Search - Original London Cast Recording, Bernard Taylor, Eric Vickers :: Nosferatu The Vampire (1995 Concept Cast)

Almost There/Potential Smash Hit!

wellio@wa.freei.net | Seattle | 10/19/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Okay- that is not the picture of the 'Nosferatu' cd cover up there!Anyways- 'Nosferatu' has the potential to be as big a hit as 'The Phantom of the Opera.' I have heard this thrilling musical is in re-writes and is a West End prospect in the near future.This is a very haunting piece, and you get that right from the beginning with, "Somewhere At The Edges Of Creation" and "Wild Talk of Vampires." They are among the gems on this recording. Claire Moore's "If I Do It" is a beautiful song and she sings in wondefully. Other songs I love (the three previous mentioned excluded- they are my favorites) are: "Seduction," "Come to Me," "The Point of Singularity," and Unspoken Thoughts."Right now, the biggest problem is repetition. It's not as bad here perhaps as in other shows, but the score to the opening 'Wild Talk of Vampires' and the ACT II opening 'A Lot of Fear' are indentical. Therefore, I don't listen to 'A Lot of Fear' very much. There are a few other quirks in this score that have to be worked out, but they are VERY minor. I'm certain the two act opening song problem has been corrected.This is a wonderful and highly recommended recording.They need to get this show staged on West End. It will be a box office smash!"

WHAT THE PROFESSIONAL CRITICS SAY

Romayne Littler | Surrey, England | 06/09/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is what the professional critics have had to say aboutthis work "The vigorous, wide-ranging music of Nosferaturesembles a lusty love child of a blood wedding between Carmina Burana and Les Miserables, orchestrated and performed with an onward driving force which almost recalls Bernstein in its progressive, narrative energy. Taylor may be about to achieve for vampires something of what Spielberg did for dinosaurs." - Margaret Sillwood, Kent and Sussex Courier."Nosferatu is dark and sombre yet with an inherent beauty - eerie, ethereal and passionate. The real fascination proves to be the depth and grandeur of the abundance of haunting melodies...Bernard J. Taylor has once again displayed his exceptional talent. Surely it cannot be long before that talent is fully rewarded and recognised." - Mike Gibb, Masquerade Magazine, Issue 19, 1995."One of Taylor's trademarks is fine ballads, and once again he does not disappoint with what I consider are three outstanding examples. But there are lots of other good things to be savoured throughout this excellent recording." - Terry Wardrope, Words and Music magazine, England."It sounds like no show you have ever heard before. It is certainly the most original show music I have heard. It is very different in style to Taylor's previous work and any other show on the West End or Broadway, and is likely to have far wider appeal than most musicals." - "Christine Daae", Beneath The Mask (the journal of the Phantom of the Opera Appreciation Society)"A sweeping melodic score which is missing from most new shows." - Baz Bamigboye, Daily Mail, UK"This is very much a rock score with strong beat numbers alternating with romantic ballads." - Michael Darvell, What's On magazine, London."The musical has a number of good songs. If you like full-blooded vampires with a definite melodramatic edge then this disc is a must-have." - Tina Rath, Journal of the Vampyre Society, UK"

A HAUNTING HIT - AND TOTALLY ORIGINAL

Roger Simmons | Michigan, USA | 06/07/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Nosferatu is probably one of the most original musicals written in the last 50 years and I think that anyone who fails to appreciate its melodic invention and its originality is totally lacking in critical perspective. A lot of people seem to have jumped on a "Bernard Taylor can't write lyrics" bandwagon without really stydying his lyrics in any depth. Sure there are occasional obvious rhymes, but anyone who fails to appreciate the lyrics of songs like 'Somewhere At The edges of Creation" and "Seduction" has no idea of what good lyric writing is. Like the music, the lyrics often have a deeply haunting and poetic quality. I think Mr Taylor's approach to lyric writing is very narrative driven, and this stands out against other musical lyricists whose words often seem to have no bearing on the characters or the story they are trying to tell. I think it is because his approach is very different to most lyricists that he is drawing this kind of ill-considered criticism. Like a lot of true originals, he is not getting the recognition he deserves because he is not what some people are used to. He is also one of the few composers whose work is not only original but very accessible - a very difficult combination to achieve. So don't listen to the anti-Bernard J. Taylor clique. Listen to this CD and judge for yourself. You will hear terrific performances from the likes of Peter Karrie, Claire Moore and others. The only thing that would make this show sound even better is a real orchestra, but the use of synthesisers on this CD has been skilfully managed and at times adds to the strange atmosphere of the piece. This really is a must for any true lover of dramatic music."