[.ca] Scarlet Pimpernel

From Amazon.com:
Somewhat infamous for appearing on Broadway in numerous revisions without ever really clicking, Frank Wildhorn and Nan Knighton's Scarlet Pimpernel is represented in its earliest form in this 1991 concept album. The story, borrowed from the classic Baroness Orczy novel, follows Sir Percy Blakeney, an Englishman who uses his foppish image as a cover for his undercover adventures rescuing people from the guillotine during the French Revolution. He must, however, be careful around his new wife, the French actress Marguerite, whom he doesn't entirely trust. This is the first of three recordings of this score, and it's the most uneven, using its "concept album" status as an opportunity to rather awkwardly mix a variety of styles, from harpsichord-driven "period" pieces to power-pop ballads to a flamenco (?) number. Even with that caveat, it might be the most enjoyable of the three simply because of the presence of pop diva Linda Eder. Wildhorn's wife was along for the many stages of Jekyll & Hyde but sang Pimpernel only on this recording, and her tracks can stand alone as a pretty satisfying pop album: "Home Again," "When I Look at You," "Now When the Rain Falls," "I'll Forget You," "You Are My Home" (with Peabo Bryson), "The Riddle" and "Our Separate Ways" (both with Dave Clemmons), and "There Never Was a Time" (with Chuck Wagner). In addition, listening to Eder wrap her golden vocal cords around that favorite tune of cabaret singers, "Storybook," may itself be worth the price of the CD. --David Horiuchi

Undiscovered Treasure!!!!:
I recently purchased a Christine Andreas title "Love is Good" and found myself drawn to the song "Storybook." I have had no exposure to the production "The Scarlet Pimpernel" where the song originated. This concept album is a pleasant surprise. Frank Wildhorn and Nan Knighton, the production's composer and lyricist spin this story into a treasury of wonderful songs. The performers are first rate and add to the strength of this entry. Most notable would be Linda Eder. All one has to do is play "Storybook" and her haunting vocals take the listener to the heart of "Pimpernel's" Mauguerite. Do not let the harsh comparisons of Eder's voice to that of other vocal divas stop you from buying this or any of Eder's material. She is a powerful vocalist in her own right and lacks the "nasal" grating of some Streisand and Dion recordings that make some listeners reach for the next selection button. Streisand's and Dion's awful, screamfest ballad "Tell Him" penned by Linda Thompson, Walter Afanasieff and David Foster is proof of this. Linda Eder, Chuck Wagner, Peabo Bryson and Dave Clemmons deliver a recording you'll listen to over and over again. Enjoy!

Never heard such an amazing record:
The first song I heard from this album by accident was, Home again. It gave me a flash, and this was the reason, why I wanted to find out more about the story and the record. "I'll forget you" is another very good song! But in my opinion the Encore-version creates a different, not to say better, atmosphere, because Marguerite is more conscious about her situation, and although Linda Eder has a WONDERFUL voice, I think, the other version is more authentic, cause Linda's voice is too strong for this kind of song. Another point of view is the role of Marguerite itself, Linda doesn't represent the typical French woman. So I'm of the opinion, that on the Concept Album there is no sign of acting, but just interpreting songs (which isn't necessarily bad!) In some other parts I'd say Linda on of the best singers anyway, because SHE knows how to work with her voice. But here it is simply a way of presenting a new work by Frank Wildhorn. So the value of acting is not that important. Frank Wildhorn is a great composer, and I'm often surprised in which ways he gives one songs two "styles". One significant example is "Only love" which is NOT on this record, but still a part of this musical (Whoever is interested in a version sung by Linda Eder just look at her albums) Or another good example is "I'll forget you" as mentioned above. On the one hand there is the song that tells a story, and tries to create a certain mood (Encore-version) and on the other hand, we have a wonderful ballad (concept). I'm not sure, whether there can be distinguished between a first place song or a second rate one... you have to decide which style you prefer. But I think all versions of Scarlet Pimpernel are a MUST for every Pimp-fan. One thing I really pity is, that they cut out "Marguerite"... or "Our separate ways" (the latter one has some Spanish style- nice to listen to!!!) But the most important aspect of the Concept version is that everything sounds full. The choir and the orchestra sound bigger (and in my opinion better) than on the other versions, which makes this record more special. The last thing I can tell you is to do your thing and buy this record ;)

Intriguing concept album:
Of course, not all the songs are perfect, but the casting of Linda Eder as Marguerite was. She makes as charismatic a leading lady here as she did on the Jekyll and Hyde albums. I'm glad that the casting of Percy and Chauvelin changed, because, although the performers had great voices (particularly Chuck Wagner), they didn't seem to fit their roles. The early stage of this highly entertaining musical is fun to listen to, if only to see the development of the piece as the composers went along. There are a few tracks on here that I prefer to the later Broadway versions, most notably the title song. The orchestration of "Into the Fire" is more stirring, too, especially the ending.

Buy It For the Songs That Didn't Make It:
This CD is worth getting only for "Marguerite", "Now When the Rain Falls", "Our Separate Ways", and "There Never Was a Time". These four are songs that were cut out of the show before it even made it to Broadway. If you want to hear these songs, get the Broadway recording. "The Riddle" doesn't have Percy singing. "They Seek Him Here" is one chorus and a verse, for heaven's sake! Also, Chuck Wagner is no where near as good as Doug Sills, same goes for the others. However, "Marguerite" is icily beautiful and the others equally pretty. If you are an obsessive Pimpernel fan, get the CD or the tape. If you are interested in the musical, get the Broadway.

A sane opinion:
The reviews you will generally see of this CD will compare it to the OBC. These reviewers will swear by the OBC and how ideal the cast was... Poppycock. This CD is better for several reasons. First of all, Doug Sills (the broadway Percy) is a great performer and all but he is about one tenth the singer that Chuck Wagner is. Moreover, this CD benefits from the presence of Dave Clemmons, a veteran musical star. The one thing that is annoying about this recording is the presence of Linda "Streisand" Eder. Since the original concept album was completely dominated by her, her usually grating immitation of Babs can become a real headache.

• Home Again
• Into the Fire
• They Seek Him Here
• Scarlet Pimpernel
• When I Look at You
• Marguerite Prelude
• Marguerite
• Madame Guillotine
• Riddle
• Now When the Rain Falls
• Scarlet Interlude
• Creation of Man
• Storybook
• You Are My Home
• I'll Forget You
• Our Separate Ways
• There Never Was a Time
• Pimpernel Fanfare