 | |
List Price: $19.98 | | Label: Decca Broadway
Salesrank: 549
Released: February 7, 2006 |
| Our Price: $12.47 |
| Used Price: $8.28 |
|
| Media: Audio CD |
|
Editorial Review:
Billy Elliot is the heartwarming story of a young boy from a working-class family who discovers a passion that will change his life forever. Eleven-year-old miner's son Billy Elliot is on his way to boxing lessons when he stumbles upon a ballet class. Billy secretly joins the class, knowing that his blue-collar family would never understand. Under the guidance of his teacher Mrs. Wilkinson, Billy's raw talent takes flight. But when his father discovers his son's ambition, Billy must fight for his dreams and his destiny.
Description of Billy Elliot:
Based on the 2000 film about a young British boy who tries to escape a future as coalminer by training in ballet, Billy Elliot--The Musical feels like an exemplary screen-to-stage adaptation, making the best use of composer Elton John's melodic resourcefulness. Fans of John's regular output need to be warned that this album is show tunes all the way and that they'd be hard-pressed to recognize the songs as usual fare by the author of "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" and "Your Song." Still, they really should give the CD a chance. Fans of musical theater, on the other hand, will need no prodding. They are likely to be enchanted by this recording, which shows that John has thoroughly absorbed the genre's classic strain. The show is very catchy, with well-structured, dramatic songs and some genuine tearjerkers ("The Letter"). Sir Elton even proves he's listened to great "jazz hands" classics (some by Kander and Ebb, perhaps) on "Shine," which even requests some "ol' razzle dazzle." Teaming up not with usual lyricist Bernie Taupin but with the film's screenwriter, Lee Hall (and its director, Stephen Daldry), John has written a lovely stage score, as evidenced on this recording of the London cast. Note that John himself performs three songs from the show on a bonus CD. --Elisabeth Vincentelli
Billy Elliot Reviews:
This is not the Broadway Cast Recording 
2008-11-30 - I typed "Billy Elliot Broadway Cast Recording" into Amazon's search field, and this album was the one that came up. But this is not the Broadway, but the London Original Cast. The cast list and the reviews going back to 2006 confirm it. Unless the product has been changed, and this IS the Broadway Cast Recording (and it's unusual for one to come out so quickly after a show opens), and something as odd as Amazon just using the London recording's descriptions and reviews is going on. I love this show, but would like it if buyers knew what they were getting. (Amazon should make it clear in the description.)
Billy Elliot London Cast Soundtrack 
2008-11-11 - It's bloody brilliant. I'm about to see the NY staging and I wanted to get a taste for the music. Elton John's songs tell the narrative in a powerful and believable way and do a great job of setting the stage for what I hope are incredible dance sequences. Haydn Gwynne is a standout as Mrs. Wilkinson and Ann Emery almost steals the show in one number, "Grandma's Song." Other favorites include "Electricity," performed by the titular character and the deeply moving, "He Could be a Star." Definitely recommend the soundtrack.
Billy Elliot CD
2008-06-16 - I saw the play in London while I was on vacation two years ago and it was fantastic. The film is great but the music from the play is complely different. If you enjoyed the soundtrack from the film you must hear the cast soundtrack.
Blown Away
2008-04-01 - At age 12 I saw the original production of "Oklahoma". Then, yeah God,I saw the orginal "South Pacific, "kiss Me Kate", My Fair Lady", "Mame","Gypsy" AND let me tell you loud and clearly "Billy Elliot, The Musical" is right up there!!! Don't miss it. I saw it in London and can't wait to bring my grandchildren to the N.Y. production.
Dull 
2007-07-25 - It is charitable to call this show mediocre. The music isn't the usual Sir Elton theatrical music dreck. I guess that's a plus. The lyrics are awful. The same words are repeated over and over and over, so the pointed is quickly made, the song goes nowhere. Most of the lyrics are generic. Most of the songs give the impression of being the same length. I hope the show never makes it to Broadway. Stick with the movie!
