BWW Reviews: LOST WEST END - A Unique Collection of Recordings from London's Forgotten Musicals

There are many London productions that come and go in the blink of an eye. What is to say why one show will succeed and another will not? Lost West End, produced by Stage Door Records, celebrates those that maybe didn't last on stage very long but the hidden gems within their scores live on. There are over twenty paid tribute to on this album spanning three decades, from Liza of Lambeth in 1976 to Too Close To The Sun in 2009. West End vocalists such as Graham Bickley. Meredith Braun and Alexander Hanson assist in recreating those forgotten moments.

There are a great variety of musical numbers featured on the album, opening with the epic 'Call Me Robin Hood' from Robin Prince of Sherwood which lasted a mere three months at the Piccadilly Theatre in the early 90s. It is revisited brilliantly by Peter Howarth who played the Sheriff of Nottingham in this production. 'Beautiful Colours' from Liza of Lambeth - sung by Angela Richards - is the oldest musical on the CD and brings plenty of old school musical theatre glitz and glamour to the album.

The brilliant instrumental showcased on several tracks jumped out at me more than anything such as the electric guitar in 'Like A Child' from Bernadette - The People's Musical, the cello work in 'Eternally' from Which Witch and the percussion in 'One Night' from The Far Pavilions (a vastly underrated production in my opinion).

Powerhouse vocals are also greatly enjoyed from Simone Dee in 'I Never Told Him I Love Him' from Prisoner Cell Block H and from Julie-Alanah Brighten in 'Say Goodbye' from La Cava.

An enjoyable walk down memory lane.

Lost West End is released on 24th July and is available from www.stagedoorrecords.com.

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