|
A New Brain (1998 Original Cast) | 
 enlarge | Creators: William Finn, Kristin Chenoweth, Malcolm Gets, Penny Fuller, Norm Lewis
Label: RCA Victor Broadway
Category: Music
Buy New: $13.98
New (28) Used (19) from $6.70
Rating:  71 reviews
Sales Rank: 57790
Format: Cast Recording
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
MPN: 63298
UPC: 090266329823
EAN: 0090266329823
ASIN: B00000ADLO
Release Date: September 15, 1998
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
| |
| Tracks:
| • | Frogs Have So Much Spring (The Spring Song) | | • | Calamari | | • | 911 Emergency/I Have So Many Songs | | • | Heart and Music | | • | Trouble Is His Brain | | • | Mother's Gonna Make Things Fine | | • | Sailing | | • | Family History | | • | Gordo's Law of Genetics | | • | And They're Off | | • | Just Go | | • | Poor, Unsuccessful and Fat | | • | Sitting Becalmed in the Lee of Cuttyhunk | | • | An Invitation to Sleep in My Arms | | • | Change | | • | Yes | | • | In the Middle of the Room | | • | Throw It Out | | • | A Really Lousy Day in the Universe | | • | Brain Dead | | • | Whenever I Dream | | • | Eating Myself up Alive | | • | The Music Still Plays On | | • | Don't Give In | | • | You Boys Are Gona Get Me in Such Trouble/Sailing (Reprise) | | • | The Homeless Lady's Revenge | | • | Time | | • | Time and Music | | • | I Feel So Much Spring |
|
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
William Finn is an acquired taste. Not only is this lyricist-composer one of the few proponents of the (mostly) sung-through musical, but he favors unlikely subjects. His 1992 musical Falsettos was about love, a bar mitzvah, AIDS, and mortality; A New Brain deals with a brain tumor and art and, yes, mortality and love. Both witty and touching, the show displays Finn's melodic gift and his talent for suggesting sentiment without sentimentality. The supporting cast, including Chip Zien, Kristin Chenoweth, and Penny Fuller, is a collection of New York's finest stage actors, each of whom gets at least one splendid song. In the lead, Malcolm Gets allows the listener direct access into Gordon Schwinn's innermost emotions. An acquired taste, yes, but one that will linger in your memory and heart. --Elisabeth Vincentelli
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 66 more reviews...
 Wonderfully Amazing in every way, August 4, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This show is absolutely wonderful. If you are a fan of intricate, witty, bright, gay (as in happy, but you can also take it literally as the main character is as so), then you will love A NEW BRAIN.
I received this show in the mail today, at about 9:45. I have listened to it four times. Yes, I have little life on Fridays (during the day), but I cannot put it down.
This show is hands down amazing. The cast is PERFECT. The roles are filled with fabulous imagery and the dialoge is marvelously witty.
This show is a MUST HAVE for any musical connoisseur.
BUY IT!!! NOW!!!
Amazing. April 8, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
A New Brain is amazing. If you like only musicals of the Oklahoma! or Phantom of the Opera varities, this show may not be for you. But it literally saved my sanity.
I'm a Broadway nerd who had a year-long health crisis, and I bought this soundtrack because I'd heard it was set in the middle of someone else's crisis. It's brilliant. First, "And They're Off," has to be one of the best Broadway songs I've ever heard--it's this amazing combination of Menken (from Little Shop...) and lyrics that would make Sondheim proud...or even a little jealous. Maybe I'm crazy, but I think I can hear the beat of the MRI machine behind "Sitting Becalmed in the Lee of Cuttyhunk,"...that's so different and cool.
I can hear a little bit of formula in the show--"Heart and Music" reminds me of "Welcome to Falsettoland," "Brain Dead" is reminscent of "The Chess Game," from March. There are other similarities too--you'll hear strains of "Anytime" from Elegies near the end (which, I believe, was originally cut from this show). But this show is far from formulaic--"Gordo's Law of Genetics," "Poor, Unsuccessful and Fat" and "Yes," are laugh-out-loud funny. "Sailing" is a gorgeous ballad that I'd like to hear more men sing in auditions...and then there's "Eating Myself Up Alive," which is, simply put, amazing.
Finn fans will love it--Sondheim purists might, too. I know I do.
Buy this cd. January 18, 2007
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
I loved this show when I saw it - and I was reminded of just how much when I pulled out the cd again recently. This is an incredibly strong score, beautifully performed.
Norm Lewis breaks my heart. Penny Fuller is a goddess. Mary Testa is a gift from heaven.
This show is a joy.
 Haunting melodies, great cast September 9, 2005
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I really love this piece! My only complaint is Kristen Chenowyth is underutilized, but other than that, some really great songs. "Heart and Music," "I Feel So Much Spring Within Me," and "Gordon's Law of Genetics" (really fun) are all great. My favorite, however, is "And They're Off." Amazing!
I wake up with a song from this musical in my head almost every morning. I haven't listened to it since last weekend, but today (5 days later), I awoke with Kristen singing "I love Mr. Bungee" in my head. It makes waking up early a lot easier!
Thank you, William Finn, for another wonderful musical that makes being a theatre fan so worth it!! I hope I'm able to see a production of this piece one day...
You may need a new Brain after listening to this May 26, 2005
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
While listening to this, you'll be a little (okay, a LOT) hesitant at first. BUT! It is great. Once you've heard Will Finn's music, you will be changed. Creative, darkly humerous, just corny enough to not scare you off. Think of music from a basic book musical mixed lyrics from something like Avanue Q. It's a great combination and a HIT!
|
|
|
Copyright 2006 - CD Shopper | |
