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From Amazon.com:
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
If you don't love it you don't like Great music:
I had heard many great things about this musical when it first appeared on Broadway. I had the privilege of seeing it in London in 1997 and bought the sound track as soon as I returned to the US. The audience in london was tapping toes and clapping hands from start to finish, as were myself , and my family. Even my Teenage son once he heard the soundtrack it was difficult to get it back from him. I've since seen a pay perview video and the musical again. My spouse has seen it now three times never ceases to please. The soundtrack just keeps the pleasure current. I'd listen to it until the CD Wears out if possible, and see it again and again.
Energetic and fun!!!:
If you like songs from the 50's and 60's you will love this CD. Some of my favorite songs on it are "Jailhouse rock", "Yakity yak", and "I'm a woman". it's great music for dancing or working out. Get it and have fun!!!!
Could you repeat that?!:
Everything everyone says is true! This is a GREAT CD!You'll want to get two copies.You can't listen to it and not dance!This is one cd that you won't have to skip over tracks to get to the next "good" song.You'll listen to it all the way through. Press the REPEAT button on your cd player!
An incredible taste of the best songs ever written:
The combination of Leiber and Stoller is amazing. Together they created some of the best known hits of the 50s and 60s. Who could forget "Jailhouse Rock"? Along with "Jailhouse Rock" many other songs grace the stage in Smokey Joe's Cafe. Get this CD. It is one of the best Broadway musicals I have seen. The talent displayed by this cast is unparalled... even better than the original recording in some cases! I highly recommend this to ANYONE. Heck, I've been listening to it for 5 years... and I'm only 20!
A 50s& 60s-Romantic & Energetic Collection:
I first heard the CD about 4 years ago and listened to it countless times. Then the road tour came to Olympia, WA, and I went to see it. What a pleasure it was to see it, the singers have great voices and just bring the music alive, making it enjoyable. I particularly enjoyed "Little Egypt", and "I'm a Woman..." I recommend this CD to anyone who loves listening to the good times of the 50s and 60s and anyone who has to the chance to see the performance, go and see it! You won't regret it :)
| Artist: | Soundtracks & Original Casts | | Binding: | Audio CD | | EAN: | 0075678276521 | | Format: | Cast Recording | | Format: | Import | | MPN: | 82765 | | Number Of Discs: | 2 | | Original Release Date: | 1995-05-30 | | Release Date: | 2002-09-24 | | Running Time: | 95 minutes | | UPC: | 075678276521 |
Tracks:- Neighborhood
- Young Blood
- Falling
- Ruby Baby
- Dance with Me
- Neighborhood (Reprise)
- Keep on Rollin'
- Searchin'
- Kansas City
- Trouble
- Love Me/Don't
- Fools Fall in Love
- Poison Ivy
- Don Juan
- Shoppin' for Clothes
- I Keep Forgettin'
- On Broadway
- D.W. Washburn
- Saved
- Baby, That Is Rock & Roll
- Yakety Yak
- Charlie Brown
- Stay a While
- Pearl's a Singer
- Teach Me How to Shimmy
- You're the Boss
- Loving You
- Treat Me Nice
- Hound Dog
- Little Egypt
- I'm a Woman
- There Goes My Baby
- Love Potion #9
- Some Cats Know
- Jailhouse Rock
- Fools Fall in Love (Reprise)
- Spanish Harlem
- I (Who Have Nothing)
- Neighborhood (Reprise #2)
- Stand by Me
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