Following in the footsteps of Duncan Sheik and Spring Awakening, L.A.'s Stew (who's released albums both solo and with his band, The Negro Problem) made the transition from the pop-rock scene to Broadway in 2008. The show for which he wrote the book and score, Passing Strange, was not as commercially successful as Spring Awakening, but from a musical point of view, it's an even better, very funny, wildly inventive gem about shaping your identity. Backed by a rocking quartet that includes co-composer Heidi Rodewald on bass, Stew himself acts/sings the narrator, leading us through the coming of age of his hero, Youth (Daniel Breaker), from Southern California to Amsterdam to Berlin and back. Recorded live, this album captures the score's energy and depth. The songs can be hard-hitting ("Merci Beaucoup, M. Godard," "Berlin: A Black Hole with Taxis"), but Stew writes particularly lovely ballads, like the heartbreaking "Arlington Hill," "Keys," "Come Down Now" and "Work the Wound," which gains power as it builds up to an angry climax. This is a great score that deserves to be heard. -- Elisabeth Vincentelli
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
Interesting music:
This music grows on you. Very atypical Broadway music, but still likable. Definitely has adult themes. Interesting production of some of the songs. I feel I know Stew after listening to this cast recording!
A good recording of a great show - a must-have if you've seen it:
The recording quality is great. If you've seen the show, you'll want this album.
Strangely Passing:
"Passing Strange" defies all musical theater dictums and is actually a recorded performance of what was really more of a concert than a traditional Broadway musical. So what's wrong with that? There have been a lot of complaints on both sides of the fence about "Passing Strange", i.e., that it's "rock" and doesn't belong on a Broadway stage, or that Broadway music is dead and this is so much better. Well, both sides miss the point. More challenging yet just as necessary as the more accessible "In the... more info
Grows On You:
When I saw "Passing Strange" last May, I left feeling that I had just witnessed something new (& even amazing), but couldn't really summarize my impression and wasn't sure if the piece was meant for Broadway. The cast members, led by Stew and Daniel Breaker, were all excellent. The score is fresh, but only a couple of songs, "Keys" and "Amsterdam", seemed memorable at the time. Upon repeated listenings of the cd, however, many others jumped out as well. Feels more and more like a a great rock... more info
Tracks:
Prologue (We Might Play All Night)
Baptist Fashion Show
Church Blues Revelation / Freight Train
Arlington Hill
Sole Brother
Must Have Been High
Mom Song
Merci Beaucoup, M. Godard
Amsterdam
Keys (Marianna)
Keys (It's Alright)
We Just Had Sex
Stoned
Berlin: A Black Hole With Taxis
May Day
What's Inside Is Just A Lie / And Now I'm Ready To Explode
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