Taboo (2003 Original Broadway Cast)

Euan Morton, Boy George, Raul Esparza

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 25, 2004)
• Original Release Date: May 25, 2004
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Drg
• ASIN: B00028HBSY
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #11,071 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
If you were in New York when Taboo was in previews, you would have thought that all the show's drama took place backstage instead of on it--reports of clashes between producer Rosie O'Donnell, director Mark Renshaw and various members of the cast (including author-actor Boy George) appeared almost daily. But guess what: The show turned out to be a lot better than its reputation, and based on its two cast albums, the Broadway version even improved on the London one. The book was spruced up by playwright Charles Busch and Boy George tweaked his score, adding for instance the opening number "Freaks/Ode to Attention Seekers." This welcome recording confirms that Taboo is an underestimated show. Pop and theatrical at the same time, it even delivers show-stopping power ballads (Liz McCartney's "Talk Amongst Yourselves," Cary Shields's "I See Through You") that could have a second life on cabaret stage or even American Idol. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I saw Taboo four times despite mixed feelings., November 14, 2004

By	Wayne Rossi (Mount Holly, NJ United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I loved the cast - Raul Esparza and Euan Morton did truly remarkable jobs, I always claimed that George O'Dowd's "Ich Bin Kunst" was worth the price of admission itself, and the rest of the ensemble was putting out utterly praiseworthy performances. And I loved every note of the score; it's one of the best pop scores of the last ten years, both in the quality of the songs and in the sense of theatricality they have. The problem was the book of the musical: structurally, it was a mess, and a lot of the book scenes left a lot to be desired. It never came together or was driven by any great dramatic logic - and in live theatre, sadly, great performers and score don't make up for that. I loved Taboo dearly, but at the same time I understood exactly why it failed.

But this is the cast recording of the show, not the show itself - so the book is noticeably not a problem. What's left is solid gold: a score shining bright, the performances noticeably just as crisp as they were on the Plymouth Theatre stage. In fact, to my ears, the album sounds pretty much exactly the same. Esparza, Morton, and O'Dowd are once again the heroes - Morton's haunting voice captivates, Esparza is electric and thrilling as ever, and O'Dowd's performances are remarkable and lack the vocal trouble he seemed to be having onstage. Sarah Uriarte Berry's lovely "Il Adore," stripped of the film projection that upstaged her in the stage show, is allowed to be just a personal moment. Liz McCartney's "Talk Amongst Yourselves" is still effecting, and we have fun with Jeffrey Carlson and Cary Shields as well.

This cast album is, in some ways, a vindication of the Broadway show; it is the gold that shone through the dross of the book and kept a small core of fans coming back for more, and more. It is a shame that this brilliant score was not part of a bona fide hit, and it is a shame that Raul Esparza wasn't recognized for his brilliant acting work, but the music is on record for perpetuity, and deserves a listen.

As a side note: this recording of Taboo is very different from the London cast recording. There's great material that isn't on London, and vice versa; as well, all the performances on both albums are excellent. Anyone who can appreciate this beautiful, deeply theatrical score should own both.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing show, amazing music!, January 7, 2005

By	Susan B (NY USA) - See all my reviews

Taboo has a great score and a great cast to perform it. I saw the show once, not knowing what to expect, but by the first number "Freak/Ode To Attention Seekers" I fell in love with it, and the rest was just as good. The songs are great and the cast is very talented. Someone who would be put off by the visuals of the show should still give the music a try (I got some friends in school to listen who I know would never have seen the show, and they liked the music).
I was disappointed that Boy George's score did not win a Tony, nor did the two actors nominated for their roles, Euan Morton and Raul Esparza, who were fantastic. Sadly, it is too late to see the show anymore, but the music still lives on. This album is a great addition to a CD collection and I reccommend buying it if you have not already done so!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Pop CD !, June 18, 2005

By	AJK (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

Despite this being a theatrical score, "Taboo" doubles as a terrific pop cd, filled with many great melodies & messages. Best tracks include:

Stranger In This World
Everything Taboo [great dance song!]
Talk Amongst Yourselves
Out Of Fashion [the voices blend beautifully together]
Il Adore [gut-wrenching song]

It's really too bad the show didn't hang around a bit longer ... maybe it was just ill-timed. I also wish the U.S. version had contained "Touched By The Hand Of Cool", but it was dropped for some reason.

Thanks Rosie for introducing this music to us!