Kiss Me Kate - 1999 Broadway Cast

Advantages: Radical, ingenious compositions and arrangements, a motherlode of invention!
Disadvantages: Not for everyone; as with Kate's other albums, TIME will reveal the surreal beauty of these works.

...(from Lionheart [1978]). The chorus is a lovely, sinuous, melodic loop not unlike an Irish jig (courtesy of uillean pipes and violin) with accents from the jagged, descending line of Let me, let me, let me gooo! Might this refer to an ill-conceived escape of some sort? Another wonderfully offbeat track that grows on you with time. 8. All the Love starts quietly with a piano chord, a brief sigh, then Kate's bright, jazzy, Steely Danesque piano breezes in, ending each phrase with an intriguing key change. Against this bluesy backdrop, Kate ponders, The first time I died Was in the arms of good friends of mine They kiss me with tears They hadn't been near me for years Say why do it now When I won't be around, I'm going out? Could this also be a self-referential song about her complete devotion to her work... Read review

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Advantages: Fun songs, great cast
Disadvantages: Not for children or the easily offended

...he is, though Rod screechingly denies it). Nicky says he wouldn't mind 'If You Were Gay', and drives Rod mad with his song about it. Cue some ludicrous rhymes and another jolly tune. Hilarious, as long as you're prepared to throw your political correctness out of the window. That idea will come back later... 'Purpose' finds Princeton in determined mood in one of the show's most typical 'Broadway' moments, and one of the few songs that I could see being heard out of the show's context. Complete with a supportive chorus, Princeton sings 'I'm gonna find my purpose ... gotta find me' in an upbeat pop fashion. Then, uh-oh, Princeton inadvertently offends Kate Monster (another puppet character), who thinks he is racist towards monsters. But Princeton soon points out that 'Everyone's a Little Bit Racist'. Soon, it becomes obvious... Read review

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Advantages: First Broadway Rocky since the early 80s
Disadvantages: Only really for collectors, acquired taste

...I was lucky enough to see this production with this cast on Broadway - I say lucky in that many Brits wouldn't have got that chance and because I saw it for free. However, if I had had to pay the $80 or something the tickets were selling for, I'd have been very disappointed indeed. I am also reviewing from a promotional only copy, which I believe is simply a pre-release rather than markedly changed as it contains the same cast. I also got it free! The album contains all the regular stage show songs, including Once In A While, with the occasional introductory speech before a song. This would not be an album I would recommend to those who have never heard either the Picture Show album or the Roxy Cast album as the songs are treated somewhat differently and might put you off the stage version in the UK if you hadn't already heard... Read review

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