About Stefan Halley
Location: Malmo, Sweden
Occupation: Editor-in-Chief
Bio: Stefan has been writing reviews for seven years and started Pop Syndicate out of need to voice his mis-guided opinion.
Posts: 719
More from this author
West Side Story: 50th Anniversary Recording
Music: Soundtrack: 0 comments: 10/09/2007
I have a confession to make. I love movie musicals. Not all musicals mind you. Most of the Rogers & Hammerstein catalogue bores me to tears (with the noted exception of Sound of Music, best musical ever). The musical genre has made a strong comeback over the past few years for better (Chicago) or worse (The Producers). Now, in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of original Broadway recording, we’ve got a new version of one of the greatest musicals of all time, West Side Story. This is the first major recording of the soundtrack since the 1984 Broadway cast release.
Leonard Bernstein’s timeless score still sounds amazing and this release captures all the joy and splendor of the musical. Hayley Westenra voices Maria while Vittorio Grigolo provides the voice of Tony. Both do a very effective job, bringing a fresh take on the classic songs. It’s difficult not to get goose bumps listening to their rendition.
The booklet comes with an essay by Leonard Bernstein’s daughter, Jamie, and lyrics reprinted so you can sing along. The whole production is exciting and fun. If you don’t own a copy of the West Side Story soundtrack, this is a great version to own. From the sexy “Mambo” to the flighty and fun “I Feel Pretty”, every song sores and will ignite the inner musical lover in you. Don’t lie, I know it’s in there even in your blackened heart.
