ALMOST FAMOUS Original Broadway Cast Recording Thread- Page 2

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 4/21/23 at 1:20pm

It’s a gorgeous album for a now forgotten show for most people. Bummer.

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 4/21/23 at 1:44pm

What do I love about this album? To begin with… some of it.

Pop-rock music was not too sophisticated back in the early 1970s, and I think this music best reflects that. At its best, Tom Kitt knows how to find the beauty in simplicity.

Some of the iconic movie quotes felt forced in there as musical moments: “I am a golden god!” “Rock stars have kidnapped my son!”

Especially in the first act, Kitt’s score seems to plod along most of the time, but it happens to be bookended by strong numbers. “1973” is one of the best opening numbers of the season, and the brilliant new arrangement of “Tiny Dancer” reminds me of what he did with “21 Guns.” 

Does anyone know the context of “Lost in New York City” and “The Real World”? I loved both of those songs. 

“Everybody’s Coming Together” is a second-rate “You Can’t Always Get What You Want.” Kitt’s own Bring It On has the better “It’s All Happening”, by far.

I loved all the classic rock interpolations throughout. “Fever Dog” from the movie is a hilarious pastiche - think “When the Levee Breaks” meets “For Those About to Rock.”

Casey Likes sounds incredible and I can’t wait to hear how he is as Marty McFly! Solea Pfeiffer just has a gorgeous, ethereal voice as Penny Lane. 

In short, I’m not surprised this got bad reviews and it didn’t last long in New York. Meh at best. 

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 4/21/23 at 1:59pm

I don’t think the score is meh at all but I’ve enjoyed everything Kitt has done. I think it was a given that there would be a ‘rock stars have kidnapped my son’ song. Again, I didn’t get to see the show, so it’s difficult to understand why the show wasn’t able to find an audience based on just this album. I’m enjoying it quite a bit. I agree Casey sounds phenomenal and I hope to be able to get to NY to see Back to the Future.

[flord10]

Posted: 4/21/23 at 2:10pm

Honestly still confused that they wouldn’t have pushed to get this album out sooner. No chance for the album to generate interest in the show if you release it three-four months after the show closes. 

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 4/21/23 at 4:35pm

Does anyone know the context of “Lost in New York City” and “The Real World”? I loved both of those songs. 

Sorry, did you not see this show? 

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 4/21/23 at 4:37pm

Sutton Ross said: "Does anyone know the context of “Lost in New York City” and “The Real World”? I loved both of those songs.

Sorry, did you not see this show?"

Didn’t get the chance. Can’t catch everything…

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 4/21/23 at 5:38pm

flord10 said: "Honestly still confused that they wouldn’t have pushed to get this album out sooner. No chance for the album to generate interest in the show if you release it three-four months after the show closes."

Because Tony nominations are approaching and it being released this close may remind people to consider it for awards.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 4/21/23 at 6:37pm

jacobsnchz14 said: "Because Tony nominations are approaching and it being released this close may remind people to consider it for awards."

What is the advantage to award nominations/wins for a closed show?

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 4/21/23 at 8:35pm

Because Tony nominations are approaching and it being released this close may remind people to consider it for awards."

This may get like a few nominations but it will mostly be forgotten like that awful Caroline or Change. Ugh.

Basically, if you are creating a musical from a movie, it has to elevate the material or else it's DOA. This was simply just the movie on stage. When you can see the movie at home for free and not pay 200 bux to see nothing new, people will stay home, every single time.

[chrishuyen]

Posted: 4/22/23 at 1:38am

EDSOSLO858 said: "Does anyone know the context of “Lost in New York City” and “The Real World”? I loved both of those songs."

Haven't listened to the album yet so I might be misremembering something. General warning for spoilers ahead, though I think this is all in the movie

Lost in New York City is when Casey Likes (forget the character's name) is upset about what happened with the band (I think after Penny Lane and Russell split) and essentially storms out only to find himself in the middle of New York City, and then it goes into him finding Penny and helping her.  The Real World is part of their "we've got to go back to living real lives outside of traveling with the band" realization, and I think after that (or maybe during) is when Casey's character writes his article.

[breakingthecurtain]

Posted: 4/22/23 at 3:00pm

EDSOSLO858 said: Does anyone know the context of “Lost in New York City” and “The Real World”? I loved both of those songs.
 

Lost in New York City/River takes place at the end of their tour in New York City. Russell's wife spots Penny Lane in the bar they're all celebrating in and asks who she is. The entire band shut Penny out and send her on her way. Penny ends up overdosing in a hotel room. The song takes place while William (Casey's character) is looking for her (Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters scene from the film, which is heavily sampled in this song.) By the time William finds Penny, she is completely out of it. He sings her favourite song; Joni Mitchell's River to her. 

The Real World takes place in Central Park (if I'm not mistaken) on a park bench after Penny's brush with near death. Penny's storyline pretty much follows being caught between this sort of 'fictional life' she has built for herself and 'the real world' - where people like William live in. It's basically Penny's transition into the 'real world' and out of the world of band aids. She returns home for a while and then leaves for Morocco after this scene.

Updated On: 4/22/23 at 03:00 PM

[BETTY22]

Posted: 4/23/23 at 8:47am

This will help the project live on. 

Who pays the $300,000 costs of a cast album?