Dr. Horrible's Spring Awakening.

So much of the music business has changed with the internet the past few years.  These days, digital is king.

I have always loved buying the actual compact disc.  I like to hold the CD in my hands.  I like to look through the linear notes.  I'm usually opening the CD as I leave a store even if I don't have immediate access to a player.  Fighting with the annoying sticker at the top is like unlocking a jewel case treasure chest leading you to a wonderful musical discovery.  When I was little I remember being so excited when a local bank said it was offering  FREE CDs!  (I of course was immediately disappointed once I was properly informed what kind of CD they were offering!)

With hesitation, this past year I've made a gradual switch to downloading (legally) from online.  It's usually a lot cheaper and you have it instantly.  Also, more and more artists are releasing exclusive tracks and even albums online.  I will never completely switch digital.  I still love buying vinyl AND I also work in a music department!!!  Plus, there are certain types of music that I still "need" on the CD format.  These include favorite artists that I already have a collection of and Broadway Cast Recordings (I want the libretto.)  These I will copy into my i-Tunes library and add to my ipod.  

However, I have found some great music online.  Let me know or leave a comment if you are interested in more info on some of these (LEGAL) sights.  I can get free downloads for recommending a friend...  (I promise that isn't the purpose of this post!)

The purpose is to tell you about two exciting new releases that came out this past Tuesday exclusively on i-tunes.

First is the "Official" soundtrack to the blog-tastical musical "Dr. Horrible's Sing-A-Long Blog."  Check out my past post about this wonderful piece of entertainment.  The creator Joss Whedon is set to release the dvd (with the soundtrack and specially written musical commentary!) before Christmas.  For now, this is the only way to get the soundtrack (besides inferior bootleg versions that fans have released online.)

The other wonderful release is from an i-tunes series called "i-Tunes LIVE from SoHo."   The cast of the Broadway sensation "Spring Awakening" performed selections from th show at the Apple Store in SoHo.  The songs sound wonderfully raw on this live recording.  They are performed by composer Duncan Shiek, original cast members, as well as "Weeds" star Hunter Parrish (who has gotten great reviews as the current "Melchior" and sounds wonderful on "Left Behind.")  

This is the first Broadway show that has been featured on the i-Tunes series.

In other "Spring Awakening" news.... 

Much like "Wicked: The Grimmerie" (a book about the making of the Broadway musical "Wicked"), "Spring Awakening" has also released a book.  It is called "Spring Awakening: In The Flesh."  It's designed to look like an old vandalized book and contains photographs, costume and set sketches, drafts of the songs, and the entire libretto.

Finally...

Kyle Riabko (who was "Melchior" before Hunter Parrish joined the cast) is currently starring in the touring production.  He has been performing as a singer/guitarist professionally since 15 and has an awesome debut CD.  Check out his website for his great music.  

Here's a different take on the haunting "Left Behind" that he performed this summer at Joe's Pub in NYC.  

Whatcha gonna do when they come for you?

The BAD BOYS of Summer 2008

1. THE JOKER - Heath Ledger gave an absolutely brilliant performance in The Dark Knight.  A very different take from Jack Nicholson's iconic turn in 1988.  Loved that this incarnation didn't have a back story... he was just crazy.  Also loved that his makeup was described as "War Paint."

(Did NOT love Christian Bales "Batman Voice.")

2. DR. HORRIBLE - Joss Whedon (Buffy/Firefly) has created a brilliant Sci-Fi web musical called "Dr. Horrible's Sing-A-Long Blog."  It stars Nathan Fillion (Firefly, Waitress), Felicia Day, and the brilliant Neil Patrick Harris.  I have loved Neil's voice since hearing him in the concert version of "Sweeney Todd" a few years back, but he outdoes himself here as the lovable  Super-Villian-In-Training Dr. Horrible.  (He also was on Broadway "Assassins" and was in "Rent.") You can purchase the 3 part mini-musical on i-tunes.  Each section is about 15 minutes.  It will be the best $3.99 you spend this summer.

 

Check it out HERE.

Here's a the official preview.



Here's my favorite number.

They are releasing a soundtrack and a dvd with a musical commentary later this year!

and finally...

3. The SINGING of Pierce Brosnan - SORRY!  Mamma Mia was a slight disappointment.  It meant well, but I really think it should have been adapted by someone other than the stage director.  Meryl Streep was very likable and really gave her all, but the staging and overall tone of the movie needed to be more campy in my mind.  It's a hard balance because there also is the  story of a mother and daughter that should be very touching.  THAT worked for me because of the performances of Meryl and Amanda Seyfried, but Pierce should NOT have been singing... when he started warbling the audience I was with burst into laughter.  That totally takes you away from the movie.  Besides some of Meryl's numbers, I thought the film REALLY worked when the cast was messing around over the credits in their Abba-esque outfits.

I know a lot of people are loving the movie.  It was fun, but I just wanted much more.