Closer to Heaven (Original Cast Recording)

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Reliving the best moments of 2001's most innovative West End musical, the Closer to Heaven soundtrack is a strange but unique mix of old and new. Jointly written by the Pet Shop Boys and Beautiful Thing writer Jonathan Harvey, the tale is set in a nightclub, and follows the romantic flings and brushes with fame of club barman Dave. Peppered with familiar but rejigged PSB B-sides ("Shameless" and "Hedonism") and album tracks ("In Denial," "Vampires," and "Closer to Heaven", all taken from 1999's Nightlife), the soundtrack also contains some newer music. Performance favorite "Call Me Old-Fashioned," sung by band manager Bob Saunders (Paul Broughton), is a classic Pet Shop Boys Euro-beat anthem. Much-loved track "Positive Role Model" closes the soundtrack, and incorporates samples of Barry White's "You're the First..." in a dance floor melée. While the musical and lyrical compositions typically complement Jonathan Harvey's stage play, the performance of some of the group's more familiar songs by others is rather disconcerting; the replacement of Neil Tennant's familiar deadpan presentation with the cast's occasional music hall exuberance and theatrical hamminess is at times challenging. Overall, however, this collection will surprise and delight fans of the Pet Shop Boys and provide relief for those who didn't (or did) manage to see Closer to Heaven. --John Galilee

Customer Reviews:

a voice teacher and early music fan.......2007-02-09

'The HYMN-a word derived from the Greek 'hymnos'-has been defined as 'a term of unknown origin applied from ancient times to a wide variety of songs in honor of gods, heroes or notable men.'
The founder of English hymnody is Isaac Watts (1674-1748), whose work in reforming congregational song texts culminated in the publication of his 'Hymns and Spiritual Songs' in 1707. Watts' collection was as complete and comprehensive a set of hymns as had ever been proposed for English worship and it raised the profile of the hymn sufficiently to overcome the prevailing psalmody. The great flowering period of English hymnody began with the work of the Methodist hymn-writers John Wesley (1703-1791) and his brother Charles (1707-1788). The Wesleys gave great prominence to hymns within their Methodist worship and published many books.
The modern hymn book is a collection of hymns drawn from various times and places. This most accomplished recording by St. Paul's Cathedral Choir presents 16 well-loved hymns from 'The New English Hymnal'. A great number of the hymns, which originate from many different eras and traditions, are given an extra musical dimension by John Scott's original descants and thrilling brass arrangements.
Over the years, I have found myself purchasing mostly the recordings of English choirs. They seem to have incredible vocal skills, perfectly executed phrases, flawless diction and some unidentifiable ingredient that makes them very appealing to hear. Of course, I personally enjoy the all male choirs sound; boy sopranos and male altos make the difference. This is a very appealing group of hymns!!!!!

Hymns for every one.......2002-12-01

As I have said already..I am from espiscopal church..these my songs are well know by me...these songs give encouragement when it seems that all hope is lost..these are tunes that are well received....they are also very simple for the every day person to gain strength from day to day..they will become your daily prayer.....

Super Praise!.......2000-06-10

Praise The Lord offers the listener traditional hymns in the English/British tradition. the clarity of the voices make it possible for the listener to follow the words distinctly. The organ soars as accompaniment. the CD provides organ and choral quality for the novice and the experienced musician.

Average customer rating:

The picture

100 Hymns & Songs of Inspiration

Manufacturer: Castle Music UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00008GEKT
Release Date: 2003-04-14

Tracks:

Love Divine All Loves Excelling - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
Father Hear the Prayer We Offer - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
Now Thank We All Our God - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
This Day, The First of Days - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
Stars of the Morning So Gloriously Bright - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
God Save the Queen - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
Day of Resurrection - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
God Rest You Merry Gentlemen - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
Of the Father's Heart Begotten - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
O Come All Ye Faithful - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
Awake My Soul and With the Sun - Choir Of Norwich Cathedral
Thine Arm O Lord in Days of Old - Choir Of Norwich Cathedral
All People That on Earth Do Dwell - Choir Of Norwich Cathedral
Good Christian Men Rejoice and Sing - Choir Of Norwich Cathedral
There Is a Green Hill - Choir Of Norwich Cathedral
Lord of Beauty - Choir Of Sheffield Cathedral
Rejoice Today With One Accord - Choir Of Sheffield Cathedral
New Every Morning - Choir Of Sheffield Cathedral
Lead Us Heavenly Father Lead Us - Choir Of Sheffield Cathedral
O God Our Help in Ages Past - Choir Of Sheffield Cathedral

Tracks:

Morning Has Broken - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
Happy Are They - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
In Christ There Is No East or West - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
Silent Night - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
Be Thou My Guardian - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
Ye Servants of the Lord - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
At the Name of Jesus Every Knee Shall Bow - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
To Thee O Lord Our Hearts We Raise - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
Behold the Great Creator Makes - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
Rejoice the Lord Is King - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
Creator of the Stars of Night - Ely Cathedral Choir
He Comes With Clouds Descending - Ely Cathedral Choir
O Little Town of Bethlehem - Ely Cathedral Choir
Alleluya Alleyluya Alleyluya - Ely Cathedral Choir
This Is the Day the Lord Hath Made - Ely Cathedral Choir
How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds - Ely Cathedral Choir
Lord Thy Word Abideth - Ely Cathedral Choir
Jesus Lord We Look to Thee - Ely Cathedral Choir
O Lord Our God Arise - Ely Cathedral Choir
Lord of All Hopefulness - Ely Cathedral Choir

Tracks:

Soldiers of Christ Arise - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
Lift Up Your Hearts - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
Holy Father, Cheer Our Way - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
Maker of the Sun - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
O King Most High - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
O Praise Our Great and Glorious Lord - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
Forgive Our Sins as We Forgive - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
We Love the Place O God - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
Let Us With a Gladsome Mind - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
Give Rest O Christ - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
Come Holy Ghost Our Hearts Inspire - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
O Thou in All Thy Might So Far - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
O Christ, Who Art the Light and Day - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
O God Thy Soldiers' Crown and Guard - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
Strife Is O'er the Battle Done - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
O Christ Our Hope, Our Hearts' Desire - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
Jesus Shall Reign - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
God of Love My Shepherd Is - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
O Jesu Saviour of Mankind - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
Immortal Invisible God Only Wise - Choir Of Truro Cathedral

Tracks:

Ride on Ride on in Majesty - Choir Of All Saints - Margaret Street, London
All Glory Laud and Honour - Choir Of All Saints - Margaret Street, London
Come Rejoicing - Choir Of All Saints - Margaret Street, London
God Is Love and Where True Love Is - Choir Of All Saints - Margaret Street, London
Magnificat: The Great Advent Antiphons - Choir Of All Saints - Margaret Street, London
Come, Christ's Beloved - Choir Of All Saints - Margaret Street, London
Children of the Hebrews (Palm Procession) - Choir Of All Saints - Margaret Street, London
Veneration of the Cross/The Reproaches (Veneratum and Reproaches) - Choir Of All Saints - Margaret Street, London
Once in Royal David's City - Choir Of Keble College
God Be in My Head - Choir Of Keble College
O Thou Who Camest from Above - Choir Of Keble College
Judge Eternal Throned in Splendour - Choir Of St Edmunsbury Cathedral
Christ the Lord Is Risen Again - Choir Of St Edmunsbury Cathedral
For All the Saints - Choir Of St Edmunsbury Cathedral
Thy Hand O God Has Guided - Choir Of St Edmunsbury Cathedral
Christ the Dawn of Our Salvation - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
I Was Glad - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
Dear Lord and Father of Mankind - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
Locus Iste - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
Praise My Soul the King of Heaven - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel

Tracks:

Stand Up! Stand Up for Jesus! - The Choir of the Abbey School, Tewkesbury
While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks - The Choir of the Abbey School, Tewkesbury
O Worship the King - The Choir of the Abbey School, Tewkesbury
O Heavenly Word of God on High - Choir Of The Collegiate Church Of St Mary
Praise to the Lord, The Almighty - Choir Of The Collegiate Church Of St Mary
Jesus Christ Is Risen Today - The Choir of York Minister
First Nowell - The Choir of York Minister
Abide with Me - The Choir of York Minister
Breathe on Me Breath of God - Choir Of Keble College
Rock of Ages - Choir Of Keble College
On This Day, The First of Days - Choir Of Keble College
Jesu Sweet and Mary - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
O Quam Gloriosum - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
Ye Holy Angels Bright - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
O for a Closer Walk With God - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
Prayer of St Patrick - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
Lord's Prayer - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
Blessed Be the God and Father - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
Day Thou Gavest Lord Is Ended - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
Jerusalem (And Did Those Feet in Ancient Times) - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel

Album Description

Full Title - 100 Hymns & Songs Of Inspiration. UK box-set featuring 100 tracks performed by Britain's finest Cathedral Choirs including, Gloucester Cathedral, Norwich Cathedral, Sheffield Cathedral, & many more. Five standard jewel cases housed in a slipbox. Castle Pulse. 2003.

Customer Reviews:

The picture.......2006-12-11

I haven't purchased the CD but the picture of the inside of a church on the cover is not of a British church, like one would assume since it says its a recording of British choirs. This picture is of Notre Dame Basilica in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Just thought i'd let you know. I'll be honest; I'm one to judge things by it's cover and if the company took such care to choose a 'British' church for their British choir CD, I'm willing to bet the music is equally well selected... I'm being sarcastic. But I gave the product 5 stars because I didn't want to hurt its ratings just because i'm cynical. But check out the church if you're ever in Montreal, it's truly beautiful... here I'm not being sarcastic.

Average customer rating:

Interesting CD -- No PSB vocals
It's just a little tribute
Absolutely FABULOUS!
Boys return to former glories
It's the Pet Shop Boys, Sweetie!

Closer to Heaven
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Sony International
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Fundamental

ASIN: B00005RDD4
Release Date: 2002-01-22

Tracks:

My Right
Something Special
Closer to Heaven - Shell,
In Denial - Vic & Janette
Call Me Old-Fashioned
Nine Out of Ten - Shell,
It's Just My Little Tribute to Caligula, Darling!
Hedorism [Instrumental]
Friendly Fire
Shameless
Vampires - Vic & Janette
Closer to Heaven
Out of My System - Shell
K-Hole [Instrumental]
For All of Us
Closer to Heaven
Positive Role Model

Amazon.com

Reliving the best moments of 2001's most innovative West End musical, the Closer to Heaven soundtrack is a strange but unique mix of old and new. Jointly written by the Pet Shop Boys and Beautiful Thing writer Jonathan Harvey, the tale is set in a nightclub, and follows the romantic flings and brushes with fame of club barman Dave. Peppered with familiar but rejigged PSB B-sides ("Shameless" and "Hedonism") and album tracks ("In Denial," "Vampires," and "Closer to Heaven", all taken from 1999's Nightlife), the soundtrack also contains some newer music. Performance favorite "Call Me Old-Fashioned," sung by band manager Bob Saunders (Paul Broughton), is a classic Pet Shop Boys Euro-beat anthem. Much-loved track "Positive Role Model" closes the soundtrack, and incorporates samples of Barry White's "You're the First..." in a dance floor melée. While the musical and lyrical compositions typically complement Jonathan Harvey's stage play, the performance of some of the group's more familiar songs by others is rather disconcerting; the replacement of Neil Tennant's familiar deadpan presentation with the cast's occasional music hall exuberance and theatrical hamminess is at times challenging. Overall, however, this collection will surprise and delight fans of the Pet Shop Boys and provide relief for those who didn't (or did) manage to see Closer to Heaven. --John Galilee

Customer Reviews:

Interesting CD -- No PSB vocals.......2007-03-09

I'm a big PSB fan so had to have this CD. Its good -- has the true PSB sound -- but no Neil Tenant vocals. If you are a big fan -- you should buy it. If you are an admirer of Neil's vocals only -- take a pass.

It's just a little tribute.......2005-11-15

At first I didn't even know that this CD was a musical. My best friend brought it over from Britain in 01. I didn't even know the name of it because I looked at the cover once. It's needless to say that I immediately fell in love with it.

Then someone broke into his car and stole that CD. He was devastated. From that moment on I started to look for it knowing that one day I would find it and surprise him with it.

Problem was though that no one seemed to know about that little CD with the red heart on it. You know, the one with that "Caligula song" in it by the Pet Shop Boys.

About 1 month ago I was on the Internet when I tried the last resort. I typed the words Caligula Darling into a well-known search engine. Needless to say "Closer to heaven" came up on Amazon.com. There it was! The red heart. The CD!!!

I can't believe I didn't think of this earlier. But as all things happen for a reason. The timing couldn't have been more perfect.

I ordered it right away. It came in surprisingly fast. I was as giddy as a 9 year old.

His 40th birthday is coming up this weekend and as an added bonus I even mixed up the dance tracks into a 20-minute mega mix :-). It pays to be a DJ :-)

Now I am glad that I didn't find it earlier. It's the perfect present!!!

It's just my little tribute to my best friend (who shall remain nameless). To him who made it possible for me to go to Australia Darling! Where we danced like vampires in front of the Sydney opera house at the most amazing party EVER!

Now buy the CD it's great!

Absolutely FABULOUS!.......2003-03-01

I haven't even finished listening to all of it, and from what I've heard, I'm in love with it! A new twist on some of the PSB's songs, such as In Denial? Very awesome. Not to mention, I don't know of any musicals that are SO upbeat! I'm tempted to watch the musical, I'm sure it's awesome, but I love this CD... Even if you aren't a fan of PSB, or haven't even heard of them, but love soft club music, I'm sure you'll love it. I recommend it to someone who is looking into trying out listening to something different and cool! :) PSB never stop amazing me, lemme tell you ^_^

Boys return to former glories.......2002-06-26

Living in Australia, the existence of this musical took a while to travel to me. This meant that I purchased "Closer to Heaven" at the same time as "Release". In my opinion Closer to Heaven is the album which Release should have been.

The Pet Shop Boys (my joint favourite band along with New Order) appear to have been playing down their dance music roots on their recent albums. This is their most upbeat album since Bilingual. The sleeve notes indicate that this is Chris's determination that Closer to Heaven be a "Feel Good Musical".

A few of these tracks appear on the album "Nightlife", but the treatment here is sufficiently different for this not to detract, although PSB fans may find listening to songs they know sang by voices other than Neil strange at first.

My only complaint would be that the character played by Paul Broughton sounds very stereotyped (that grating Northern voice!).

Overall, though, this is a great Cd and has been on "heavy rotation" since it arrived. It has also inspired the rediscovery of several other PSB albums from my collection.

I hope that that musical is revived and produced outside the UK`.

It's the Pet Shop Boys, Sweetie!.......2002-05-11

From what I understood by reading the liner notes on the CD, this musical may not have made in on the stage, though it was given rave reviews by Boy George, and that's a big thumbs up in my book. I thoroughly enjoyed this musical on the CD. The vocals are great and what little is given of the storyline is quite interesting. I dearly love just about everything the PSB's touch. I do hope they manage to mount a production in the United States. I would absolutely be there! Fabulous!

Average customer rating:

Closer to Heaven Pet Shop Boys
Cast-Original
Manufacturer: Msi Music Corp
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0002B6TZM
Release Date: 2002-08-26

Average customer rating:

Incredible
Bold, entertaining, lovely.

Closer to Heaven
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Sony International
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00005QX5K
Release Date: 2002-01-22

Tracks:

My Right
Something Special
Closer to Heaven - Shell,
In Denial - Vic & Janette
Call Me Old-Fashioned
Nine Out of Ten - Shell,
It's Just My Little Tribute to Caligula, Darling!
Hedorism [Instrumental]
Friendly Fire
Shameless
Vampires - Vic & Janette
Closer to Heaven
Out of My System - Shell
K-Hole [Instrumental]
For All of Us
Closer to Heaven
Positive Role Model

Album Description

Original cast recording for 2001 musical created by The Pet Shop Boys with Jonathan Harvey. Contains 11 compositions by the Pet Shop Boys.

Album Details

The Cast Album to the Hit Play Created by the Pet Shop Boys. A Big Hit on the West End!

Customer Reviews:

Incredible.......2005-09-15

An awesome CD. A great story, Great PSB music, and the incredble Billie Trix. A definate Must Have for any real PSB fan.

Bold, entertaining, lovely........2002-01-27

The PSB took a big risk with this one. Always the most theatrical and pretentious of dance groups, they collaborated with Jonathan Harvey to create a musical. The results: mostly wonderful.

Although I miss Neil's vocals, many of the vocal performances are quite good. The songs are excellent, and very much in the PSB style we all know and love. Big dance numbers ("Call Me Old Fashioned" and "A Positive Role Model") intermix with ballads (my personal favorites are "Something Special" and "Friendly Fire," with the latter being one of their greatest songs ever). Also, there are new versions of old songs: "Shameless," which doesn't sound too different; "Closer to Heaven," which is slower and moodier; and "In Denial," which has different lyrics.

For PSB fans, Heaven. For anyone else -- and particularly those not especially gay-friendly -- it may not go over very well. The interior booklet notes that the show received many bad reviews from older, established critics, but that younger critics tended to like it -- and it received a positive rave from Boy George.
Well, I agree with Mr. George; a few flaws notwithstanding, "Closer to Heaven" is a triumph.

Early Gospel FEATURING: Swan Silvertone Singers, The Clara Ward Singers, Reverend Gary Davis, Reverend Robert Wilkins, Moving Hall Star Singers, Chambers Brothers, Mississippi John Hurt, Odetta, Staples Singers, The Freedom Singers
Average customer rating:
Early Gospel FEATURING: Swan Silvertone Singers, The Clara Ward Singers, Reverend Gary Davis, Reverend Robert Wilkins, Moving Hall Star Singers, Chambers Brothers, Mississippi John Hurt, Odetta, Staples Singers, The Freedom Singers
Oh Mary Don't You Weep - Swan SILVERTone Singers / Jacob's Ladder - The Clara Ward Singers , Sampson & Delilah - Revrend Gary Davis / Something Got A Hold Of Me - The Clara Ward Singers , Just A Closer Walk With Thee - The Clara Ward Singers / I Wish I Was In Heaven Sitting Down - Reverend Robert Wilkins , See God's Ark A-Moving - Moving Hall Star Singers / I Got It - Chambers Brothers , Nearer My God To Thee - Mississippi John Hurt / He's Got The Whole World In The Hands - Odetta , I Wish I Had Answered - Staples Singers / Come By Here - The Clara Ward Singers , Since I've Laid My Burden Down - Mississippi John Hurt / I've Been In The Storm So Long - Moving Hall Star Singers , Pray On My Child - Staples Singers / I'm Getting Nearer - The Clara Ward Singers , Bye And Bye I Will See Jesus - Mississippi John Hurt / Feed Me Jesus - Swan Silvertone Sings , and Meetin' Tonight/This Little Light Of Mine - The Clara Ward Singers / We Shall Overcome - The Freedom Singers
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000QRTCXS

Closer to Heaven
Average customer rating:

Great Listening Experience!

Closer to Heaven

ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00004TA1R
Release Date: 2000-04-15