Various Artists - The Songs of West Side Story

Four stars because there is something missing, but it's still awesome.

"West Side Story" is a classic musical, and what can people do to the music and still show the songs the way they were? With this CD.

The album opens up with a nice version of "Something's Coming" by All 4 One. They were one of the groups that the more recent *NSYNC and Backstreet Boys had taken influence from. Selena's version of "A Boy Like That" is a great track. She is known for singing from the heart. Michael McDonald, James Ingram, and David Pack sing "Maria," one of the most beautiful songs ever. After that is Brian Setzer doing the prologue music and the famous "Jet Song" keeping it almost exactly to the original, but with guitar playing. Kenny Loggins and Wynona, afterwards, do a good rendition of "Tonight," which is followed by "Cool" performed by Patti Austin, Mervyn Warren, and Bruce Hornsby. "America" is performed by the legends of Natalie Cole and Patti LaBelle, with Sheila E. The funniest and most interesting track is "I Feel Pretty" performed by Little Richard. Tevin Campbell performs "One Hand, One Heart" which is great, but for a moment, everything has been forgotten when the rap version of "Gee Officer Krupke" is performed by a few too many artists to list, but I'll do the crazy thing and list them: Salt-N-Pepa, Def Jef, Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, the Jerky Boys, and Paul Rodriguez. That's all forgotten when Trisha Yearwood sings "I Have a Love."

However, the whole album, to me at least, has been a build up to "Prelude to the Rumble" and "The Rumble." The prelude is performed as an improvised piano solo by jazz legend, Chick Corea. It includes traces of earlier tracks, most noticeable is probably "Maria." That ends with a big musical boom done on piano which leads into a bigger boom performed by Chick Corea's Elektric Band and Steve Vai's Monsters, the latter of which was probably put together just for this album. There's a lot of multiple percussionists, and a lot of other stuff. Steve Vai's guitar playing is, like always, amazing, but I feel that Frank Gambale, Chick Corea's guitarist, after Steve Vai's solo, does a great solo himself. Later on in it, there's a big percussion section, with Steve Vai making guitar sound effects. This could be the first time a lot of the listeners hear Steve Vai, or even Chick Corea, and this really brings out what they're like everywhere else. This track is thought of as a duel between bands, but I feel that they were probably enjoying themselves because I feel that they were heavily working off of each other. The reason that I'm talking more about this than any of the other tracks is because not many other reviews have mentioned "The Rumble" when for a while, that was the only track I'd listen to.

To end the album is "Somewhere" performed by Phil Collins, and earlier on the album, it was performed by Aretha Franklin. Both versions are great. I think of the Phil Collins version almost as a reprise, but there's also a prelude to it. The album was a build-up to "The Rumble" and now that the climax is over, "Somewhere" is like the solution. Most people I know say that Phil Collins should shut up and play the drums, which I honestly agree with. However, I think that he is a good pop singer. He also has a very sweet voice and does a great job singing soft songs. I do think it would be great to hear him play drums on this CD because he is an incredible drummer.

Overall, this is a great album, and except for missing "The Quintet (Tonight Reprise)" which is understandable, this is a great album. June 9, 2008

People Just Get the Point

Leonard Bernstein would have approved of this all star salute put together by ex-Ambrosia's David Pack. Most of the artists are west coast pop stars. Some of the tracks could have used better singers. Although
"A Boy Like That" was Selena's final song before her murder, it might have been done better by Natalie Cole and even put together with "I Have a Love" as in the show. "I Feel Pretty" should have been sung by Celine Dion since she's got the voice. Had he gone to New York he might have gotten some better names. But Pack wanted to do the rightful tribute and he did! The standouts are Kenny Loggins "Tonight" and Packs Three Tenors salute "Maria" with two of his regular singers James Ingram and Mike
McDonald. May 24, 2008

I Don't Have a Love

It's premature for me to do this, but I must. I knew this album had been recorded years ago. For some reason I never bought it, though I'm a huge fan of WSS. I somehow stumbled upon "I Have a Love" on i-tunes. Apple should bow its head in shame, because it doesn't identify ANY of the "various artists" -- I had to come to good ol' Amazon to confirm that it was Trisha Yearwood who sang "I Have a Love." -- Now, this is the only song I've listened to, and I must say this: Trisha has a great voice, no question about that. But WHY did they adjust the melody for her so she didn't have to sing the high notes? She sings the song so beautifully, but then... she doesn't go for it. It fails. The arrangement, which is really quite brilliant, took this incredible Bernstein/Sondheim masterpiece, and gave it this beautiful, touching country-music feel. And Trisha -- wow, she can sing... but then, in the middle of the song, and especially the end of the song... she doesn't go for the money notes. Why? Why bother singing this song, this stupendous heart-tugging melody, this soaring, gorgeous song, unless you're going to sing it right? I'm not saying not to take artistic license, but unless you're deaf, it's very clear that this "arrangement" (which is fantastic) was done to suit Ms. Yearwood's range... but again, why? I'm so upset. I love hearing her sing it... until it's clear she's not really going to! So, I'm sorry, thumbs down, and this fails. I'd rather listen to the original soundtrack and hear the notes the way they were meant to be sung. Change an arrangement; sure; make the notes LESS dramatic and LESS moving? No. But I still love, ya, Trish! (But get some vocal coaching so you can SING the damn thing right!!!) May 9, 2008

Little Richard on "I Feel Pretty" alone is worth the price.

Bought the CD through Amazon after hearing the Little Richard cut, "I Feel Pretty". Playing to type, LR gives one of his all time best performances. This cut alone is worth the price of CD.

The rest of the CD - fair (Tevin Campbell - poor song choice for his otherwise cooool voice) to good (Selena - expected better) to outstanding (Aretha) June 8, 2007

Outstanding!

Hearing Little Richard sing "I feel Pretty" is worth the price alone!
I found this to be a really neat way to introduce younger generations to this classic Broadway show.

I would love to see more R&B versions of Broadway hits.
December 17, 2006

More reviews at Amazon.com ...