As blogged about yesterday, Ghost the Musical has previewed their soundtrack on their Facebook page. It’s only online for a limited time and already had thousands of listens. Go have a listen yourself, link on our facebook page and let us know what you think of it… which just so happens to be what I’m going to do now! I haven’t seen the show, I’ve not even seen the movie so I’m basing my judgements from what I’m hearing.
Track 1 – Overture:
This might actually become one of my favourite Overtures ever. I’m not a huge fan of the Overture, but this one is haunting and mystical with the familiar themes of Unchained Melody interwined with other themes from the show. Builds up gradually, building a sense of anticipation. 5/5
Track 2 – Here Right Now:
This track shows off the vocal talents of Caissie Levy & Richard Fleeshman very quickly. Their voices suit each other in this poppy number. The lyrics may be a bit basic but with a huge jump of contrast from the haunting Overture this track, I imagine, sets the emotional bonds between the audience and the characters. It’s a good track. Not my favourite, but it’s very catchy. 4/5
Track 3 – Unchained Melody:
The song everyone knows. Being performed with a guitar gives it a new lease of life with a bit of Elvis thrown in. Fleeshman’s vocal talents are shown off to great effect in this track. With a beautiful orchestral instrumental completing the track it feels like a completly differerent song to all the versions that have been released in the past. 4/5
Track 4 – More:
Oh! There’s more than two people in this musical as this track makes clear with a chorus of ‘more and more and more and more’. Feels as though this one builds the story a bit more. Like ‘Here Right Now’ it’s a very poppy number with some lyrics that seem a bit basic. There are times when it feels like a spoof musical number with the lyrics being along the lines of ‘I’m in New York and there are lots of people here’ etc. 3/5
Track 5 – Three Little Words:
Back to Levy & Fleeshman! Now we find out that Sam (Fleeshman) doesn’t say ‘I love you’ but ‘ditto’ – the git! Even though he protests that he does it with his eyes, he doesn’t get that sometimesMolly (Levy) might have her eyes closed or they might be on the phone so how does she know so why can’t he say those three little words – cue title of the song! It’s a cute song. Again, building the connection between the two characters and the audience ready for the big event in the next track… 5/5
Track 6 – Sam’s Murder:
A bit of a talky track here. It’s the big turning even that makes this musical into one about a ghost. It isn’t exactly spoiling the plot of the show here to tell you that Sam get’s killed in this track. I assume Fleeshman’s echoey tones make more sense on stage and a bit more outer-body so giving this track benefit of the doubt. Also assume the sequence on stage is more exciting than it sounds on the sountrack (imagine the robbery in Blood Brothers). The music’s good though! 3/5
Track 7 – Ball of Wax:
We’re in the middle of a musical this track shall be known of from hence forth. It’s probably the most musical theatre this show gets to be honest. With brass at the start and an older male who talk-sings just jazz hands itself into a musical. It possibly even involved tap dancing…. so heaven is a Broadway musical? 2/5
Track 8 – I Can’t Breathe:
Imagine the scene in Rent when Angel dies where it’s pulsing beats and lights and a dance beat – now imagine that with a rock-music-esque tone and here you go! 3/5
Track 9 – Are You a Believer?:
The wonderful Sharon D Clarke finally appears as Oda Mae Brown. This gospel laden track is a welcome relief from the darkness of the death and is a great introduction to Clarke’s character. Clarke can do no wrong! 5/5
Track 10 – With You:
Molly’s lost her lover. Sad times. Now we need a song that reminds us that she is sad and this is it. That may sound cynical that this is a bog standard soppy ballad about a dead loved one. It’s not. It’s just stating the obvious theatrical ploy used here. It is a fantastic song. Beautifully performed by Levy. I’m certain that the middle aged Swayze fans in the audience will be sobbing at this song (maybe some others as well). Like I said, it’s a beauty, at times it follows the book of musical song writing by the rules but it works. 5/5
Track 11 – Suspend My Disbeleif / I Had A Life:
Still in mourning Molly encounters Oda. Molly has told Carl (Andrew Langtree) the things that Oda has told Molly from Sam. Molly believes it, Carl is (on the outside) dismissive about it…. maybe he knows more? Sam acts as a guardian angel overseeing what’s happening…. leading to a big reveal…. *won’t spoil it* It’s an effective way to reveal this twist (though it gives it away if you’re listening to the soundtrack before seeing the show/film like myself). I really like how things overlap in the music and the songs throughout the soundtrack but especially in this track. This track is the last in act one and from listening it would appear to be great way to end the first act with big plot developments to look forward to. 5/5
Track 12 – Rain / Hold On:
Back to the poppy tracks we lost half way through act one. I would say Molly appears more optimistic about things now with this shift in tone… Some background info on Oda, some closure of emotions from Molly, some attempted words of wisdom from Sam doth a track make. Bit of a typical act 2 opener if ever there was one. It’s good but not the best (I skipped bits of it after a while). 3/5
Track 13 – Life Turns on a Dime:
Oh no. Molly is led to beleive that Oda is a fake – well her Police records show she is, but maybe this time she isn’t…. what will happen if Carl get’s her to beleive that she is a complete fake? Plot crisis is what will happen. It’s a strange song. Not sure whether it’s the song or whether it’s the fact that Carl sounds more like Barny the dinosaur that get’s me about this one. Once again though it overlaps a lot with Molly singing a song with the same tune as Unchained and Sam butting in with his own song. 3/5 (due to the purple dinosaur taking over) however for the last 30 seconds, 5/5
Track 14 – Focus:
A loud, brash track. The Subway Ghost (Adebayo Bolaji) is trying to teach Sam how to do something. Probably works on stage, not on a soundtrack album though. 1/5
Track 15 – Talkin’ Bout A Miracle:
Back to the funk! Don’t know what miracle they’re talking about. Guessing it’s a good one as it’s a good song! 5/5
Track 16 – Nothing Stops Another Day:
Yet another beautiful song for Molly. When Levy leaves there’ll be a queue for this part! Not sure what the song’s about. Think it’s about letting go, such as letting go of Sam…. sad times. Anyway, it’s a great song and again, might make the hormonal in the audience shed a tear or two. 5/5
Track 17 – I’m Outta Here:
It’s the funk machine…. therefore it must be an Oda track! She may well be saying farewell but this woman doesnt go queitly – even managing a tiny bit of Unchained Melody’s melody in the midst of the funk. 4/5
Track 18 – Unchained Melody (Dance) / The Love Inside:
The final track, takes us back to the Overture’s haunting tone. With Unchained Melody having such a large inspiration in the soundtrack it’s great to hear so many variations. This is undoubtley my favourite with the orchestral tones and sweeping strings leading to a final perfromance from Sam and a final touching yet heartbreaking moment between Sam and Molly where Sam reprises how he says ‘I love you’ to Molly with him actually saying it for once. I am certain, that if I was sat in that theatre, by now I would have goosebumps and even tears in my eyes (possibly running down my cheeks too) and by the time Molly says ‘bye’ possibly a curled up wreck. 5/5
So there we go, my first track by track review of a soundtrack. I have to say that this soundtrack is awesome. I’ve enjoyed listening to it and if I were to have it on my ipod there’s only one or two tracks that I’d skip over. Fleeshman and Levy do an amazing job with their vocals as does Clarke and the rest of the supporting cast and ensemble. I love how the producers of the musical have used the soundtrack as a marketing tool and hope that not only does the soundtrack sell well but ticket sales go up as a result. I’m hoping to see it when I’m in London next and with enough money for a ticket and hope that I can write a review as favourable as this soundtrack review. There is a great mix of styles but they all compliment each other and characters have their own distinct style and themes to go with them which are vital in a musical.
Music and lyrics are by Dave Stewart and Glen Ballard. The show’s book and lyrics are by Bruce Joel Rubin. The show is currenlty in previews at the Picadilly Theatre London and officially opens very soon. Tickets are avaliable from the show’s website. The ablum is avaliable to preorder on itunes, amazon and on Dress Circle (support these guys if possible) and comes out on the 18th July. In the meantime you can listen to it on their facebook page until this Friday (I think). You can get there via our Facebook page.
Production photos, as far as aware, are by Sean Ebsworth Barnes and therefore copyright of him too. Images used have been taken from the public domain and no offence caused if being used in a way in which Barnes or the producers wish them not to be.
afterthecurtaincomesdown 