Search - Fela :: Original Broadway Cast Recording: FELA!

Fela and the Faithful

Dumas | Shaker, Ohio USA | 06/13/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Full disclosure: I saw Fela live about 18-19 years ago. Have listened to his music much longer. The cast recording is faithful and true. But if you buy it, you owe it to yourself to go to the source on your next payday. Buy Fela's records. Also, support Antibalas, the Budos Band, and Rubblebucket. These bands keep Fela and the afrobeat sound alive and accessible. Buy their music and go to their concerts. They gig constantly and the shows are affordable. More importantly, you will dance your ass off."

Exciting and Moving!!!

Melissa Hall | Baltimore, MD | 06/14/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This show is a moving portrayal of a vibrant man who lived in troubled times. Filled with music and movement, the show transports you to a hectic time and place to describe events and sounds that transformed a nation.



The soundtrack captures practically all of the most spectacular moments of the production. I highly recommend having it to reflect on the meaning of music and the sounds by the amazing band. Even if you aren't able to get to the show and are just a fan of the music, the soundtrack provides anmazing narrative that lends such perspective to the songs and gives a little insight to the atmosphere of that time."

Good album of Fela covers, good Daily Deal

T. Fisher | 07/04/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I got this album as the MP3 Deal of the Day on Juy 3, 2010 at the special price of $2.99. For this price, this is a good deal on what amounts to basically a very good album of covers of Fela Kuti songs with actor's narration placing the music into the context of Fela's life. At the regular full price, I think I'd recommend most people go to original recordings by Fela instead.



I haven't seen the play from which this music comes. But I do like Fela Kuti and think he is arguably the most internationally important African musician of the 20th century. He is a cultural and musical figure that too few people in the U.S. are aware of. To the extent this play and record help change that, it's all to the good.



The album contains interludes with the actor who plays Fela Kuti narrating recollections as Fela, incidents from his life and some of the ideas that formed him as an artist. This is actually nice value added that could make it worthwhile for a general listener to get this record in addition to original Fela Kuti recordings.



This is a Broadway version of Fela Kuti. The music is well performed, but it lacks just a bit of the fire and groove of the original music (although I haven't heard all the original songs included here). It is also much cleaner. The recording is clean, the actor's enunciation is clean and distinct, and the music sounds highly rehearsed, with less room for spontaneity than in Fela's own music. These are just some of the little telltale signs that this is not quite Fela Kuti. And of course, the language is all English, which Fela himself used when it suited him but no more.



Still, it is a worthwhile album and I liked it quite a bit. The other reviews suggest that having seen the show can also give a stronger emotional attachment to this recording. For people like me who have not seen the show, I think you can come away with a positive experience, as long as you don't expect this this processed and sanitized version to be a substitute for the real Fela Kuti."