Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida - Original Cast (CD 2000)

I recently decided to get this soundtrack as another addition to my broadway library. Always liking stage musicals, this soundtrack gives another type of taste to opera. More like being in an Elton John concert, this CD didn't have all the meaning that I really was hoping for in a musical CD of this caliber. After winning a nice handful of Tony's and recognition, I was quite surprised that the music was mostly of the same format and same level. Most songs from musicals that I hear from have a nice building in the melody. An introduction climbing to the climax. The thing I dislike about the songs in this soundtrack is the all of a sudden blast to the climax. The CD can probably be described as a bunch of "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" songs all piled into one disk, except that the music was not of the emotional type but the jazz-rock mix. Maybe "Candle in the Wind", though I love the song, better describe the songs in this recording.

There are some good sides to this CD and the different taste with the jazz-rock mix music gives another feel to musicals. Many of the songs are not the great dramatic type songs but more of transitional scenes of the musical that are short and really insignificant to creating the whole effect of the story. The story behind the music is also another good thing about this soundtrack. Though the tracks on this disk don't give us tell us all of the story, the tale is such a heart-warming mixture of love and passion in an Egyptian setting. The actors and voice talents bring this story to life, though some of the singers are quite better than others. Adam Pascal (sang in the original RENT cast), Heather Headley (won a Tony for best actress in a musical), and Sherie Rene Scott bring the love story alife with wonderful ensemble work, ballads, and story telling. Their singing balances out some of the cheesey songs and really bandage up others.

Songwise, the first two songs link each other really well. I probably listen to these two songs the most because of their effect and transition. All the others are put in order of story. They don't link from song to song very well, and I believe there are too many slow ballad songs. There is no rhyme or reason for their being there. Also two songs sung by John Hickok are really annoying and badly written. The melody is bad and the singing value is not there. Some songs are fun to listen to, and they show that Elton John can write a little bit of good large group songs as he can ballads.

I know that this "epinion" is contradicting itself over and over again, but I tried to point out the good and bad of this CD. This CD is still a good get for those who love a good story, some good singing, and good romancing music. Also for those Elton John fans, this is a good disk for those who would like to enter the world of musicals.