Violet (1998 Original Off-Broadway Cast) [Cast Recording]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
While Broadway as a mega-spectacle can be fun, sometimes big, loud shows can leave a spectator numb. There's no risk of that with Violet, an intimate piece that, in fact, never made it to the Great White Way. And it's just as well, really, since the emotional impact of this unjustly underrated show was a lot more suited to New York's 145-seat Playwrights Horizons theater, where it had a too-short run in 1997. Composer Jeanine Tesori is often mentioned in the same breath as Michael John LaChiusa and Adam Guettel. While she shares with them a desire to dust off the musical theater, she's also more comfortable than they are with various pop vernaculars. In Violet, which tells the story of a scarred young woman who goes on a road trip through North Carolina, Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Arkansas in the 1960s, Tesori used gospel, R&B, blues, and country, but the result is unmistakable musical theater and not a mish-mash of styles. Lauren Ward is spellbinding as the title character, and she later went on to be equally impressive in Sondheim's Saturday Night and the revival of 1776. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Tracks:

Prologue
Lovers End
Happy Birthday
Horror Show
Violet
Red
Play Dead
Blue
Video Kid
The Dream
Black
Holiday
Nevermind

Customer Reviews:

amazing!!!.......2007-07-06

their sound is unique, and the new album comes out september 10!!! a must
!!!!!!!!!
no other band out there caters so much to their younger audiences; catch them on tour this season!!

Great Find.......2007-05-13

A friend sent me a video for "Happy Birthday" for my birthday, what a gift...This album is great from start to finish. Violet is still in my CD player over a month after my first listen, I can't get enough. I can't wait for their new album in August and the re-release of "Nothing and Nowhere" June 2nd!!!!

excellant.......2007-05-10

When I heard them I was blown away, I enjoy listening to their music over and over and not get tired of listening to them , her vocals are wonderful, I can't wait till their next album..I recommmend you buy the cd you won't be dissapointed that a fact..

Its very good music its twisted!.......2007-04-02

I loved it when I heard just one song I knew I had to but it!
The birthday massacre is a awsome band from canada!The musics like twisted but really good techno-electric sounding with alternitive rock!
lovers end is my favorite song!Its like the lyrics are about love and then just kinda like heartbreaking something like that!
Very pleased it rox believe me!!!1

Something and Somewhere.......2007-03-01

I think lead singer Chibi's growling vocals on "Blue" were perfect. In fact, I wish more of their songs were like Blue. Her vocal work gave the song a menacing, freaky, almost nightmarish quality. And only part of the song is sung that way, which is also great; it gives more texture to the song.

I listen to a lot of heavier music -System of a Down, Overkill, Tiamat, Tristania, etc- and its a refreshing change when TBM comes up on my playlist. But some of the heavy bands have their softer moments, and I think TBM would be even greater if they had a few more heavier, dramatic songs like Blue.

Average customer rating:

Nothing & Nowhere
The Birthday Massacre
Manufacturer: Metropolis Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Blue
Eat Me, Drink Me
The Failure Epiphany
Liar / Dead Is The New Alive
Krankhaus

ASIN: B000PSJCMY
Release Date: 2007-06-05

Tracks:

Happy Birthday
Horrow Show
Promise Me
Under the Stairs
To Die For
Video Kid
Over
Broken
The Dream

Album Description

A captivating hybrid of 80s electronica and aggressive guitars, curiously fused with a cinematic quality of melodic progressions. Their 2005 debut, "Violet" catapulted them into the hearts of not only electronic but rock fans as well. While the band works on their next album for late 2007, Metropolis is re-releasing this out-of-print, self-released 2002 record, featuring early versions of the popular tracks "Happy Birthday", "Horror Show", "Video Kid", "The Dream", and five unavailable since the band's release went out of print.

Average customer rating:

"No, we're not gonna do Stonehenge..."
Blackmore's Night "Under a Violet Moon"
A new standard in modern folk renaisance music
SOLID
I Hate To Admit It...

Under a Violet Moon
Blackmore's Night
Manufacturer: Steamhammer Us [Spv]
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Shadow of the Moon
Fires at Midnight
Ghost of a Rose
The Village Lanterne
Beyond the Sunset: The Romantic Collection

ASIN: B00005J9YO
Release Date: 1999-11-16

Tracks:

Under a Violet Moon
Castles and Dreams
Past Time with Good Company
Morning Star
Avalon
Possum Goes to Prague
Wind in the Willows
Gone with the Wind
Beyond the Sunset
March the Heroes Home
Spanish Nights (I Remember It Well)
Catherine Howard's Fate
Fool's Gold
Durch den Wald Zum Bach Haus
Now and Then
Self Portrait

Customer Reviews:

"No, we're not gonna do Stonehenge...".......2007-07-08

During the first moments of the opening track, I thought "Grace Slick, Jefferson Airplane, 'Lather' from 'Crown of Creation'"...

Then the hand-clapping and the "HEYs!" began and visions of Spinal Tap and a Stonehenge that was in danger of being trampled by a dwarf filled my fevered brain...

Then I thought of Patton Oswalt's ongoing "Reno 911" character...the Renaissance Faire guy. I know it's Ritchie Blackmore on guitar but all I could visualize was Patton Oswalt.

Then I thought about Ritchie Blackmore and the excellent "California Jam: Deep Purple Live In California 74" DVD, and that scene at the end of "Space Truckin'" where he plays his Strat with his foot and proceeds to obliterate his Marshall stack, one of the TV cameras, the Strat itself, and pretty much anyone witnessing the event.

Then I imagined attending a Blackmore's Night concert in 2007 and after an hour and a half of being lulled to a restless slumber by the medievally numbing tones of fair damsel Candice, finding out that the encore would be "Smoke On The Water" as played on a lute with pan pipe accompaniment and I woke up screaming, only to find that I was safe at my computer keyboard and in the process of writing my Amazon review for "Under A Violet Moon."

Track after track after oxcart-driven track, this album keeps advancing, like a bustle in the hedgerow or a spring clean for the May Queen. 16 tracks later, I got out my copy of Motörhead's "Everything Louder Than Everything Else" and allowed the reassuring sonic warmth of "I'm So Bad, Baby I Don't Care" to envelop me like a comforting shroud.

I somehow sense that I will receive the highest number of "I did not find this review helpful" ratings in the history of Amazon. That's OK. If I have to choose between Bilbo Baggins or Lemmy Kilmister, I've made my choice. Flame away, if ye must. That's right...I said "YE." With revels and with wassails make grief and care our vassals, Fa-la!

Oy VEY. Gimme a break. Who LISTENS to this stuff?

Fairport Convention pretty much did what Blackmore's Night is doing, and they did it first, and they did it better. For those of you who want to sing the praises of the lovely Candice Night, I have two words for you:

"Sandy Denny."

Ritchie! I know you've had a hard time in the past getting along with others, but is this really the way you intend to spend the rest of your life? While you're peacefully plucking "Durch Den Wald Zum Bach Haus," do you sometimes get the urge to drag the Strat out of mothballs and let 'er rip? Remember how Ian Paice used to kick off the intro to "Fireball" and you'd come in a couple of seconds later like a freight train with that bruising speed boogie riff? You're REALLY OK with trading that for "Possum Goes to Prague?"

You wore the Deep Purple guys out...read the liner notes and watch the interviews from the "Montreux" collections that have been released in the last couple of years. They're very happy without you, and Steve Morse plays all of your old licks at least as well as you did. But maybe you could call up Coverdale and Hughes and do a "Burn Anniversary Tour" or something. Maybe after R.J.D. gets finished with the "Heaven And Hell" Sabbath tour you could put Rainbow back together. Just one tour and a live album. Is that asking too much? Do you remember "Long Live Rock And Roll?" Were you LYING to us? Did you REALLY mean "Long Live 16th Century Madrigals?" NO! You said it! Long Live ROCK AND ROLL!"

Remember that riff from "Man On The Silver Mountain?" That's YOUR riff! You WROTE it! Don't you EVER want to play it again on stage with 50 gazillion people screaming and cheering when you hit those first notes?

Ritchie! You're RITCHIE BLACKMORE! Come ON! How can you NOT want to be RITCHIE BLACKMORE again?

Blackmore's Night "Under a Violet Moon".......2007-06-29

Nice change of pace for Richie. I stumbled upon this tour and it was just an incredible sound! Very solid collection of tunes!

A new standard in modern folk renaisance music.......2007-03-08

I've been a fan of Richie Blackmore since I returned from my Vietnam combat experience. I have always been 'awed' by his arrangements and how he delivers. There are many musicians with incredible talent out there and I strayed being captivated by Steve Hackett, David Arkenstone and Chris Spheeris. Although, I am still a huge fan of these 3 musicians, in recently being turned on to Blackmmores Night, I have rediscovered my roots with Richie and his current music effort. This CD is the epitamy of the Richie's energy, I like so much and gets far more listening time than the others. However, I listen to all of his CD's a LOT.

SOLID.......2006-09-14

Another solid effort by Ritchie Blackmore. The track "Under a Violet Moon" is top of the line. I will say that I much prefer the more energetic version of it which is on the DVD. Ditto with "Wind in the Willow". But how cool is "Durch"? Or "Beyond the Sunset"?. Gotta love those instrumentals!!! Not that I have anything against Candy's smooth, yet unremarkable voice.....

I Hate To Admit It..........2006-03-19

but the cheese factor here is seriously high. This is the perfect music for a gaggle of aging hippies and their wannabe progeny to dance to at a morning Moonrise. Unlike other reviewers, I'm NOT impressed with the musicianship on this album. Now that Blackmore's found his soulmate, his music's turned giddy and touchy-feelie and happy and it's completely lost its creative forcefulness - the Billy Joel syndrome (anyone remember "Uptown Girl"?) Gone are the tour de force of Lazy and Child In Time and Black Night, and it has nothing to do with Heavy Metal vs. Modern Renaissance. When Blackmore was with DP, and even with Rainbow, he came up with music no one had heard before. He created a style anyone could identify after 10 notes, and inspired countless guitarists because of his creative brilliance. Now is the fall of that great guitar inspiration. The solos on Violet Moon are uncreative, pure and simple. Any gifted high school kid could write them. And while Candice has a beautiful voice, she's just another instrument for Blackmore to orchestrate. Regardless of how well she hits a note or sustains a melody, a mediocre Blackmore can only result in a mediocre Candice. And really, the lyrics - - cheese.

Violet Moon will appeal to a small niche audience. If you enjoy true Renaissance music, there are countless ensembles that do it far better. If you're a fan of Blackmore and want to hear the legend push the envelope in stirring new directions, stop and listen to the old stuff before you're sorely disappointed. This is no Clapton. But if you enjoy pseudo-Renaissance music played in a modern style, and can get over the cheese factor with Candice's singing and the lyrics, you probably will not be disappointed with this album. Without a doubt, there are some catchy tunes here. Besides, a mediocre Blackmore is still far better than most other stuff out there.

It is Blackmore, after all.

Violet (1998 Original Off-Broadway Cast)

Average customer rating:

WHERE IN THE HECK IS IT???
Don't hesitate, just buy the CD and enjoy it!
An unsung hero of a show...
Amazing and underrated!
An usual musical -- surprising turns with every track

Violet (1998 Original Off-Broadway Cast)
Jeanine Tesori , and Brian Crawley
Manufacturer: Original Cast
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Spring Awakening (2006 Original Broadway Cast)
John & Jen (1995 Original Off-Broadway Cast)
Grey Gardens - A New Musical (2006 Original Broadway Cast)
Hello Again (1994 Original Broadway Cast)
I Love You Because (2006 Original Off-Broadway Cast)

ASIN: B00000DGOE
Release Date: 1999-02-09

Tracks:

Act I: Spruce Pine, North Carolina To Kingsport, Tennessee: Water In The Well - Amanda Posner/Lauren Ward
Act I: Spruce Pine, North Carolina To Kingsport, Tennessee: Surprised - Lauren Ward
Act I: Spruce Pine, North Carolina To Kingsport, Tennessee: On My Way - Lauren Ward/Ann Brown, Linda Dorsey/Brian D'Arcy James
Act I: Spruce Pine, North Carolina To Kingsport, Tennessee: M & Ms - Ann Brown, Linda Dorsey/Brian D'Arcy James
Act I: Spruce Pine, North Carolina To Kingsport, Tennessee: Luck Of The Draw - Stephen Lee Anderson/Amanda Posner/Lauren Ward/Michael Park/Michael McElroy
Act I: Kingsport To Nashville, Tennessee: Question & Answer - Michael Park/Lauren Ward
Act I: Kingsport To Nashville, Tennessee: All To Pieces - Lauren Ward/Michael Park/Michael McElroy
Act I: Nashville To Memphis, Tennesse: A Healing Touch - Robert Westenberg/Amanda Posner
Act I: Nashville To Memphis, Tennesse: Let It Sing - Michael McElroy
Act I: Memphis: Who'll Be The One (If Not Me) - The Jordanaires
Act I: Memphis: You're Different - Michael Park
Act I: Memphis: Lonely Stranger - Paula Newsome
Act I: Memphis: Lay Down Your Head - Lauren Ward
Act I: Memphis: Anyone Would Do - Paula Newsome/Rozz Morehead/Cass Morgan
Act II: Memphis To Fort Smith, Arkansas: Hard To Say Goodbye - Michael McElroy/Lauren Ward
Act II: Memphis To Fort Smith, Arkansas: Promise Me, Violet - Michael Park/Michael McElroy/Lauren Ward
Act II: Tulsa, Oklahoma-Hope And Glory Building: Raise Me Up - Robert Westenberg/Avis Graves/The Broadway Gospel Choir/Michael McElroy
Act II: Tulsa, Oklahoma-Hope And Glory Building: Down The Mountain - Stephen Lee Anderson/Amanda Posner
Act II: Tulsa, Oklahoma-Hope And Glory Building: Raise Me Up (Reprise) - Lauren Ward/Robert Westenberg
Act II: Tulsa, Oklahoma-Hope And Glory Building: Look At Me - Lauren Ward/Amanda Posner
Act II: Tulsa, Oklahoma-Hope And Glory Building: That's What I Could Do - Stephen Lee Anderson
Act II: Tulsa To Fort Smith, Arkansas: Surprised (Reprise) - Lauren Ward
Act II: Tulsa To Fort Smith, Arkansas: M & Ms (Reprise) - Ann Brown, Linda Dorsey/Brian D'Arcy James
Act II: Tulsa To Fort Smith, Arkansas: Promise Me, Violet (Reprise) - Michael McElroy/Lauren Ward/Amanda Posner
Act II: Tulsa To Fort Smith, Arkansas: Bring Me To Light - Amanda Posner/Michael McElroy/Lauren Ward/Michael Park/Stephen Lee Anderson/Ann Brown/Linda Dorsey..