Wicked (Audio CD)

 

Schwartz, Stephen (Composer).   Wicked (Audio CD). 

ASIN:  B0000TB01Y. Label:  Decca Broadway.

Format:  Cast Recording.  Release Date: 2003.

Listener Annotation:

The story of the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda in the hit Broadway musical, Wicked is captured in this electric and compelling cast recording.   

 

Songs include: 

1. No One Mourns the Wicked
2. Dear Old Shiz
3. Wizard and I, The
4. What Is This Feeling?
5. Something Bad
6. Dancing Through Life
7. Popular
8. I'm Not That Girl
9. One Short Day
10. A Sentimental Man
11. Defying Gravity
12. Thank Goodness
13. Wonderful
14. I'm Not That Girl (Reprise)
15. As Long as You're Mine
16. No Good Deed
17. March of the Witch Hunters
18. For Good
19. Finale

Critical Evaluation

As the show opens with the death of the Witch of the East, the recording begins dramatically with the song “No One Mourns the Wicked”.  Other songs that have become especially well known are:  the fun “Popular” (Kristin Chenoweth); the wide-eyed “The Wizard and I” (Idina Menzel); the rousing “Defying Gravity” (Kristin Chenoweth); and probably the most poignant ballad of the  show, “For Good” (Kristin Chenoweth).  The 2003 Broadway musical, Wicked is loosely based on Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire, which in turned is a parallel novel of the 1939 movie  by  Frank Baum.  Though the musical was met with mixed reviews when it first premiered, the show has remained hugely popular with fans of all ages.  The Broadway production's success spawned productions in Chicago, Los Angeles, London's West End and San Francisco, as well as international productions in Japan, Germany, Australia and elsewhere, and two North American tours that have visited over thirty cities in Canada and the United States.

Genre

Broadway Musical

Discussion points

1. Have you ever gotten to see the shows?
2. Which song best captures the relationship between Elpheba and Glinda? 

Audience/Interest Age

All ages

Challenge Issues/Challenge Response Ideas

None

Why I included this work

Wicked premiered in October in 2003, and although its reviews were rather mixed, Wicked remains wildly popular with fans. Wicked has broken box office records around the world, and has broken records for weekly-gross-takings in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, St. Louis, and London.  Both the West End production and the North American tour have been seen by over two million patrons.

The show was nominated for ten 2004 Tony Awards, winning three, including for Best Actress (Menzel). It also won six Drama Desk Awards and an Olivier Award.

Great Quote from the CD (Spoken) :

GALINDA :  “Elphie – now that we're friends, I've decided to
make you my new project.”
ELPHABA:  “You really don't have to do that.”
GALINDA:  “ I know. That's what makes me so nice!”

Straight Out of Lynwood (Music CD) by "Weird Al" Yankovic

Yankovic, Al (Artist).   Straight out of Lynwood (Audio CD & DVD). 

ASIN:  B000H9HWSM. Label:  Volcano.

Format:  Dual Disc.  Release Date: 2006.

Listener Annotation

“Weird Al” is at it again—taking today’s hits and putting his own twisted spin on them!  Also included is a DVD of seven of Weird Al’s best music videos.

Description

Songs include:  1. “White & Nerdy”  (Parody of “Ridin’” by Chamillionaire)  2. “Pancreas”  3. “Canadian Idiot” (Parody of “American Idiot” by Green Day)  4. “I'll Sue Ya'”  5. “Polkarama!”  6. “Virus Alert”  7. “Confessions Part III” (Parody of “Confessions Part II” by Usher  8. “Weasel Stomping Day”  9. “Close But No Cigar”  10. “Do I Creep You Out” (Parody of “Do I Make You Proud” by Taylor Hicks  11. “Trapped In the Drive-Thru” (Parody of “Trapped in the Closet” by R. Kelly   12. “Don't Download This Song”.

DVD tracks include:  1. “Don't Download This Song” (Directed by Bill Plympton)   2. “I'll Sue Ya'” (Directed by Thomas Lee  3. “Virus Alert” (Directed by David C. Lovelace)   4. “Close But No Cigar” (Directed by John Kricfalusi)  5. “Pancreas” (Directed by Jim Blashfield)  6. “Weasel Stomping Day” (Directed by Robot Chicken).

Critical Evaluation

Nobody can do what Weird Al does, the way he does it!  He has a way of taking a hit pop or rock song, changing the premise and some of the lyrics and Bam!--another Weird Al hit.  This Dual Disc format provides not only the hit songs and music videos, but also Karaoke versions of the entire album including a scrolling lyric sheet for each track.

About the Artist

Alfred Matthew Yankovic was born in 1959 in Lynwood, CA, a suburb of Los Angeles.  When Yankovic was young, he learned to play the accordion after his parent purchase one from a door-to-door salesman.  He went on to do well in high school, graduating as valedictorian.  From there, he went to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, majoring in architecture (later claiming that it is because that major was listed first in the course catalog!).  It was at Cal Poly that Yankovic had a radio show, and earned the nickname “Weird Al”.  His first published work was a parody of “My Sharona” by The Knack, called “My Bologna”.  Al began his successful career, which has spanned twelve albums, numerous compilations, a box set, movies, and videos.    For more information, go to: http://www.weirdal.com/

Genre

Comedy

Song Parody

Music (Pop/Rock)

Discussion points

How do you think artist feel about being parodied by Weird Al?  How would you feel?

What is your favorite Weird Al song and why?

What song do you wish that Weird Al would parody next?

Audience/Interest Age

All ages

Challenge Issues/Challenge Response Ideas

None

Why I included this work

Straight Out of Lynwood incorporates really popular music with clever satire.  Weird Al’s style of humor is smart and hilarious.

Great Quote from the Lyrics:

From “I’ll Sue Ya”:  “…I sued Colorado…’cause you know, I think it looks a little bit too much like Wyoming; I sued Neiman Marcus… ‘cause they put up their Christmas decorations way out of season; I sued Ben Affleck… aw, do I even need a reason?”