Chess

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Binding: Audio CD EAN: 0042284744522 Format: Box set Label: Polydor Group Manufacturer: Polydor Group Number Of Discs: 2 Publisher: Polydor Group Release Date: 1996-03-04 Running Time: 93 Studio: Polydor Group
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Spotlight customer reviews: Customer Rating: Summary: NEVER BEEN BETTERED Comment: This album has has never been far away from my CD player since it was released around 23 years ago. The music surprised a lot of people at the time because it wasn't completely representative of the Abba style. In the theatre the music is completely overwhelming. I managed to see the production 3 times, twice with the original cast and that is why I would recommend this recording above all others. Some of the players are different but the American, Russian & Florence were as heard on the CD's. The Swedish touring version mentioned further down is excellent, in that it includes the ending as we knew it & other bits and pieces. Still vocally this is the superior version and no one has sung Florence better than Elaine Paige. A pity it wasn't recorded again in full after they had done their stint on stage as there performances altered and grew in stature. Buy this it's a classic. The touring is good but forget the American highlights, vocals mainly overblown or very wobbly. Customer Rating: Summary: a musical masterpiece! Comment: 25 years on and with the musical getting a new lease of life with a sold out world tour coming i though it was time that this musical got the regonition it deserved the first time round! after the break up of abba, benny and bjorn and musical legend tim rice put this together and it must be one of the most underestimated musical scores of all time...at times immensely classical..at times pure 80s pop..at times westend/ broadway standard...its stunning in its complexity! set against a background of a world chess tournament and the cold war between the usa and russia.."the cold war" as it was known at the time..its the story of a love affair between an married american chess player and a russian players interpreter.(set against the politics and complexities of the situation) the theme of the cold war may be long gone but the basic story is still relavant if a little complex and i recommend you read the synopsis as you listen to understand the story! as well as the huge hits "i know him so well" and "one night in bangkok" every song is a gem in its own right..."nobodys side" and "heaven help my heart" by elaine paige are stunning! one a bitter ode to lost love you could imagine frida singing..the other a classic love song which if agnetha sang would break your heart! "pity the child" a lyrically amazing track about insecurity which uses the backing from "like an angel passing through my room" from abbas "visitors" album! but there is so much more! the musical was not a huge success internationally...i think people got lost along the way with the story in the theatre..but once you know the story it all makes sense and you can indulge yourself in the musical and lyrical mastery of the album! fans of abba will love the next stage...fans of musical theatre will love the epic feel of the album...classical music fans will love the huge immense orchestration...fans of great theatrical vocals will adore elaine paige, barbara dickson and lesser known swedish artists who play the main roles but have all the vocal power of international stars Customer Rating: Summary: CHESS THE CONCEPT ALBUM Comment: I have the original Vinyl Album and I am trying hard to find it on CD. This album overwelming and the production and casting is absolutly fantastic. The final duet sung by Elaine Paige Tommy Korberg is one of the most moving duets I have ever heard. If any one can advise where I can obtain the CD version I would be so grateful as the Vinyl is not in pristene condition and the Tape I made in the 80s does not sound much better. Customer Rating: Summary: the best pop musical ever written Comment: I own the three versions and love them all but without a doubt the Danish version is head and shoulders above the others so if you can find a copy buy it,I had to pay over £50 for mine and its worth every penny,I can probably understand why they haven't found a perfect way to stage it,but the music is superb as you would expect from the ABBA boys and Rices lyrics are outstanding,I have never ever heard a better pop opera and I own quite a few buy this it really is amazing,and hopefully one day it will be staged and get the credit it deserves.Have just got my hands on the Swedish DVD its worth it to hear "you and I Reprise" song brilliantly in Swedish great stuff .Just bought the Swedish cd wow wow wow great in everyway Helen Sjoholms "Florence" the best buy it, and disagree Customer Rating: Summary: The music is beautiful - but what about the sound? Comment: CHESS is a beautiful piece of music. I own the original 2CD version of the musical, released in 1984. The sound, however, is flat and... very 80ish. Has the sound on this 1996 release been remastered at all? Does it sound good? I wouldn't mind buying a second copy if the sound is good enough. More Reviews