If there is one thing I love, it’s a great album by an Australian music theatre artist, or, better yet, an Australian cast recording. Getting funding for these items is usually like keeping a snowman alive year round in Port Douglas, sadly that’s why we see so few of these fabulous creations and usually hear even less about them. While the big music labels are usually more than happy to sign Australian theatre stars and pump out an album, the marketing budget is usually contemptible at best and the albums are rarely re-printed. Worse, the performers usually don’t make terribly much back on them.
These sad facts aside, over the last decade or so, there have been some truly exceptional albums released by Australian music theatre performers and the musicians/musical directors who love them. To keep them in mind and in order, here’s a shortlist of some of the must have albums, both cast recordings, compilation albums and solo artist albums relating to the music theatre industry. All of them were released post 2000 and I’ve made a point of steering clear of albums that are basically music theatre stars singing their greatest hits. Let’s be blunt – they are usually a giant snore. Hence that insulting music shop category: “easy listening!” UGH!
So no “easy listening” here! These are thirteen truly sensational albums containing some of the pre-eminant talent in the Australian music theatre and cabaret industry – in absolutely no particular order…
Rhonda Burchmore Live at Melbourne Recital Hall
This album has long lived on the most played list of my iPod. One of the most distinctive vocalists in the Australia music theatre, the great Rhonda Burchmore enters the realm of the legendary on this album with a stunning live performance. An enraptured crowd at the Melbourne Recital Hall go wild in that polite and very Australian way in the background as Rhonda struts her way through a fantastic set list ranging from some hard-core blues through her usual mix of jazz, standards and showstoppers. A flawless vocalist, Burchmore’s full bag of tricks is on display in this album and, backed by a full orchestra, she lifts the roof of multiple times. Highlights include “The Star Medley”, “Peel Me a Grape” and a fire and brimstone cover of “Stormy Weather.” This album is available on iTunes here.
Underbelley Razor Soundtrack (Ft. Pippa Grandison & Rob Mills)
Though this is not a music theatre album by any ways or means, the Underbelley Razor soundtrack features the vocal talents of two of the music theatre’s most popular stars, Pippa Grandison and Rob Mills. A 2 album set, the second CD features Millsy getting his crooner on while Pippa performs some absolutely spectacular covers of some of Australia’s most beloved pop songs. Arranged to suit the jazzy bluesy scene of the Darlinghurst underworld of the 1930’s and 40’s, these songs are orchestrated with spectacular cunning. Grandison in particular raises the bar here with her phenomenal tone bringing new life to songs like “The Nips Are Getting Bigger” (Mental as Anything) and “The Boys Light Up” (Australian Crawl). Pippa, if you’re reading this, I’d absolutely pay to see a show which was nothing but you singing jazzified punk covers! Millsy – whose character was killed off in the series – croons his way cheekily through the standards “Ain’t She Sweet” and “Putting on the Style.” This album is available to download on iTunes while you can order a hardcopy from JB HiFi.
Life’s a Circus – Original Australian Cast Recording
An original Australian cast recording of an original Australian musical is a rare and beautiful thing. Life’s a Circus, with music and lyrics by Anthony Costanzo, is a curious affair but my gods it’s a spectacular listen! Set bizarrely in a circus on tour through south east Asia, Life’s a Circus involves a Love Triangle between two acrobats and a clown and features an especially stunning performance from Chelsea Plumley in the female lead. Costanzo’s themes are brash and his lyrics way too on the nose, but his score has razzle dazzle and a solid musical theatre sensibility. Though the orchestrations are paired down, the album as a whole is very well presented. The cast work hard to sell their characters – all of whom are basically too gay to function anywhere but within a musical. Highlights include “I Love This Show” and the gratuitous show stopper “Fly Away.” This album is available on iTunes and you can order a hard copy through Middle 8 Music.
Betty’s Blokkbuster Follies (Reg Livermore)
Living Legend Reg Livermore truly broke the mold. His spectacular entertainment career saw him star in multiple shows but also create many of his won. Unquestionably the most infamous was his risqué Betty’s Blok Buster Follies – a sensational and scandalous revue. Part drag, part cabaret, part theatre and all Reg, this show was performed decades ago and was unavailable until a recent re-release on CD and digital download and (gods be praised!!) a DVD of the original production brought it all back to life. The show is screamingly funny and Mr Livermore himself is on fire on this album which features a spectacularly eclectic range of songs from a number of genres. Easily one of the most talented show man ever to come out of Australia, it is truly a great loss to our cultural history that some of Reg’s other albums have not been re-mastered and re-released. Grab this one while it’s still in print on iTunes or on hard copy through JB HiFi.
Compositions (Tyran Parke)
To be aware of Tyran Parke as an artist is to be obsessed with his work. The man writes a spectacular cabaret and is without question one of the finest interpreters of a song in the business right now. Throw in his matinee idol tone and irrepressible on stage persona and you have the whole package. Compositions is a stunning collection of songs written specifically for Tyran by some of the world and Australia’s greatest composers. Standards, ballads, showstoppers, comic numbers and anthems – and all created to match a series of pictures by Tyran’s brother, award winning photographer Trent Parke – Compositions is a once in a lifetime creative achievement. Stunningly orchestrated and spectacularly vocalized by Parke and a series of guests, highlights include “Colour My Life,” “End of the Future” and “Choose Happy.” This album is available through Middle 8 Music.
Hedwig and the Angry Inch – Original Australian Cast Recording
I remember listening to the OBC of Hedwig and then watching the movie and just not understanding the hype at all. A bit of routine schlock attempting to be something “edgy”… and then I saw the original Australian production starring iOta! If there has ever been a more extraordinary breakout performance in this country (except maybe Hilary Cole in Carrie) then I am yet see it. Sure iOta doesn’t do that much stage now, but this recording remains a stunning capture of his time with the Angry Inch. Vocally electrifying and right on the money with his performance, iOta captures everything this show and its extraordinary star need to be in spades. The album was made available on iTunes in 2007 and it can still be ordered through the shows (still active!) website in hard copy. Whether albums are still available or not is another question, but hey, for this album, it’s worth trying your luck!
Smoke and Mirrors – Original Australian Cast Recording
Two iOta shows made their way onto this list not just because I love iOta (I’m still trying to forgive him for being in The Great Gatsby instead of more musicals!), this recording just needs to be here. If you missed the extensive tours of Smoke and Mirrors and the cable TV recording then you truly did miss one of the most remarkable original Australian works ever set on a stage… or in a tent. But who’s counting. The show features material by iOta and Craig Iliot and performances by Wayne Scott Kermond, Kali Retallick and Timothy Woon, while Queenie van der Zandt’s performance of “Candy Land” from this show is unquestionably the stuff of legend. This album has never been available for commercial sale, but rather was on offer at venues while the show was on tour. The show itself remains a lost icon while this album is unquestionably the collectors-item of the last decade for the Australian music theatre. If anyone knows where I can find it ***please*** tell me!!!
Mary Poppins – Original Australian Cast Recording
I often take issue with how Disney does business. Being backed by the billion dollar financial portfolio of the mouse gives you something of an unfair advantage when it comes to the musical theatre. Though Australia seldom sees the Disney flop musicals, the company is effectively flop-proof they have so much cash for advertising. No matter the show, they can hype it to a fever pitch. Fortunately with their star studded production of Mary Poppins, the hype was justified. An incredible cast headed by Verity Hunt Ballard and Matt Lee and including living legends Marina Prior, Judi Connelli and Debra Byrne were fortunate enough to record this fabulous live album while at the Maj in Melbourne. It’s an excellent capture of what can be a fairly naff musical. The skill of the performances on offer keeps this musical very much alive while also displaying some truly fantastic Australian talent. Highlights include “Practically Perfect,” “Brimstone and Treacle” and “Being Mrs Banks.” This album is available… pretty much everywhere!
Songs in the Key of Black (Lucy Maunder)
Lucy Maunder has had, for all intents and purposes, a charmed career thus far. Hitting the ground running straight out of WAAPA, she has since starred in a spectacular series of shows and has now unquestionably become “the” character actress of her generation. This album demonstrates why. Lucy Maunder’s first one woman show, a Berlin revue – sans ego, sans everything but adoration for the music! – display not only a marvelous vocalist, but also an actress coming into the height of her powers. A formidable presence on and off stage, here Maunder tackles some of the greatest standards ever written and makes them all unquestionably her own. If you missed Songs in the Key of Black Live, there’s no excuse for you to miss the album. A stellar debut by one of the brightest young stars in the Australian music theatre, this is a defining work of cabaret and an all round spectacular album to boot. Highlights include “Yiddishe Nightingale,” “How Deep is the Ocean” and “I Love a Piano.” This album is available on iTunes.
Show Queen Sessions: Live at the Supper Club
Who else misses Trevor Ashley’s Show Queen? Staged at the Supper Club on Sydney’s Ocford Street, hosted by Trashley himself and featuring some of Australia’s finest performers live – who wouldn’t miss Show Queen! So many Sunday’s of raucous drinking to fabulous cabaret performances to remember, and for a leg up in doing so, why not buy the albums? Two Live at the Supper Club albums were recorded during the first two series of Show Queen Cabarets. Featuring performances from Margi de Ferranti, David Harris, James Millar, Amelia Cormick, Shaun Rennie, Mitchell Butel, Lucy Maunder, Phil Scott, Natalie Gamsu and of course Trashley himself, these albums are a virtual treasure trove. Featuring everything from musical theatre standards to comedy rag and pop covers, these are a guaranteed win for any fan of live performance. Both albums are available to order from Middle 8 Music while the first album only is available to download from iTunes.
The Hatpin – Original Australian Cast Recording
The Hatpin was birthed into a world of controversy. Arriving in the midst of the scandalous Kookaburra years and featuring Peter Cousens in the cast, it has somehow been tainted by the same brush as the ill-fated national musical theatre company even though it was an unrelated venture. Written by Peter Rutherford and James Millar, The Hatpin is the Anyone Can Whistle of the original Australian musicals of the 21st century. A dark and cynical look at the life of the working class in late 19th century Sydney, The Hatpin made an effort to tell a very dark story with a level of emotional honesty unusual for an Australian musical. Though it failed to successfully convert to the genre, it left a lasting impression and unquestionably remains one of the most memorable and influential musicals of its generation. The cast recording includes performances by Caroline O’Connor, Michelle Doake, Melle Stewart, Gemma-Ashley Caplan, Tyran Parke and Barry Crocker. The album is available on iTunes and through Middle 8 Music.
Both Sides Now (Marina Prior)
This album is a no brainer for this list. Marina Prior has a large discography for a music theatre performer with multiple studio albums and compilations and even a DVD now over her most recent national tour. The Prior is a formidable performer live and in the studio, and Both Sides Now is one of her best albums to date. Featuring some of Marina’s own favourite songs, most of them pop songs from the 60′s through to the 80′s. It’s a versatile album, beautifully orchestrated and presented and immaculately sung. Released almost two years ago now, its success resulted in a kind of Prior revival with the release of three new albums following in short order. What can I say – The Prior knows how to sell an album tour! Hightlights of Both Sides now include “The Man With the Child in His Eyes,” “River” and “Killer Queen.” The album is available on iTunes and through JB HiFi.
Liza on an E Live in Sydney (Trevor Ashley)
Those of you unlucky enough to miss Trevor Ashley live as Liza Minnelli have been sent a reprieve. After years of speculation, Trashley finally released this live album of the show in January this year! Bombastic, bold, brassy, hilarious – and deadly, deadly clever, Trevor Ashley’s Liza Minnelli is a creation so epic you wouldn’t believe such a person was real at all! But Liza is real alright, and this isn’t that show where the firstborn of Garland and Minnelli gets laughed at. Tender, irreverent and blisteringly witty, Liza on an E falls on just the right side of cheeky parody. It’s a masterwork of impersonation, drag and musicianship and a solid gold listen. No highlights included – just listen! It’s brilliant! The album is available on iTunes here.
Amazon Woman (Queenie van de Zandt)
This final album is a curiosity. Absolutely not a music theatre album, it still comes from one of the most talented and popular music theatre and cabaret stars in Australia – Queenie van de Zandt. A self penned album is not common for a music theatre performer – but then is there anything that Queenie can’t do? This album, arranged by Andrew Worboys, is a spectacular piece of musicianship and a genuinely fascinating album to boot. Queenie, vocally is on fire, giving her usual pound of soul to every single song in the track list. She also proves conclusively that she knows how to write a damn fine song into the bargain. Ranging from ballads and gospel to rock anthems and even afro-beats, Queenie pushes the parcel with confidence and pizaz. It’s a crime against art that this is her lone album! Highlights include “Tonight,” “Can’t Get Over You” and “Confusions of Distance.” The album is available on iTunes.
TBA
And finally, a bit of industry gossip with a super secret UNANNOUNCED ALBUM!!!!! Rumour has it that a new Australian cast recording is coming that will unquestionably be the must have item of 2014. I won’t spill the beans. Every new cast recording deserves its big announcement day. Eitherway, it’s going to be big and I can’t wait to review it – and no, it’s not Shane Warne the Musical. Think a little closer to home. Damn! I’ve already said too much. Just get your VISA cards ready.
Diva Knows Best
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