Search - Various Artists :: Chicago

Tricia T. from BELGRADE, ME
Reviewed on 7/20/2012...

Absolutely wonderful! There is a CD from the play that is so so and this one from the movie is so great that you can see the play as it is sung on this version. Highly recomment

A.R. L. from JEFFERSON, TX
Reviewed on 6/1/2010...

Great Soundtrack. If you liked the movie you will like the CD.

Hallelujah, they did it RIGHT!

R. Rigazzi | San Francisco | 01/15/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The arrangements are the best of this material on recording, in my humble opinion. As most movie musicals take a Broadway score and butcher it with bland pop sensibility and overblown orchestral arrangements, those behind this recording chose to keep it on the minimalistic side, as it should be. At the risk of sounding a bit cliche, the arrangements succeed in transporting the listener from his car or living room to a smokey cabaret.

Some of the strongest voices come from the most surprising cast members, noteably Renee Zellweger and John C. Reilly. For having never really sung before, her voice is surprisingly strong, expressive, and unique. Those familiar with Queen Latifah's performance in "Living Out Loud" were most certainly expecting "When You're Good to Mama" to be as absolutely fabulous as it indeed was (the woman should really do a jazz album and show off those pipes).Catherine Zeta-Jones and Richard Gere were really perfectly cast for the film and played the roles to the "t". Zeta-Jones' sexy, husky voice works well and Gere's adequate pipes, again, work well to drive home Flynn's smarmy charm.The bonus material, however, is fairly weak. Though I am an Anastacia fan, I am really not fond of the track "Love is a Crime" as it's simply a bland pop song trying to be an R&B track trying to have a showtune sensibility. The Queen Latifah, Li'l Kim, Macy Gray version of "Cell Block Tango" is a rather tepid attempt, as well. The only number from the film that I was dissapointed with was "Cell Block Tango". It's always been a favorite of mine and, in the film, it was staged and choreographed perfectly - beyond my wildest dreams, really. Unfortunately, it seems Rob Marshall felt the need to extract all humor from what should be a very darkly comic number by forcing the women to take themselves entirely too seriously. If you can get your hands on any of the cast recordings, you'll see what I mean.In the end, however, this recording is a sleek, intelligent, well-performed and well-executed soundtrack."

Not Quite As Good As Original 1975 Cast

Craig Cochrane | Los Angeles, CA USA | 01/18/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I own all four recordings of Chicago -- original, film version, B-way revival, and London. And I like them most to least in that order. The movie soundtrack is fantastic, but it falls just a little short of the original 1975 Broadway recording for several reasons. Gwen Verdon created a more quirky and genuinely funny Roxie, and that comes across in her interpretation of the songs (esp. the spoken part of "Roxie"). Although Renee gave Roxie more depth and substance, which was essential for the film, Gwen is a better interpreter of the songs.Chita Rivera created a splashier and more flamboyant Velma, whereas Catherine Z-J's Velma is more menacing and intimidating. Catherine is so impressive musically that I think it's a toss up. However, Chita (and Gwen, who died last year) were already 20 year veterans of Broadway by 1975, and all of that experience and skill comes across in the "seen it all, done it all" characters they play. Jerry Orbach (now on law & Order) is a far better musical performer than Richard Gere, and sings the songs with less kitsch and cheekiness. I found this really annoying in Gere's musical performance -- I think he was trying to cover up an average singing ability by adding in a bunch of odd ticks and mannerisms (...the flat Irish accent, the Al Jolson-ish delivery). The stage versions also have a fun twist: Mary Sunshine is played by a man in drag, and "she" squeaks out a ridiculously optimistic and high-pitched aria about goodness and kindness -- as all the conniving backstabbers that surround her roll their eyes. There's also "When Velma Takes The Stand" (dropped from the film), a great song about Velma's ideas for her courtroom dramatics, which Roxie eventually steals. I also prefer the Merry Murderesses of the original because they tell their stories in "Cell Block Tango" more naturally with humor and individual character.One plus for the movie version: the musical arrangements deliver more punch and complexity.I recommend buying both the original and the movie soundtracks."