Aida (2000 Original Broadway Cast) [CAST RECORDING]

Heather Headley, West End Orchestra & Chorus, Elton John, Tim Rice, Adam Pascal, Sherie Rene Scott

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 6, 2000)
• Original Release Date: June 6, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Cast Recording
• Label: Walt Disney Records
• ASIN: B00004RCVM
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (277 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #9,620 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

For his second Broadway musical (and first time out writing a full show directly for the stage), Elton John certainly set his sights high by turning to one of the grandest of all operas as a source. His continued collaboration with lyricist Tim Rice has produced a work far closer to the agreeable pop style and formula of the team's Disney musical, The Lion King, than to the majesty and tragic passion of Verdi's opera. But the compelling tale of conflicting loyalties and star-crossed lovers--retooled in part by acclaimed playwright David Henry Hwang--inspires some of John's signature melodic felicity, as in "Elaborate Lives" and "Every Story Is a Love Story." And the original cast recording marks a dramatic leap forward from 1999's dreary mishmash studio concept album, thanks to the heat generated by Heather Headley and Rent star Adam Pascal as the forbidden lovers. Sherie René Scott can turn on a dime from a parodic stance ("My Strongest Suit") to sad resignation ("I Know the Truth"), while the three get to blend in the ensemble "A Step Too Far"--a pop counterpart to the intensity of operatic ensemble. The score touches on reggae and gospel, and on all-out rock balladry (where it's fun to hear Pascal clearly imitating John's characteristic vocal inflections), but it's most touching in the more reflective moments given to Headley's dignified Nubian princess. --Thomas May

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

75 of 78 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An "Enchantment Passing Through", September 12, 2000

By	RJStuart (Australia) - See all my reviews

"What is this Rubbish?!", I thought to myself when I first listened to 'Aida'. I thought that Elton John's music was ordinary, and Tim Rice's lyrics were nothing special. I had heard Adam Pascal in 'Rent', and not being a big fan of 'Rent', I was not thrilled with his voice. I thought Sherie Rene Scott's voice was more like a screech, and, well I didn't mind Heather Headley's voice that much. That was my first listen, and after that I just put it away for a couple of months.

After a few more listens I actually came to enjoy 'Aida' more and more, and now I just cannot stop listening to it. Based on the opera, by Verdi, 'Aida' follows the love-story of Nubian Princess, Aida (Heather Headley), and her nation's enemy, the Captain of the Egyptian Army, Radames (Adam Pascal). Yet, Radames is betrothed to Princess Amneris (Sherie Rene Scott), Pharaoh's daughter. Radames must chose love or power, and his choice of love leads to tragic circumstances.

Husky, yet versatile in range, Pascal's voice grew on me, and I believe that he portrays Radames very well. Listeners are first introduced to Radames in the song, "Fortune Favours the Brave". This fast-paced rock song is sheer brilliance on the part of John and Rice. Pascal's voice fits into this type of song perfectly. But as I listened more I discovered that his voice fitted into most of the songs on this album. He develops his character from a follower of his father's commands, to a man who decides his own fate.

Heather Headley's portrayal of the proud, majestic Aida is brilliant. Headley adds so many dimensions to her character; she is a lover, she is passionate and strong-willed, and she is loyal to her nation and her people. Headley has great range in her voice, especially in "Dance of the Robe", the gospel-like "The Gods Love Nubia", and the sombre "The Past is Another Land". She performs all of these songs with great passion and precision, and one can not help but admire her.

"My Strongest Suit", what a song!!!! Sherie Rene Scott's performs this song with great enthusiasm, and I think she is just brilliant. She plays the part of the superficial Princess Amneris. Listeners observe great contrasts between the princesses; Aida being strong-willed, proud, and magestic, and Amneris being shallow and materialistic. Yet, listeners observe an inner-emotional dimension to Amneris when she sings the song "I Know The Truth", as she realises that Radames loves Aida and not her.

Pascal, Headley and Scott all perform absolutely brilliantly, and I am sorry that I doubted them in my first listening of 'Aida'.

However, the best songs in 'Aida' are when the three leads collaborate together. The duet between Pascal and Headley in "Enchantment Passing Through" creates an inspiring beauty, as with the lovely "Written in the Stars". But listeners are in for an even bigger treat when Pascal, Headley and Scott combine to sing the compelling songs of "Not Me", "Elaborate Lives", and "A Step Too Far". These songs are truly brilliant!!!

I urge potential buyers of 'Aida' to listen to the album more than once if you don't like it the first time, because it contains some fantastic music; Elton John should be commended, as he has created a musical with period as well as contemporary music. All too often lyricists are forgotten, but Tim Rice's lyrics are just as good they have ever been, they can compare to some of his earlier musicals, such as 'Evita' or even 'Chess'. 'Aida' is truly an album to purchase if not for the score, for the incredible vocal talents of Pascal, Headley and Scott. Buy this and be enchanted!

34 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I REALLY LIKE THIS!, June 23, 2000

By A Customer

After the "All-Star" Album, I was a bit nervous about the real recording. But it turned out to be one of the best Broadway albums I have ever heard.

Now, I'm not one of those Elton John freaks who will tell you to buy anything he makes. I don't even own an Elton album. But the fact remains that this is a wonderful album.

The album starts with the slow ballad "Every Story is a Love Story" that blends ingeniously into the pop-rock song "Fortune Favors the Brave." Other note-worthy songs: "How I Know You," "Elaborate Lives," "A Step Too Far," "Written in the Stars."

The vocal talent on the CD is excellent. Heather Headley is wonderful as Aida (she deserves the Tony...and I'm just going off the album!) Adam Pascal (of Rent fame) is good as Radames, but seems to have some trouble with the slower songs; his voice is better suited to the faster rock and roll songs. At times he also sounds scarily like Elton John. Sherie Rene Scott is also good as Amneris.

I know some of you are going to scoff, thinking John&Rice will never compare to Sondheim. And this is true. But the album is good enough that I would recommend it to you. Elton John and Tim Rice fans should pick it up without a doubt, but for the rest of you, I would say it's worth a look.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A performer's playground, June 14, 2000

By	Donald (Ohio) - See all my reviews

This score is a lesson in mediocraty. The lyrics are uneven and unrepresentative of Rice's usually good work. The score, mainly Gospel and Pop-Rock, fails to take advantage of the musical moments the story lends. There are two cultures in this show, the Egyptians and the Nubians. The music should have reflected the differences of the two cultures, and what happens when the cultures meet via the two young lovers. The score makes no such attempts. Each song in the score sounds like a totally seperate track, not part pf a larger work. (This is not a good thing). The songs are generally enjoyable, if formulaic. Fortuantly, most of the songs allow the immensly talanted cast to shine. Headly shows off her wonderful voice in every song she sings. "My Strongest Suit," one of my personal favorites from the show, lets Scott release the diva inside. Pacale sings his songs well, though he is most effective in "Fortune Favors the Brave," possibly because that song is very RENT-esque. These three performers are talented enough to carry the album and make it enjoyable. Buy it for them, not for the score.