Mike Stoller - Smokey Joe's Cafe: The Songs Of Leiber And Stoller (1995 Original Broadway Cast)
Facts
 | |
| Artist(s) | Mike Stoller |
| Studio | Atlantic / Wea |
| Release Date | May 30, 1995 |
| UPC Code | 075678276521 |
About Mike Stoller - Smokey Joe's Cafe: The Songs Of Leiber And Stoller (1995 Original Broadway Cast)
As good as Pomus and Gordy were, they can't compare with the premier rock & roll songwriters of the pre-Beatles era: Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller, Chuck Berry, and Percy Mayfield. The team of Leiber (the lyricist) and Stoller (the composer) created such enduring standards as "Kansas City," "Hound Dog," "Stand By Me," "Spanish Harlem," "Jailhouse Rock," and many more. Those songs and 33 more were assembled into a bookless Broadway musical called Smokey Joe's Cafe, which was nominated for eight Tony Awards. If this soundtrack album is any indication, the show was an abomination, an act of self-betrayal by Leiber and Stoller, who not only participated in putting the show together but also co-produced the album with Arif Mardin. Instead of remaining true to the songs' rock & roll roots, the soundtrack producers have allowed the obscure stage performers to commit Broadway's worst sins: excessive earnestness, undernourished rhythms, and bombastic over-singing. Everyone in the cast has a good singing voice, but no one has a distinctive musical personality. Michael Park's Presley parody on "Jailhouse Rock," B.J. Crosby's confusion of vocal power for vocal attitude on "Hound Dog," and Victor Trent Cook's syrupy version of "I (Who Have Nothing)" prove Broadway chorus dancers are no substitute for real rock & roll singers. --Geoffrey Himes Amazon.com
Tracks
Disc 1
- Act 1. Neighborhood
- Act 1. Young Blood
- Act 1. Falling
- Act 1. Ruby Baby
- Act 1. Dance With Me
- Act 1. Neighborhood (Reprise)
- Act 1. Keep On Rollin'
- Act 1. Searchin'
- Act 1. Kansas City
- Act 1. Trouble
- Act 1. Love Me / Don't
- Act 1. Fools Fall in Love
- Act 1. Poison Ivy
- Act 1. Don Juan
- Act 1. Shoppin' For Clothes
- Act 1. I Keep Forgettin'
- Act 1. On Broadway
- Act 1. D.W. Washburn
- Act 1. Saved
Disc 2
- Baby, That Is Rock & Roll - Leiber, Jerry
- Yakety Yak - Leiber, Jerry
- Charlie Brown - Leiber, Jerry
- Stay a While - Leiber, Jerry
- Pearl's a Singer - Leiber, Jerry
- Teach Me How to Shimmy - Leiber, Jerry
- You're the Boss - Leiber, Jerry
- Loving You - Leiber, Jerry
- Treat Me Nice - Leiber, Jerry
- Hound Dog - Leiber, Jerry
- Little Egypt - Leiber, Jerry
- I'm a Woman - Leiber, Jerry
- There Goes My Baby - Leiber, Jerry
- Love Potion #9 - Leiber, Jerry
- Some Cats Know - Leiber, Jerry
- Jailhouse Rock - Leiber, Jerry
- Fools Fall In Love
- Spanish Harlem
- I (Who Have Nothing)
- Act 2. Yakety Yak
- Stand By Me
- Act 2. Stay A While
- Act 2. Pearl's A Singer
- Act 2. Teach Me How to Shimmy
- Act 2. You're The Boss
- Act 2. Loving You
- Act 2. Treat Me Nice
- Act 2. Little Egypt
- Act 2. I (Who Have Nothing)
- Act 2. Neighborhood (Reprise #2)
- Act 2. Stand By Me
- Act 2. Some Cats Know
- Act 2. Jailhouse Rock
- Act 2. Fools Fall In Love (Reprise)
- Neighborhood (reprise 2)
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User Reviews
Average user review: 
(38 reviews)
Love hearing these songs, most in a different style from the hits. The artists are very good. Two criticisms: First, a few have very abrupt cuts at the end, as if part of the song is dropped. Second, the title song is not on the album even through the insert says that it is on disc 2.
November 17, 2007| |  | Smokey Joe's is Smoking Hot!!! |  |
Saw this on Broadway in 1996, had the last row way in the back of the theater, the songs are memorable to everyone. You will surprised at the songs performed. The vocals are just outstanding. I have purchased this twice (the first one just wore out). Great for long car rides.
October 3, 2007What a FABULOUS CD !!! This is my second purchase of it as a friend
liked it so much when we were listening to it in the car that I pulled
it out and gave it to her to listen to when she drove home, knowing I could get another !!
September 8, 2007This was a great show. The arrangements of the songs were masterful. A pleasure to listen to.
July 31, 2007The album is great, i needed it because i work at a dance studio and i have a dance to the song Trouble. The song and whole album is awesome.
March 30, 2007More reviews at Amazon.com ...
