Gang wars, violence, interracial relationships, dysfunctional families, predjudices, ethnic pride, police, kids. Sounds like we are reading todays newspapers, doesn't it? I am not referring to today's news,I'm referring to the various themes of the songs of the hit musical, West Side Story, which was actually set in New York in 1957. Some things never change. The four creators of West Side Story, wanted to use an old story, Shakespeare's, Romeo and Juliet, to be exact, and recreate it, into something new. The composer, Leonard Bernstein, along with lyricist, Stephen Sondheim, playwright, Arthur Laurents and choreographer and director, Jerome Robbins, did just that, and with such brilliance that it is still poignant and timeless, nearly 50 years later.
This album is a twist to the original recording of West Side Story. It is a tribute to the man who was Leonard Bernstein himself. His friends called him LB or The Mo, short for maestro. He was a musical genius. He was America's first televised music teacher, through shows like Young People's Concerts, which I remember watching as a young child. He was a conductor, lecturer, author, poet, rock music lover and supporter and a political activist.
Leonard Bernstein's dream was to establish a new way of learning through music and all of the arts. He founded the BETA Fund in New York and the Bernstein Center for Education Through the Arts in Nashville, Tennessee. These foundations still exist and his children continue to work on these projects to realise Bernstein's greatest dream. He believed that music could be the tool needed to make kids want to learn. Proceeds from this album go toward continuing to make that dream become a bigger and better reality. This album heightens the awareness of the importance of funds needed for children's education in the arts and music.
Aided by some of the best artists, a dream is being realised. The artists who collaborated on this wonderful album hope to introduce this music to a new generation and to offer to us who already know it, a fresh new sound. Bravo! It works on all accounts
Phil Collins said that it was his boyhood dream to sing, Somewhere. Aretha Franklin had that same dream. So they both did it on this album and they both give it their own distintive mark. It appears that the diversity of ages and styles of the artists who contributed to this album, didn't matter at all. They all showed in their own styles how this show's musical power affected them all.
The songs have remained the same. The artists, as I have stated before have changed. Every song is remarkable and memorable, even in their new versions.
Song # 1: Something's Coming featuring All 4 One
Song # 2: A Boy Like That featuring Selena This song was Selena's last song ever to be recorded, made only three weeks before her tragic murder. This song was one of the shortest songs of the original score, but Selena personalised it by her "new jack/ Latin vibe" It became one of "the cool little tunes" of the album.
Song # 3: Maria featuring Michael McDonald, James Ingram and David Pack. This is one of my favourites on the album. But how could it not be great, with 3 artists like that performing?
Song # 4: Prologue/Jet Song featuring Brian Setzer and the Brian Setzer Orchestra. Superb!
Song # 5: Tonight featuring Kenny Loggins and Wynonna Again, a personal favorite. Their two voices compliment each other and the song so beautifully.
Song # 6: Cool featuring Patti Austin, Mervyn Warren and Bruce Hornsby Need I say more?
Song # 7: Somewhere featuring Aretha Franklin Pure soul!
Song # 8: America featuring Natalie Cole (Nat King's daughter), Patti LaBelle and Sheila E. You can only imagine how this song rocks!
Song # 9: I Feel Pretty featuring Little Richard This version just makes you smile, done in true Little Richard style.
Song # 10: One Hand One Heart featuring Tevin Campbell A truly beautiful version of this song.
Song # 11: Gee, Officer Krupke featuring Salt-N-Pepa, Def Jef, Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes of TLC, The Jerky Boys: Johnny Brennan and Kamal & Paul Rodriguez. Another one of my favourites. Officer Krupke sounds even better and is even more fun than it already was.
Song # 12 I Have Love featuring Trisha Yearwood With a voice like hers, you can't go wrong.
Song # 13: Prelude to The Rumble featuring Chick Corea, on piano solo improvisation His greatness comes through in this short prelude.
Song # 14: The Rumble featuring Steve Vai's Monsters and Chick Corea's Elektric Band Imagine the musical quality on this song! Excellent!
Song # 16: Somewhere featuring Phil Collins Again, a lovely version as only Phil Collins can do it and I'm not even a Phil Collins fan.
Along with these talents,come some amazing session musicians. You will hear the likes of David Benoit on strings and synth colours, Billy Jo Walker Jr. on acoustic guitar, Steve Brewster on drums, Sheila E. on percussions, David Pack, keyboards, as well as a whole host of other musical greats.
This album is about 72 minutes of pure enjoyment. If you want to update an old classic without interfering at all in the greatness of these timeless songs, by all means, go out and buy this album. Not only will you get many years of enjoyment from it, but you will also be contributing to a cause that was the composer's passion. Education, something near and dear to all of us!
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How does it compare to the artist's other releases
Outstanding
How does it rate alongside the competition
Outstanding
Cover / Inlay Design and Content
Outstanding
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