More you Ruv someone" are all uniquely composed with a different style in mind. Also very melodic and enjoyable. The upbeat and very similar "It Sucks to Be Me," "Everyone's a Little Bit Racist," and "For Now" are also delightful highlights.
Hilarious, witty songs are contained in this collection. You would be wise to purchase the CD for inspiration on how to perform these songs, if you haven't already. You definately should also see the musical anytime you're in New York for a fun-filled evening or afternoon.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Way It's SUPPOSED To Be Played, November 15, 2005
If you haven't seen the show, go and do it. If you have, well done.
What many piano arrangements for recent Broadway musicals nowadays such as Wicked, Mamma Mia, and Spamalot have in their respective arrangements is a lack of a challenging score to play, though it may sound easy, and how oftentimes, they composer tries to alter the original score into something more adaptive for the public. Although this may sound like a good idea, it really isn't, because as soon as you play it based on the arrangement or sing it, you quickly realize it's not as good as the original, which is what everyone wants, right?
The Avenue Q Piano arrangement, however, keeps all the songs in their original context, letting everyone emulate the classic songs the way they're supposed to be sang. No one wants to sing "Defying Gravity" from Wicked without the chorus back-up or Glinda singing in every now and then, right? Avenue Q gives you the score straight from the source, without awkwardly messing up the original greatness of the music. A must-buy.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the better transcriptions out there!, November 19, 2004
If you loved the show and you play the piano, this is a must-buy.
These 'reductions' or arrangements, for the most part, faithfully recreate the very colorful songs of the musical.
Songs like "It Sucks To Be Me" and "For Now", along with the theme song, are very similar, and bookend the show playfully.
"If You Were Gay" is great fun to play; the arrangement lies nicely under your fingers...
Many, many of the other songs are also a joy to play, sound good, and are of intermediate level, I'd say.
Bottom line: if you're thinking about getting this, do so. It's a no-brainer.
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