The Color Purple (2005 Original Broadway Cast) [CAST RECORDING]

Brenda Russell

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 24, 2006)
• Original Release Date: January 24, 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Cast Recording
• Label: Angel Records
• ASIN: B000C1ZFA2
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (50 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,625 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
On paper, this adaptation of Alice Walker's best-selling novel has all the markings of a hit. It makes Oprah Winfrey's debut as a theater producer, the libretto is by Marsha Norman (Night Mother), and the lyrics and music are by a trio of seasoned pop pros: Allee Willis (the eccentric woman behind "Neutron Dance" and the theme from Friends), Stephen Bray (who worked on such Madonna hits as "True Blue" and "Express Yourself"), and Brenda Russell (the smooth soul-jazz songstress behind "Piano in the Dark"). That team has put together a series of fairly catchy songs that may lack depth but adeptly handle various idioms like gospel ("Mysterious Ways"), R&B ("Push Da Button"), and African rhythms ("African Homeland"). Though the inspirational vibe can get a bit much, softening the edges and preventing genuine artistic complexity, The Color Purple is a great showcase for its cast. As Celie, LaChanze delivers one of her usual sensitive performances, but watch also for Elisabeth Withers-Mendes's Shug--who sings a passionate paean to Celie ("Too Beautiful for Words")--and Renée Elise Goldsberry's Nettie (duetting with LaChange on "African Homeland"). The chance to hear these women strut their stuff almost makes up for the show's weaknesses. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not perfect, but it's got LaChanze!, February 7, 2006

By	Steven Valenti "svclue" (Cleveland, OH) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Well you can call me a big LaChanze fan now.

I admired her on the cast recording of "Once on This Island," but that was a long time ago, and now, in the space of a month, she's appeared in a starring role on two major cast recordings: the new Stephen Flaherty-Lynn Ahrens musical "Dessa Rose" and now this one, "The Color Purple." She's fantastic in both. What is particularly impressive is that though her two characters are not exactly miles apart (both are downtrodden women who age over the course of the show and eventually triumph over troubling beginnings), LaChanze creates two fully realized portraits-- you can listen to both recordings one after another and not mix up her Dessa with her Celie here. This is strong acting and she's very impressive. "Dessa Rose" is long gone, but I'm sure LaChanze can expect a Tony nomination for her work in "Purple."

While we're speculating on nominations, let's not forget Elisabeth Withers-Mendes, who's songstress Shug Avery is a sexy highlight on this recording. Felicia P. Fields also makes a memorable impression on disc as the strong and defiant Sofia. Okay, really the whole cast is good-- men included. They are the best reasons to own this recording.

As for the music-- well it's not the most distinguished you'll hear, but it's fairly full of energy and works well enough. If some of it tends towards the generic, there are also moments of power sprinkled throughout. There's a lot of variety in musical styles (though the time period feels like it moves from the 1930's to the 60's or so, rather than the 10's to the 40's, or really just back and forth all over the century). There are also little "snippets" of music in addition to longer, traditional numbers. That's a trend in musicals I like-- in which not every musical number needs to be a bona fide "song." The score is by first time musical composers Brenda Russell, Allee Willis, and Stephen Bray. If it's not a complete success, it's a worthy attempt, and a perfectly enjoyable listen.

Plus it has LaChanze. (Did I mention she's really, really good?)

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyed a Few Songs, but ..., June 25, 2006

By	MmC (Traverse City, Michigan) - See all my reviews

I really enjoyed a few of the songs, esp. "What About Love", "The Color Purple" & "Hell No" ... but there are so many songs I just skip.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Too beatiful for words, August 9, 2006

By	Dennis Marquez "Dennis" (Den Helder, Holland) - See all my reviews

I'm from the Netherlands, and just got back from my trip to NYC. I saw the show twice, both times at the first row (had to stand in line for six hours both times) and I was totally amazed.

I've see so many shows over the past 15 years but never saw one like this. I think this cast album is especially great when you've seen the show, since it brings back such great memories and lets you go through the show again in a wonderful way. Though it doesn't compare to what you've seen on stage.

I didn't have laChanze both times, but her standby (Kenita) may even have been better, at least I liked her voice better. I want to share this musical with everyone and would recommend it to everyone.

I sort of feel like how Oprah felt when she first read the novel, and started to give away copies to complete strangers. That's how I feel with having seen this shows, I would love to share this with everyone, since it has left me such a great feeling of which I think it's gonna last for a long time. There's only one small issue, and that is that I don't have Oprah's money, so you'll just have to go and buy your tickets yourselves ;) But this CD may be a nice warming-up for the show, and is one of the best cast-albums I own. They should have made a 2-cd with the entire show!

Be inspired!