Boy George's Taboo (2002 Original London Cast) [Cast Recording]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Boy George's musical-theater debut has been unfairly maligned. Set in the glamorously decadent London nightlife of the early 1980s, the show is unquestionably hampered by a weak book. But Boy George's original score (which is credited to his actual birth name of George O'Dowd) boasts several strong pop songs and generously spread-out tour-de-force numbers among a handful of performers. The plot follows the rise to fame of Boy George (impeccably channeled by Euan Morton) and his interaction with lovers and hangers-on, friends and foes. One of the most striking characters is Australian-born performance artist Leigh Bowery, confusingly played by Boy George and Matt Lucas, who took turns during the London run and who both appear on this cast album (George sings "Everything Taboo," for instance, but Lucas gets the striking, Cabaret-like "Ich Bin Kunst"). Confused yet? Well, that's Taboofor you. But never mind the plot: There's plenty of cool, theatrical tunes on this CD, which is more than you can say about most contemporary shows. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Boy George's Taboo (2002 Original London Cast), Music, Boy George, Euan Morton, Cast Recordings, Music Theater, Musical Theater, Pop, Showtunes / B'Way

Taboo (2003 Original Broadway Cast)
Average customer rating:

I never saw the show on Broadway, but...

Great Pop CD !

Amazing show, amazing music!

There is still humor in Art

Amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Taboo (2003 Original Broadway Cast)
Boy George , Raul Esparza , and Euan Morton
Manufacturer: Drg
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
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U Can Never Be 2 Straight

ASIN: B00028HBSY
Release Date: 2004-05-25

Tracks:

Freak / Ode to Attention Seekers
Stranger in This World
Safe in the City
Dress to Kill
Genocide Peroxide
I'll Have You All
Sexual Confusion
Pretty Lies
Guttersnipe
Love Is A Question Mark
Do You Really Want To Hurt Me
Church of the Poison Mind / Karma Chameleon
Everything Taboo
Talk Amongst Yourselves
The Fame Game
I See Through You
Ich Bin Kunst
Petrified
Out Of Fashion
Il Adore
Come on in From the Outside

Amazon.com

If you were in New York when Taboo was in previews, you would have thought that all the show's drama took place backstage instead of on it--reports of clashes between producer Rosie O'Donnell, director Mark Renshaw and various members of the cast (including author-actor Boy George) appeared almost daily. But guess what: The show turned out to be a lot better than its reputation, and based on its two cast albums, the Broadway version even improved on the London one. The book was spruced up by playwright Charles Busch and Boy George tweaked his score, adding for instance the opening number "Freaks/Ode to Attention Seekers." This welcome recording confirms that Taboo is an underestimated show. Pop and theatrical at the same time, it even delivers show-stopping power ballads (Liz McCartney's "Talk Amongst Yourselves," Cary Shields's "I See Through You") that could have a second life on cabaret stage or even American Idol. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews:

I never saw the show on Broadway, but..........2006-02-18

I never saw the show on broadway, but the music is awesome, I wish I had! It ran for such a short time, I never had the chance to see it. The only day I was in NYC during it's run the show was dark :-(. But, Euan Morton, Cary Shields, how can you go wrong?

Great Pop CD !.......2005-06-18

Despite this being a theatrical score, "Taboo" doubles as a terrific pop cd, filled with many great melodies & messages. Best tracks include:

Stranger In This World
Everything Taboo [great dance song!]
Talk Amongst Yourselves
Out Of Fashion [the voices blend beautifully together]
Il Adore [gut-wrenching song]

It's really too bad the show didn't hang around a bit longer ... maybe it was just ill-timed. I also wish the U.S. version had contained "Touched By The Hand Of Cool", but it was dropped for some reason.

Thanks Rosie for introducing this music to us!

Amazing show, amazing music!.......2005-01-08

Taboo has a great score and a great cast to perform it. I saw the show once, not knowing what to expect, but by the first number "Freak/Ode To Attention Seekers" I fell in love with it, and the rest was just as good. The songs are great and the cast is very talented. Someone who would be put off by the visuals of the show should still give the music a try (I got some friends in school to listen who I know would never have seen the show, and they liked the music).
I was disappointed that Boy George's score did not win a Tony, nor did the two actors nominated for their roles, Euan Morton and Raul Esparza, who were fantastic. Sadly, it is too late to see the show anymore, but the music still lives on. This album is a great addition to a CD collection and I reccommend buying it if you have not already done so!

There is still humor in Art.......2005-01-02

A really great cast album. I saw the play twice and loved it. I laugh every time I play the CD remembering the wit in a very fond look back at the 80's. Boy George was almost as over the top as Leigh Bowery and his musical numbers are quite a treat. Euan Morton's voice on "Stranger in this World" is moving and seemingly heartfelt. And I just cannot say enough of Jeffrey Carlson's rendition of "Genocide Peroxide" Fabulous!

For the life of me I could not understand why the play was not so well received but after the recent Presidential election I realize that there are not as many open minded people out there as I thought.

The way that "Out of Fashion" uses a line from each previous song I thought was unique and shapes a very interesting song. But the whole CD is really, really worth a listen.

Amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.......2004-12-22

I absolutely LOVE this soundtrack!!!!! I got it on Saturday, August 21st at Circuit City and is my all time favorite CD right now. I know most of the songs, but I'll learn other songs like ''The Fame Game (aka Fame is What She Wanted),'' ''Talk Amongst Yourselves,'' ''Come On In From the Outside'' and ''Petrified.'' The songs I know are: ''Freak/Ode to Attention Seekers,'' ''Stranger in This World,'' ''Safe in the City,'' ''Dressed to Kill,'' ''Genocide Peroxide (aka Evil),'' ''I'll Have You All,'' ''Sexual Confusion,'' ''Guttersnipe (aka Stars From the Gutter),'' ''Do You Really Want to Hurt Me,'' ''Church of the Poison Mind/Karma Chameleon,'' ''Everything Taboo,'' ''Out of Fashion,'' ''Il Adore,'' and...........

OF COURSE, THE NUMBER 1 TABOO SONG THAT YOU CAN'T HAVE A TABOO CD WITHOUT..........

''ICH BIN KUNST''!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love that song so much! In fact, it's my favorite Boy George song!

I will also learn ''Love is a Question Mark.'' I love to sing these songs in the car or to my friends in recess at school.

Average customer rating:

Great
Bring it BACK to Broadway!!
Taboo
The Broadway show is amazing!!!
mimblewimble

Boy George's Taboo

Manufacturer: First Night Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Musical Theater | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

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Tracks:

Ode To Attention Seekers - Paul Baker
Safe In The City - Luke Evans
Freak - Paul Baker
Stranger In This World - Boy George
Genocide Peroxide - Mark McGee
I'll Have You All - Matt Lucas
Love Is A Question Mark - Dianne Pilkington
Shelter - Mark White
Pretty Lies - Dianne Pilkington
Guttersnipe - Mark McGee
Talk Amongst Yourselves - Lyn Paul
Do You Really Want To Hurt Me? - Boy George
Touched By The Hand Of Cool - Matt Lucas
Everything Taboo - George O'Dowd
Petrified - Paul Baker
I See Through You - Luke Evans
Independent Woman - Gemma Craven
Ich Bin Kunst - Matt Lucas
Out Of Fashion - Drew Jaymson
II Adore - Gail Mackinnon
Pie In The Sky - Boy George

Customer Reviews:

Great.......2004-02-18

I bought the Cd it was very good music especially when i need time to relax. This music also helps me meditate. I reccomend this Cd to anyone that can have a few minutes to enjoy good music. Although the music can be loud it is easy to sleep with it on.

Bring it BACK to Broadway!!.......2004-02-17

My best friend had purchased tickets for us to see Taboo before they announced the clsing date. We both enjoyed the show which I personally thought was phenomenal. Euan was great, Raul was amazing, and the Boy, of course, was VERY flamboyant! All good ingredients for this wonderful show...especially George's solo in a glass box, "Ich Bin Kunst". Even the solo performance of "Il Adore", by George's wife for George's death scene was spectacular. If they were still open, I would be there at least once a month. Definitely getting the soundtrack when it's released!

Taboo.......2004-01-22

This is not the NYC recording!!! This is the London cast. The NYC cast is slated to record Feb. 2.

The Broadway show is amazing!!!.......2004-01-07

Just got back from NYC where I saw TABOO. In all my years of seeing musicals, TABOO was by far the best!

Amazing music and every voice powerful & unbelievable! Raul Esparza & Brooke Elliott as the narrators (Philip & Big Sue) are incredible. Brooke's solo "Talk Amoungst Yourselves" was absolutely incredible! That girl can sing!

Euan Morton is a dead ringer for the Boy George of the 80s. And he has the voice of an angel. Boy George himself is great as Leigh Bowery and does a stand-up bit in Act II! Euan & George are the only 2 from the London cast that are on Broadway.

I wish I had another day to spend in NYC to see it again!

Definetly get the London Cast CD and wait anxiously for the Broadway cast to release one!

mimblewimble.......2003-12-09

The above just about describes my reaction after coming out of the theater this weekend. I actually didn't see Raul Esparza, but Donnie Keshawarz was incredible just the same. I don't buy soundtracks often, but the songs in this show were just... le sigh. "Stranger in This World" had me near tears, as did "Out of Fashion." As for "Talk Amongst Yourselves", I doubt I could do Liz McCartney justice. I could've sworn Euan Morto was George, and only a look at the playbill convinced me otherwise. As for George himself... Just listen to "Ich Bin Kunst". It's his character in a nutshell. Overall, a Grade A kick-a$$ performance.