Jason Robert Brown, Andrea Burns, Jessica Molaskey - Songs For A New World (1996 Original New York Cast)

Jason Robert Brown, one of musical theater's brightest young composers, made his first New York splash in 1995 with Songs for a New World at the WPA Theatre. It's a revue of 16 of his cabaret and theater songs, directed by Daisy Prince (Hal's daughter) and realized by a crack cast of Andrea Burns, Jessica Molaskey, Brooks Ashmanskas, and Ty Taylor (who sang the role on this recording only because cast member Billy Porter had a contractual conflict), with Brown himself leading a small combo from the piano. Soaring melodies and irresistible rhythms mark a wide range of songs that encompass jazz ("Just One Step"), gospel ("The River Won't Flow"), funk ("Steam Train"), and Kurt Weill ("Surabaya Santa," sort of Mrs. Claus's lament as it would be sung by Lotte Lenya). Most memorable are two songs of lost love: the Ashmanskas-Burns duet "I'd Give It All for You," which perfectly captures romantic yearning, and Molaskey's wry yet poignant "Stars and the Moon," which has become something of a jazzy standard, recorded by such luminaries as Audra McDonald and Betty Buckley. Brown went on to win the 1999 Best Score Tony for his powerful Parade, then reunited with Prince on The Last 5 Years. --David Horiuchi Amazon.com

Songs For A New World Wonderful Music

Great CD. What a fantastic composer. Love his music. Can't wait for new broadway musical CD to come out. August 30, 2008

smart and funny

I bought this to replace a copy that a friend walked off with last year. Christmas just isn't Christmas for me without several airings of Surabaya Santa.

I'd like to think that Jason Robert Brown will move past his demonstrable facility with pastiche to do some unique work. Certainly, he's demonstrated on this CD that he understands his predecessors. I eagerly await what he can do as himself. January 13, 2008

Songs for A New World - A truely magnificant musical that soars!

The show, Songs For A World has been the "under ground" hit for musical theater for years. More recently has the muscial come up to be more and more well known (when in 2003 lyrisit/composer Jason Robert Brown's newer show, The Last 5 Years grew widely accomplished).

Songs For A New World first showed off-Broadway in 1995. Jason Robert Brown delivered what is now one of muscial theaters hidden treasurs.

Any true musical theater fan who is tired of the new lack luster shows or revival after revival clustering their shelfs will find this cd a new favorite.

Ironically, all these songs have been selected from differnt shows written by Jason Robert Brown, yet have a noticeable connection. Even Jason Robert Brown wrote, "No one tried to weave these songs together. Yet when the show was completed we couldn't help but notice how many of these characters and songs could be portrayed as the same individual."

For myself, each and every song can be a personel favorite. But of coarse certain numbers clearly rise above the rest.

The New World- Truely one of my favorite songs of all times, from the lyrics, the vocals and the message.

Just One Step - A hilarious and briliant song. You will be humming this hugely catching the first moment you hear it.

Stars and the Moon - A haunting and truely significant song. Any theater fan will appriciate this song for its soluful lyrics and heart warming message.

King of the World - Quite simply, one of the most brilliant vocal performances you will ever hear.

Each actor gives each and every song meaning and heart. And when all four are put together (The New World, The River Won't Flow, Hear My Song) produce awesome results.

This is a MUST HAVE for muscial theater fans who miss shows you can actually listen through entirely! I highly recommend this to be added to your collection!

May 13, 2007

JRB shines!

Jason Robert Brown has really hit the mark with this show. Heartwarming, thought provoking and thoroughly enjoyable. January 4, 2007

Fantastic debut for a talented composer

Already a classic, will bookend a fantastic musical career November 3, 2006

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