Kristin Chenoweth's Album Reviews:
Read reviews and rate Kristin Chenoweth and help define the Austin TX music scene for your fellow friends on Unlock Austin.
| Wicked is WICKED! |
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| I purchased this soundtrack for my daughter. She loves it (and the play) The 2003 cast is pretty awesome and the music is highly entertaining.
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| If you loved the show, youll enjoy this disc |
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| Overall this is a good quality recording (it is a Broadway show, after all - what else would you expect). There are a few parts where the characters are speaking rather than singing, and those are hard to hear. But in general if you loved the show (and I did!) this is a very enjoyable CD.
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| When people hear this they will SCREAM! |
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| ...in delight.Let me start by saying that when my sister and mom came home raving about this play, the first thing that popped into my head was overrated and I thought they were going on and on just because theyd only seen it for the first time. So, I had no particular desire to see it.I walked into my sisters room and she was playing Popular. At first listen, it was a nice little ditty, but shed play it over and over, and I found myself wandering into her room more often. I fell in love with the song.On Tuesday, I went to the play in Chicago with my family, and words cant even describe how much I love this show. The characters were terribly affecting, and, if its possible, a few of the songs were even more so.I realize the show is more of a Disney version of the book than it is accurate, but it doesnt bother me at all. It still conveys the emotion (more so than does the book, I think), and it is still very, very poignant. I deeply regret the fact that I dont live in New York, and as a result I didnt have a chance to see the original cast, but I love the show all the same. Almost every song is irreplaceable.No One Mourns the Wicked - 8/10. This is a great show-opener, and I love the opening chords both played and sung. It does get a bit mushy with Kristin Chenoweths opera (though by no means am I putting her voice down), but otherwise provides an excellent introduction to the story.Dear Old Shiz - 6/10. On the CD, it pretty much does nothing for me. However, I love the harmonies and the emphasized zzzz at the end, and being that its so short, I see no reason to skip it.The Wizard and I - 10/10. Idina Menzel shines on this song. Every time I listen to this song, I feel a pang of sadness when she starts to sing about the celebration throughout Oz, thats all to do with me. Shes so optimistic in this song, and I cant help but be touched by it.What Is This Feeling? - 9/10. The only reason Im not giving this a 10 is because this is a song thats a lot better live. It needs the physical interaction. Menzel and Chenoweth are both hysterical on this song, but this version (for me), leaves something to be desired. When I saw the show in Chicago, Kristy Cates (Elphaba) did a sort of a little Glinda-esque jig to mock her. That alone made me love the song.Something Bad - 7/10. I like this song because its important to the plot. But otherwise, its not exceptional.Dancing Through Life - 8/10. This song needs to be live to be appreciated. After just one listen, I wasnt impressed with Norbert Leo Butzs voice, but it grew on me. And I absolutely LOVE the little song with Boq and Nessarose. Its the reason I listen to the song.Popular - 10/10. This was the first song I ever heard off the CD, so I cant help but love it. Its witty, its funny, and at times, its touching (when Elphaba says I have to go).Im Not That Girl - 9/10. If youre a teenage girl, be prepared to love this song. Be prepared to identify with it. Idina Menzel shows her versatility by singing this song, for it is the one song on the CD where she doesnt have an especially high or belt-worthy note. But its touching and there are a couple of lines that I love. (She whos winsome, she wins him for one.)One Short Day - 9/10. This is another song that benefits from a live performance. With that said, its still fun to listen to on the CD.A Sentimental Man - 9/10. I like this song. Its nothing extraordinary, but I like it all the same.Defying Gravity - A million/10. This is, by far, the best song on the CD. Idina Menzel steals the show with this show-stopper. I get chills when I listen to this song, and even more of them when I think of the message behind this song. If youre looking for a really good screw you song, this is it. And it has amazing vocals to boot.Thank Goodness - 9/10. This is a good Act II opener. Its funny, its bittersweet, and its fun to listen to. My only qualm is that there are some cheesy lines in here. Particularly when Kristin Chenoweth sings There are bridges you crossed you didnt know you crossed until you crossed. Thats too many uses of the word crossed in one sentence for me.Wonderful - 9/10. I like this song for the lyrics and Joel Greys voice. I wish he had more songs on the CD, but hey, beggars cant be choosers.Im Not That Girl (Reprise) - 7/10. Its a good song in that it gives you a feeling for the true depth of Glindas emotions. Its not even a minute, so its not really that much of a song anyway, but its a nice lead-in to As Long As Youre Mine.As Long As Youre Mine - 10/10. This is a song that grew on me. At first, it was a bit too poppy for me, but it has emotion. I like Norbert Leo Butzs voice a lot better in this song than in Dancing and I think he sounds great with Idina Menzel.No Good Deed - 10/10. This is probably one of the most heart-wrenching songs on the whole CD. We all feel for Elphaba when she finally decides to become wicked, and my heart breaks every time she screams Fiyeros name. There is so much raw emotion in this song that its hard not to love it.March of the Witch Hunters - 7/10. Its an okay song. Not one of the better ones, but it makes you root for Elphaba even more.For Good - 20/10. This is my favorite song. It makes me cry every time I hear it. The emotion in this song is so believable and real. The friendship between Glinda and Elphaba is so touching, and its so sad to know that its finally at end. This is more of a climax to the show than the finale is.Finale - 6/10. Good ending. `Nuff said.Im in love with this entire CD. Its not at all a waste of money to go and buy it.
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| Pleasant, different, and BIG!! |
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| Not up to the book, but tries valiantly to capture the realtionship between the 2 witches ( pre Dorothy). Works 80% of the time, a little less music and a little more character and plot development would have helped. Still, some fine tunes, dazzling effects and powerhouse performances by Idina Menzel and Kristen Chenowith. While I didnt leave the theater feeling elated, I wasnt disappointed either. Not a great musical, but pleasant!
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| Bewitching! |
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| Wicked is by far one of the best musicals to debut in years. The original Broadway cast recording features the dazzling vocal talents of Idina Menzel as Elphaba and Kristen Chenoweth as Glinda. The musical (which is based on Gregory Maguires novel of the same name) tells the story of the life of the Wicked Witch of the West, who has been immortalized as one of the greatest villains in movie history. Wicked tracks Elphabas (a.k.a. the Wicked Witch) life story from birth to university, where she ends up with the spoiled, self-absorbed Glinda as a roommate. It turns out that Elphaba isnt really wicked at all: shes actually more of a good witch than Glinda, especially in the beginning. These two very different women form an unlikely friendship, and they are ultimately torn apart when Elphaba learns about the corrupt and evil dealings of the Wizard of Oz and decides to take matters into her own hands. Theres also a love triangle between the two witches and Fiyero, a fellow student at Shiz University. Elphaba and Glinda eventually find themselves making different choices that lead them on two different paths. Unlike Maguires novel, the musical version of Wicked has a semi-happy ending, and the show challenges people to recognize the illusions of good, evil, and beauty.The music and songs in this show are truly outstanding. Menzel and Chenoweth are both outstanding vocalists. They shine in their solo numbers (The Wizard and I, Defying Gravity, Perfect) and blend wonderfully together (What is This Feeling?, For Good). The soundtrack also features a beautiful love song performed by Elphaba and Fiyero (As Long As Youre Mine) as well as several outstanding ensemble numbers (No One Mourns the Wicked, One Short Day).I have a feeling that every person who sees this show eventually ends up buying this CD. If you arent able to see the show in person, this CD is the next best thing. Youll listen to it all the time!
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