- Audio CD (Sep 24 2002)
- Number of Discs: 2
- Format: Cast Recording
- Label: Atlantic
- ASIN: B000002J4V
- Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
#69,722 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
- #60 in Music > Miscellaneous > Compilations > Decades > 1950-1959
- #63 in Music > Classic Rock > Oldies & Retro > 1950s
- #65 in Music > Pop > By Decade > 1950s
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Product Details |
Track Listings
| Disc: 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Act 1. Neighborhood | |||
| 2. Act 1. Young Blood | |||
| 3. Act 1. Falling | |||
| 4. Act 1. Ruby Baby | |||
| 5. Act 1. Dance With Me | |||
| 6. Act 1. Neighborhood (Reprise) | |||
| 7. Act 1. Keep On Rollin' | |||
| 8. Act 1. Searchin' | |||
| 9. Act 1. Kansas City | |||
| 10. Act 1. Trouble | |||
See all 19 tracks on this disc
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| Disc: 2 | |||
| 1. Act 2. Baby, That is Rock & Roll | |||
| 2. Act 2. Yakety Yak | |||
| 3. Act 2. Charlie Brown | |||
| 4. Act 2. Stay A While | |||
| 5. Act 2. Pearl's A Singer | |||
| 6. Act 2. Teach Me How to Shimmy | |||
| 7. Act 2. You're The Boss | |||
| 8. Act 2. Loving You | |||
| 9. Act 2. Treat Me Nice | |||
| 10. Act 2. Hound Dog | |||
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See all 35 tracks on this disc
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Product Description
From Amazon.com
As good as Pomus and Gordy were, they can't compare with the premier rock & roll songwriters of the pre-Beatles era: Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller, Chuck Berry, and Percy Mayfield. The team of Leiber (the lyricist) and Stoller (the composer) created such enduring standards as "Kansas City," "Hound Dog," "Stand By Me," "Spanish Harlem," "Jailhouse Rock," and many more. Those songs and 33 more were assembled into a bookless Broadway musical called Smokey Joe's Cafe, which was nominated for eight Tony Awards. If this soundtrack album is any indication, the show was an abomination, an act of self-betrayal by Leiber and Stoller, who not only participated in putting the show together but also co-produced the album with Arif Mardin. Instead of remaining true to the songs' rock & roll roots, the soundtrack producers have allowed the obscure stage performers to commit Broadway's worst sins: excessive earnestness, undernourished rhythms, and bombastic over-singing. Everyone in the cast has a good singing voice, but no one has a distinctive musical personality. Michael Park's Presley parody on "Jailhouse Rock," B.J. Crosby's confusion of vocal power for vocal attitude on "Hound Dog," and Victor Trent Cook's syrupy version of "I (Who Have Nothing)" prove Broadway chorus dancers are no substitute for real rock & roll singers. --Geoffrey Himes
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Customer Reviews
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Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
My original copy is wearing out, so I'm buying a second!,
By
This review is from: Smokey Joe's Cafe: Songs.. (Audio CD)
Was AMAZED at the Hines "official" review. I disagree vehemently. (His initial statement seems to indicate that he did NOT see the show ... Major Bummer for Mr. Hines, I'd say.)Saw the show in NYC in December, 1996 -- bought the CD in the theatre lobby on my way out, as I KNEW I had to own it. It's worn from use (by myself and by my 22 year old daughter). Yes, I own the original versions of many of the songs ... have a big collection which includes many CD's, tapes, and LP's (Yes, I'm THAT old...) of the Drifters, Coasters, and Ben E. King. I have loved all these songs since dancing to them at my high school sock-hops 30+ years back. Classics. What's not to like? I see no reason to make a comparison between the original artists' renditions, and the versions found on this album. I frankly find it absurd to judge artistic works (or various interpretations of the same works) as if they were in competition with one another. I receive just as much enjoyment from listening to the songs on "Smokey Joe's Cafe" as I do listening to the original artists' renditions. And this CD offers a compilation and variety that is hard to resist. I recommend this HEARTILY, whether or not you ever see the show.
5.0 out of 5 stars
An incredible taste of the best songs ever written,
By A Customer
This review is from: Smokey Joe's Cafe: Songs.. (Audio CD)
The combination of Leiber and Stoller is amazing. Together they created some of the best known hits of the 50s and 60s. Who could forget "Jailhouse Rock"? Along with "Jailhouse Rock" many other songs grace the stage in Smokey Joe's Cafe. Get this CD. It is one of the best Broadway musicals I have seen. The talent displayed by this cast is unparalled... even better than the original recording in some cases! I highly recommend this to ANYONE. Heck, I've been listening to it for 5 years... and I'm only 20!
5.0 out of 5 stars
A 50s& 60s-Romantic&Energetic Collection,
By
This review is from: Smokey Joe's Cafe: Songs.. (Audio CD)
I first heard the CD about 4 years ago and listened to it countless times. Then the road tour came to Olympia, WA, and I went to see it. What a pleasure it was to see it, the singers have great voices and just bring the music alive, making it enjoyable. I particularly enjoyed "Little Egypt", and "I'm a Woman..." I recommend this CD to anyone who loves listening to the good times of the 50s and 60s and anyone who has to the chance to see the performance, go and see it! You won't regret it :)
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