West Side Story

[grant]

Hi Dave

I think Joyce won a promo copy on Ebay.

Best wishes
Grant

[Stephany]

Hi Dave, Grant and everyone,

I also got my copy of 'West Side Story' from Ebay this morning but I won't post my review until the CD's official release date.
Just wanted to say that it is very, very good. Well done Hayley and everyone !
Having said that, I will probably get another copy on August 13 because mine has many scratches on it

Stephany

[dutchjoyce]

Yes ,it is a promo copy, and i do the same as Stephany says,
I listen to it but will wait till 13 of august to give a review.
GreetzJOYCE.

[Stephany]

Another review from IndieLondon :

West Side Story

Fifty years old and still going strong – that’s West Side Story, a musical that broke new ground when it was launched on an unsuspecting public back in 1957.

Inspired by Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story relocates to New York where the tension between two rival gangs – the all American Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks – erupts into violence with tragic consequences for Tony and Maria, the young lovers from opposing sides.

As well as innovative dance routines and songs that wear their hearts on their sleeves, West Side Story tackles the thorny issue of racism, thereby making it as pertinent today as it has always been. Quite apart, of course, from the dangerous knife culture.

Now and to celebrate its 50th anniversary, comes a new ‘glitzy’ recording of this evergreen musical, featuring two of the biggest and youngest stars of classical cross-over in the world – Vittorio Grigolo as Tony and Hayley Westenra as Maria. Other stars include Connie Fisher, Will Martin (as Riff, leader of the Jets) and Melanie Marshall (as Anita, Maria’s brother’s girlfriend).

As you would expect, this is a classy recording and captures all the excitement and pathos of the original. And here I’m referring to the original sound track recording of the 1961 motion picture which, to me, will always be the definitive one – perhaps because it was my introduction to West Side Story.

There’s absolutely no doubt Westenra has a beautiful voice but it is sophisticated, something Maria definitely isn’t. She is, in fact, a simple girl from Puerto Rico, albeit a very pretty one, and in Westenra’s voice I feel something of her naivete is lost.

[/color] Grigolo too is wonderful to listen to – but should all American Tony have an accent?

Speaking of which, what has happened to Bernado? His contribution to America (that “better get rid of your accent”) had females everywhere lusting after him. Bernado was, of course, George Chakiris! Here, America is sung just by Anita and the Puerto Rican girls, as indeed it was in the original stage version when Chita Rivera played Anita, and as a result loses some of its bite . A pity….

Which leaves Connie Fisher who has only the one song, the haunting Somewhere, in which to prove herself. She does, of course, although her inclusion as ‘A girl’ is puzzling as the number belongs entirely to Tony and Maria. Could it be Fisher’s new-found fame, justified though it is, was just too tempting a lure?

For all that, this is a beautiful recording, one that fan’s of Bernstein’s highly acclaimed musical will love. It’s also a fitting tribute to a work that has stood the test of time and is as popular today as it was 50 years ago.

[/size][/quote]

[Gene]

One of my favorite actresses played Maria in the original West Side Story movie. The actress had a terrible fear of water, and unfortunately, it was drowning that took her life. The actress of course was beautiful Natalie Wood. She was, in my opinion, the perfect Maria. Does anyone recall who she was married to when she met her tragic end?

[Gene]

Below is a link to Richard NG's music review blog, where he discusses Hayley and West Side Story. If it's already been posted in the Forum, my apologies. He discusses Hayley, the play, the album and also lists the soundtracks included. There is also a link to a video of Hayley and Vittorio doing some of "Tonight".
I found it very interesting.
Regards, Gene
rngmusicreview.blogspot.com/2007/07/hayley-westenra-in-50th-anniversary.html

[xcv462]

Natalie Wood was married to Robert Wagner

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natalie_Wood

[stevemacdonald]

There’s absolutely no doubt Westenra has a beautiful voice but it is sophisticated, something Maria definitely isn’t. She is, in fact, a simple girl from Puerto Rico, albeit a very pretty one, and in Westenra’s voice I feel something of her naivete is lost. Grigolo too is wonderful to listen to – but should all American Tony have an accent?

There seems to be a double standard going on here. Wasn't "West Side Story" basically an updated version of "Romeo & Juliet"? Well what's so wrong about updating "West Side Story" a little bit? Yes, Maria is a Kiwi in this case and Tony's from Italy. If you know anything about New York (I'm originally from there) a big part of the population is foreign-born. You're very likely to run into Kiwis and Italians or anyone else from the over 200 nations represented there, legally or otherwise. Point is, "West Side Story" is about New York and that means continuous flux where ethnicities are concerned.

[Richard]

Hello Steve and everybody!

I think some of the reviewers are missing the point here. This is a new recording of the music, not a new production of the show, so the finer details of the story are irrelevant. That's only my personal opinion, but I doubt if it will change after I've listened to the whole album. i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Best Wishes,

Richard

[Richard]

Hello again folks!

Hayley and Vittorio will be talking about their recording of 'West Side Story' on Classic FM's 'The Guest List' this Sunday, 29th July 2007. I've posted the full details in a new thread on the Media board HERE.

Richard

[Stephany]

Thanks for the information, Richard.
I also found another review of 'West Side Story' :

Let's hear it again for a classic story
Marcus Dunk
27 July 2007
The Daily Express
(c) 2007 Express Newspapers


ALBUM OF THE WEEK VARIOUS: WEST SIDE STORY (UCJ)

It was inspired by Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet, is still one of the great American musicals and this year celebrates its 50th birthday. Half a century on, West Side Story continues to hold a special place in the hearts of fans in a way that perhaps only The Sound Of Music comes close to emulating.

From Maria and America through to Tonight and Somewhere, its songs have become standards, while its choreography has been copied, emulated and parodied by countless imitators over the years.

Not that it hasn't aged. Anyone who has recently watched the Academy award-winning 1961 film knows that at times it's difficult to stifle the giggles when supposedly hardened Jets and Sharks gang members begin to flounce around singing showtunes.

Yet it's also worth noting that from the beginning, this was a musical seen as being slightly out of step. Leonard Bernstein's showy and occasionally operatic score seemed to some to be ill-suited to the story of love amongst gang warfare in contemporary New York, while the gritty, contemporary setting was initially deemed too depressing for mainstream audiences to handle.

Of course, those concerns proved to be ill-founded but there is still a sense that this is a musical with its feet in different camps. It seems fitting then, that for this 50th-anniversary recording, the producers have chosen a number of classical crossover stars to take the lead roles, including superstar tenor Vittorio Grigolo as Tony, young soprano Hayley Westenra as Maria, and Sound Of Music star Connie Fisher as the girl who sings Somewhere.

Although they have their work cut out in competing with the definitive 1984 recording, which featured Jose Carreras as Tony, Kiri Te Kanawa as Maria and Leonard Bernstein conducting, this version has a y outhful, rough-around-the-edges vitality that the earlier release sorely lacked.

Long-term fans might not entirely approve but this energetic recording is a fitting birthday gift for this marvellous musical.

[Stephany]

Here is an article related to this topic, as it is about Kiwi singer Will Martin who also sings on this new 'West Side Story' CD.

Singer lands $3m deal
28 July 2007
(c) 2007 The New Zealand Herald

You may not have heard of him yet, but Will Martin is a superstar in the making. The North Shore 22-year-old has landed the most lucrative contract offered to a New Zealand musician - worth almost $3 million.

Martin has signed a five-album deal with Universal Music Group with his first ``popera'' - or classical crossover - album due out in October.

UMG expects the album to sell 2 million copies and Martin to rival the popularity of his new labelmate, Hayley Westenra.

Martin was ``discovered'' singing on a cruise liner last September by rival record label EMI, which 24 hours later offered him a $1.9 million contract. However, UMG topped the offer and Martin signed, earning New Zealand's richest recording contract.

See canvas magazine for a profile of this rising star.

[stevemacdonald]

...Martin was "discovered'' singing on a cruise liner last September by rival record label EMI, which 24 hours later offered him a $1.9 million contract. However, UMG topped the offer and Martin signed, earning New Zealand's richest recording contract.

To keep this on topic (West Side Story), let me say that EMI were like the Sharks to UMG's Jets. I'm glad Martin went with UMG, especially when you consider how ineptly EMI marketed one of their most promising talents ever, Miss B. Taylor.

[davemcc]

Just orderd from amazon.co.uk so that will be another one for my collection.

[Eric]

Wow...interesting topic indeed! I have surely missed a lot! I'm very anxious to get a copy of this CD, as well. It looks as though Ms. Hayley isn't the only one stealing hearts anymore!

Well, I do hope that one of these young ladies are able to steal away Vittorio! As for Hayley...I don't think she would be lonely for too long! I mean, really...what does Vittorio have that I haven't? Taking aside his wit, charm, personality, good looks, and a boat load of talent, we're practically the same! Soooo....he's got the name, too, huh?

Oh well, I guess I shall just join Marianne in dreaming...perhaps we should combine our dreams, Marianne. We'll meet on a hillside somewhere and you can lure Vittorio away with your girlish charm, and I'll wisk Ms. Hayley off her feet with my dream-enhanced vocal range.

Ok, before I go in over my head, let's get back on topic..... I really am looking forward to this CD...though truthfully, I have never seen the drama! I know most of the songs because they are very popular here in the States, even apart from the acts. As was said before, hopefully, this will mean a boost for Hayley's career here Stateside.

Best wishes all,
Eric

P.S. Does anyone have Vittorio's cellphone number? I need to have a talk with him.