Grease [Cast Recording]

"Grease" doesn't have much depth to it, true, but the latest revival of the now-classic show feels empty and dry, lacking anything truly original, offering up nothing new. On stage, I found it to be rather paint-by-numbers. It's as if the cast, especially reality-show stars Laura Osnes and Max Crumm, are told and expected to hit their marks and that's it. Forget characterization or chemistry. The ensemble performs the show dutifully, with refrigerated smiles and sharp dance moves . . . yet despite the polished on-the-mark performances, it still feels like the pep and vim of the show has been zapped out of it.

Sadly, it's apparent in this new cast recording. Chris Jahnke's orchestrations play it safe, with perhaps a few exceptions. 'Those Magic Changes' nicely homages that 60's beach party ballad reminiscent of the Beach Boys or Jan & Dean, complete with bongos and vocal oohs. 'You're the One That I Want' is probably the only track that has the necessary energy with its new rockabilly arrangement, but it comes at the end of the show--coming alive a little too late. 'Summer Nights' is oddly boring and could have been recorded by any of the countless regional/amateur theatre groups who have put "Grease" on. Even the show's signature ballad 'There Are Worse Things I Can Do' is unimaginatively rendered by Jenny Powers' Rizzo.

If you're an avid fan of "Grease" then this is obviously for you. Yet it's one recording you'll hardly go back to for repeat visits. And why should you? The original 1972 Broadway cast recording is definitely a treasure. The 1978 film version stands on its own merits and the 1994 Broadway revival is probably the most definitive with its daring arrangements and tenacity. (Okay, we won't put the 1993 London revival in the same league, with its synthesized orchestrations and lazy performances). This new revival is solid, I'll give it that. But it's nothing to write home about.

I have been a Max Crumm fan ever since I first heard him sing "Summer of 69". He has indeed "just started". He is going to do it all. America knows talent when they see it and they got this one right. Max and Laura are excellent on this CD. Max's rendition of "Sandy" is the best of anyone who has ever done it. Laura's "Hopelessly Devoted" is done flawlessly. They stand out every time they perform. The rest of the cast are also quite talented. Daniel Everidge's "Mooning" is perfection and Lindsay Mendez's voice accompanies him beautifully. Jenny Powers makes every word count in "There are Worse Things I Could Do". I know in the screenplay Kenicke rather than Danny sings Grease Lightning and my only criticism of this CD is I think Max would have done a better job-course I could be prejudiced. All the cast is very talented and this CD has so much energy and bounce; it is a real feel good musical experience. Sometimes our generation asks what the world is coming too but if these talented hardworking young people are any example of today's generation, we have nothing to worry about. If you need an upper, feel like dancing or just want to sing along (they even include the lyrics), this CD is a must. A great treat for yourself, friends or family.

I wanted to like this soundtrack. I'd watched the reality show that cast the leads and liked the idea that it had. However, this soundtrack isn't anywhere near as good as it could be. Some of the other reviews characterize the soundtrack as lacking energy or lethargic and they are dead on. The thing is, in Grease, you really need that energy to carry you through the show. There are some good, albeit safe, arrangements and the performances are vocally decent. But this soundtrack misses on a lot more than it hits. 2/5