[.ca] Scarlet Pimpernel: Encore

From Amazon.com:
After a "concept" CD and then an original cast album, this is the third recording of Frank Wildhorn's The Scarlet Pimpernel. What basically happened was that the show was faltering on Broadway, but a couple of deep-pocketed producers saw it, loved it, and decided to finance a revised version with a new director and new cast members (Rachel York replacing Christine Andreas and Rex Smith replacing Terrence Mann). This Encore CD mixes recordings by both casts and adds two bonus tracks (by Peabo Bryson and Wildhorn powerhouse Linda Eder) from the concept recording. The protracted history here may be as hard to follow as the show's plot, but then Pimpernel has always been about more than mere narrative subtleties. It's about bombast, showmanship, in-your-face theatrics, and a couple of power ballads. And it's all on this recording. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Thank you!:
In all honesty, I bought this album before the OBC album. I wasn't sure which one I liked better until I read the book... I got a better understanding of where the characters came from... and I must admit that I much more prefer Rex Smith to Terrance Mann. While Mann's performances were musically accurate, I felt that Rex Smith nailed the hard core reality of The Falcon - Chauvelin. His greed, determination, and aggression came out brilliantly in this recording. I also loved the new version of "Storybook" - a delightful tune. I'm sorry that the piano book does not come with "I'll Forget You", a wonderfully romantic, dramatic piece for performers. I'm thrilled to have this compilation of tracks selected by Frank Wildhorn. I'm happy to agree with him on the choices he's made for this album, they're wonderful. Thank you!

Not Quite As Good As . . .:
the original broadway cast. I loved rachelork's songs but rex smith seemed to not capture the depth of emotion that characterizes Terry mann's Chauvelin. This CD is worth getting if only for Storybook and i'll forget you. my favorite song from the OBC recording, Only love sung b christine Andreas, is not on this album. linda Eder's version is horrible, so definitely get the OBC.

I love this CD, but with one regret.:
This happens to be my first "The Scarlet Pimpernel" cast recording CD. For another time, after J & H, I was amazed by the magic power of Frank Wildhorn's music, for which the brilliance has done absolute justice to the fascinating story of Scarlet Pimpernel as a musical. Every dramatic moment is captured so well and everything in the story: love and hatred, thrillingness and comicality, power and passion, is delivered with such vividness. Driven by the eagerness to hear the complete recording of the show, I then bought the original Broadway cast recording CD. But very soon, I went back to the "Encore" simply because I like the voices in the new cast so much. Comparing to Christine Andreas, Rachel York's voice is obviously stronger in the role of Marguerite. Rachel sings solid, with power as well as with subtleties, plus she sounds very French. In the new song "I'll Forget You", she expresses the sadness and sorrow so touchingly. Both Terrence Mann and Rex Smith play excellent Chauvelin. Although I like Terrence Mann very much, I have to give more applause to Rex Smith for his dramatic vocal delivery. He gives more depth and dimensions to the character with the strong contrasting between, his rough and growling ("The Falcon In The Dive"), and his tender and emotional ("Where Is The Girl"). Douglas Sills, who defined Scarlet Pimpernel in both original and new cast, perfectly portrays the two-faced Englishman Percy. At one moment his emotional singing in the sad tones of "Prayer" and "When I Look At You" could break your heart, while at another he would amuse you to the full with the disguising foolishness. It is a pity that this CD is not a complete cast recording of the revival, with only four songs featuring the new voices. The magnificence of the new cast, which have brought freshness and spontaneity to the songs, are certainly deserves a complete hearing. But still, for all my fondness to this story and the music, despite the regret, I adore this CD.

Frank Wildhorn is Brilliant!:
I've only recently purchased this CD, yet I've listened to is so many times that I virtualy have it completly memorized. I love it! The Scarlet Pimpernel is my favorite book, and the musical adaptation, which I had the great pleasure of attending, is also one of my favorite theater experiences. As the novel succeeds in conveying deep, conflicting, and unyeilding emotions, so does the musical (and the songs within that musical featured on this CD). The singers are all wonderful and still manage to give me chills when I listen to them. I would definitely recomend this product to anyone, you can't beat Frank Wildhorn! It's great!

A Refreshing Sound:
...It truly is refreshing to find more of the sweeping, emotionally-scored musicals I have grown to love. This particular copy blends the talents of both Broadway casts. Rex Smith and Douglas Sills in particular do an amzing job. Witty, emotional and highly-addictive, this musical deserves ten times the attention it has recieved. For those of you who love Phantom, Les Mis, Jeckyll and Hyde, Jane Eyre and more, this is the musical for you!!

• Overture
• Storybook
• Madame Guillotine
• Prayer
• Into the Fire
• Falcon in the Drive
• Scarlet Pimpernel
• When I Look at You
• Where's the Girl?
• When I Look at You (Reprise)
• Creature of Man
• Marguerite's Dilemma
• Riddle
• Entr'acte
• They Seek Him Here
• She Was There
• Where's the Girl?
• I'll Forget You
• Into the Fire
• You Are My Home
• Only Love