Search - Ray Leslee, John Jiler :: Avenue X (1994 Original New York Cast)

Avenue X (1994 Original New York Cast)
Ray Leslee, John Jiler
Avenue X (1994 Original New York Cast)
Genres: Classical, Broadway & Vocalists
 
  •  Track Listings (18) - Disc #1

Warning: if you don't care for a cappella singing, don't even get near Avenue X. Set in 1963, the show tells a story of black-Italian antagonism in a Brooklyn neighborhood without the help of any instruments other than the...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Ray Leslee, John Jiler
Title: Avenue X (1994 Original New York Cast)
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: RCA
Original Release Date: 9/15/1998
Release Date: 9/15/1998
Album Type: Cast Recording
Genres: Classical, Broadway & Vocalists
Style: Musicals
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 090266320820

Synopsis

Amazon.com
Warning: if you don't care for a cappella singing, don't even get near Avenue X. Set in 1963, the show tells a story of black-Italian antagonism in a Brooklyn neighborhood without the help of any instruments other than the human voice. John Jiler's lyrics usually manage to avoid heavy-handed didacticism, but they often are undermined by the homogeneity of the music. Using doo-wop made sense, since the best vocal groups of the time came from the two communities featured in the show, but it can also be limiting: Ray Leslee's score often feels like a very long version of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight." Still, some songs do have a touching pathos--"Woman of the World" particularly stands out, thanks to Colette Hawley's understated emotion. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

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CD Reviews

Cool & Hip!
Stevie Wonder Ubazzini | New York City | 09/10/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)

"There's simnply nothing else like this! COMPLETELY A CAPPELLA! - and fantastic performances from some of the finest singers in New York City today! HAAARRRMONEEEY! Even the package is beautiful, especially the insert booklet that documents this killer Off-Broadway show. The original songs range from Doo-Wop to Gospel to Jazz to haunting Italian melodies to deeply soulful and rocking grooves. AVENUE X is for all who love singing."
Fabulous acapella. Performed to perfection.
stusaber | Glen Cove, NY | 12/21/1998
(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was very pleasantly surprised with this CD. It's true that acapella aficionados will love it, however, if you enjoy the music of the 50's and early 60's you will love it too. The performances are outstanding and the material extremely authentic sounding. My only desire is to see the show somewhere. Try it, you'll like it."