'The Bridges of Madison County' original cast recording -- EXCLUSIVE FIRST LISTEN

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 4/11/14 at 12:47pm

Thanks to EW for another great early preview!
Here you go

[themysteriousgrowl]

Posted: 4/11/14 at 12:52pm

Thanks, bwayphreak234!

Wow, I abandoned my interest in this show over a month ago, but I had no idea this is what the score sounded like. Now I’ll definitely be going.

[theaterfan862]

Posted: 4/11/14 at 12:58pm

Thank you so much bwayphreak234!!! I don't think I could have made it till the cd comes out! I have to see this show again!

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 4/11/14 at 1:00pm

Growl -- you should definitely see it -- the show is flawed but there is still a lot of magic in it -- especially in that score and those performances.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 4/11/14 at 1:03pm

This is a really interesting show because I think it has SO many flaws (mainly in the book and especially almost everything in the last 20 minutes, except for the GORGEOUS "Always Better") but the score alone is incredible. I can't wait to buy this.

[themysteriousgrowl]

Posted: 4/11/14 at 1:09pm

I will, MB. Several factors had informed my initial decision – the only JRB work I really like is PARADE, O’Hara and Pasquale had zero chemistry in FAR FROM HEAVEN, and the source material does nothing to excite me. Finally hearing from several friends (as well as reviews) that it feels a slog was the icing on the cake.

But just now, after 90 seconds of skipping around at random through these songs... I’m sold. That's a sound I can connect with.

Updated On: 4/11/14 at 01:09 PM

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 4/11/14 at 1:14pm

I was already going to buy the cast recording, but this made me even more excited about it.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 4/11/14 at 1:15pm

Some of the flaws, I think, are in the over-reaching ambition behind the story-telling concept. Jason Robert Brown and Marsha Norman threw a huge, broad reaching net in their approach to musicalize the characters and their world, and though they have slowly honed down from Williamstown, the show just needs further simplification (clarification).

It would not be difficult to fix a lot of the problems, but it may take the perspective of time for the creative team to be willing to let go and make all the changes the show really needs. I suspect that in subsequent productions, as they revisit their initial ideas, they will continue to pull it in.

But what is great about BRIDGES is truly exceptional.

[Steve721]

Posted: 4/11/14 at 1:17pm

I saw this last Sunday. While the book is flawed and the direction is somewhat clunky--having the townspeople constantly walking through the set got old--the score, O'Hara and Pasquale are all magnificent. O'Hara has never been better; although her Italian accent does falter on occasion, she is completely convincing as the character and just sings her heart out. The chemistry between the leads is also quite amazing. I will try to see this again if it lasts long enough. It's a real pity the box office is so bad.

[GilmoreGirlO2]

Posted: 4/11/14 at 1:27pm

O’Hara and Pasquale had zero chemistry in FAR FROM HEAVEN

I can assure you, growl, that is not a problem in “Bridges.” When I saw it, it felt like you could cut that sexual chemistry with a knife.

Can’t for the album. This show surprised me in how much I love it and how much it had to offer – I am hoping some Tony coverage might help it find more of its audience.

[DeNada]

Posted: 4/11/14 at 1:36pm

Aren't the characters they played in Far From Heaven SUPPOSED to have no chemistry? I've neither seen nor heard the show, but didn't Pasquale play the Dennis Quaid character?

[themysteriousgrowl]

Posted: 4/11/14 at 1:47pm

Yes, DeNada, for those characters, there are perils and questions of their romantic chemistry, but I'm talking about the chemistry between the actors. That's difficult to qualify, but I didn't buy that they'd had any kind of life together, smooth or rocky. Perhaps it was the structure of the show, but, as performers, they felt like islands unto themselves.

[DeNada]

Posted: 4/11/14 at 1:49pm

Fair enough - that's a sensible way of looking at it. Unfortunate, but sensible.

On topic - this recording is as good as I hoped it would be. I got shivers listening to To Build A Home as I did in the theatre (although unfortunately I still think the "aaaaaaaahs" from the townsfolk up the cheese factor too far).

I think this score will stand alone beautifully. Even songs that didn't have that much impact on me in the theatre, like Temporarily Lost, work incredibly on the album. I'm only listening through Macbook speakers at the moment - what's it going to sound like with a proper sound setup? As much as I enjoyed GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE, there really is no contest for Best Score at the Tony's this year IMO.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 4/11/14 at 1:54pm

"This is a really interesting show because I think it has SO many flaws (mainly in the book and especially almost everything in the last 20 minutes, except for the GORGEOUS "Always Better") but the score alone is incredible. I can't wait to buy this."

I felt the same way, Jordan. The book was kind of messy with lots of extraneous material (the two neighbors, especially), and last 20 minutes with the rushed wedding, funeral, and graduation. However, this score SOARS. It is so lush, beautiful, chilling, and haunting. Truly such a beautiful show.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 4/11/14 at 2:19pm

Thank you for this BwayPhreak. I went a third time recently, and got a free album code when it comes out, and I couldn't be more excited. This show is so wonderful, and I'm so happy it's still open so more and more people can experience this gem of a show. The album sounds fantastic.

In Far From Heaven, they were in a loveless, miserable marriage. I thought they both played the parts flawlessly, and had great on-stage chemistry. The cast recording to that is also fantastic, and it will be nice to have two cast recordings featuring both of their stunning voices.

[haterobics]

Posted: 4/11/14 at 2:28pm

These two will eventually crack the code. Gay husband and frustrated wife didn't make it to Broadway. Adulterous soulmates isn't moving enough tickets... but I have faith in them, and there are a lot of permutations to work through yet!

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 4/11/14 at 2:41pm

HELL YES

[BwayGeek2]

Posted: 4/11/14 at 2:46pm

Sounds gorgeous, listening is making me want to go back again!



Updated On: 4/11/14 at 02:46 PM

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 4/11/14 at 2:57pm

Wow, "It All Fades Away" sounds so much different from the first time they recorded it. It's even MORE beautiful and I did NOT think that was possible. That man...

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 4/11/14 at 2:57pm

After seeing BULLETS last night, I'd say BRIDGES was my favorite musical of the season (though I've yet to see GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE). I thought it had a beautiful score, magnificent performances and told an adult story to an adult audience. I even found the last 20 minutes intriguing, if not wholly successful.

[themysteriousgrowl]

Posted: 4/11/14 at 3:00pm

Oh, Robbie, please see G's GUIDE. It's all I've been listening to since the recording was released.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 4/11/14 at 3:05pm

Robbie, how was the attendance last night?

Updated On: 4/11/14 at 03:05 PM

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 4/11/14 at 3:12pm

It was packed. I was in the 'girls trying too hard with their flapper looks' section. I tried to pull off a Gatsby garden party look, but fear I ended up looking a little 'adult special needs'.

Growl, my niece is graduating from elementary school and I was hoping to bring her to Gentleman's Guide as a present, which is why I've waited this long. But I may break down before then and just see it twice.

[E.Davis]

Posted: 4/11/14 at 3:32pm

On a lighter note of the recording, I am glad "Get Closer" stayed in the show. Cass Morgan is just lovely.

[Steve721]

Posted: 4/11/14 at 3:41pm

"On a lighter note of the recording, I am glad "Get Closer" stayed in the show. Cass Morgan is just lovely."

I thought it was very clever to have her sing (in a Patsy Cline sort of way) the song that played on the radio while the lovers were dancing. I really liked that scene.

Updated On: 4/11/14 at 03:41 PM