Fame, the "Original" still owns the crown. Believeable, young, strong and all true representatives of musical theater. Not "just" actors.
I was just in grade school when the original Fame motion picture came out. I can never forget Irene Cara and how raw the entire cast seemed to be. Completely innocent, but all so talented. All about passion and not aware of the nasty world that lurks behind the dream roles and parts they are running after. All well accomplished in the casting and portrayed impeccably.
And many years after, a remake comes along. Tries to duplicate, if not surpass what was achieved what I confidently can say is "history" in film. If truth be told, it would have been better if the film was left alone on its pedestal really.
This remake's attempt to copy or do better was seriously suicide. Fame has reached heights that even the most seasoned artists would probably be worried to touch it for Fame is and will always remain, the best original version of itself. Leave it alone.
Here's why.
The cd opens with ambient music, sound effects, voices and instruments regularly heard and seen in halls of auditions and music colleges. What's the point really?
Then it is followed by a horrendously arranged version of Fame that completely strips the main character of her innocence there is no point following the film anymore since the music does not introduce the character properly.
The version sounds so electronic and constipated it sounds like a production number of a girl group in tight leather outfits, kinky hair dancing on motorcycles. A version so tacky it's like a night club opening night.
The inclusion of the song Ordinary People was a nice idea but couldn't another song have been better? Maybe it's just me but it frustrates me to hear such a wimpy voice doing a soulful song that should make one stop and listen. Seriously, My cat has more character in her voice that this Asher Book.
Again, unfortunately, it suffers comparison to the original and contributes to the listeners frustration of wanting to hear version that just tears one away from whatever they are doing. This version sadly ends up just like another karaoke version that's better off as background music. Also, the jump in the middle from the verse to the bridge was so badly done I thought the CD skipped! Hello?
Given that I was beginning to get so frustrated with the CD, I became so curious about Naturi Naughton's interpretation of the character in Out Here On My Own I skipped all the tracks initially just to see how deeply she felt for the character.
The song opens quite similar to the original only keys higher. However, once it reaches the second verse, she starts to sing too outwards that there was just too much freedom given by the music director so much meaning in the song is lost and not communicated.
As a soliloquy, this song of self doubt is supposed to be about going inside and finding that happy place to calm herself. Everything should be inward and quiet. So, why the outburst? Trying to hard is she?
Irene Cara in the original soundtrack had the perfect temperament for the
character and sings each number just right that one does not see a singer or Irene Cara but instead, just the character. Exactly how each role should be attacked. I guess the problem with young singers nowadays is all they care about is
showcasing their voices and ranges they forget to stay in character.
And so we now go to Megan Mullaly. The one voice in this soundtrack that truly captures the listener. A master at characterization and a seasoned stage
actress, one can see that she has the amazing pipes to whip out a great performance but gives more importance to character. The result, she stands out as the best in the soundtrack. She only has one solo in the CD, but boy does she outsing everyone.
And lastly, as if it wasn't enough, Asher Book is yet given another solo, and this time a most respected song - Someone To Watch Over Me. A song originally written for Oh, Kay! by George and Ira Gershwin, this is a song that again should not have been assigned to this singer.
Asher fails miserably yet again and seriously is almost laughable for the song, purposely written simply calls for so much emotion and character. The play of words and how one uses them to drive giggles from the listener. To make them sigh and listen to each line, must be accomplished, for if not, ends up a completely boring version.
As such, the version ends up as boring as the singer. Tsk... Tsk...
I wish I could speak well of this soundtrack really, but it would not be fair to those who wish to purchase it. If you already have the original soundtrack with Irene Cara, stick to it. There is absolutely nothing that this version brings forward, except for the outstanding Megan Mullaly. Film wise, it's all
just about new faces, but nothing can beat the original.
Fame, the "Original" still owns the crown. Believeable, young, strong and all true representatives of musical theater. Not "just" actors.
Artist: 2009 Motion Picture Soundtrack Cast
Album: Fame (2009 Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Original Release Date: August 2009
Discs: 1
Label: Decca Records
Track Listing:
1. Welcome To P.A. (Raney Shockne)
2. Fame (Naturi Naughton)
3. Big Things (Anjulie
4. Ordinary People (Asher Book
5. This Is My Life (Hopsin, Ak'Sent, Tynisha Keli & Donte "Burger" Winston
6. Out Here On My Own (Naturi Naughton
7. Street Hustlin' (Raney Shockne featuring Stella Moon
8. You'll Find A Way (Switch & Sinden Remix) (Santigold)
9. Can't Hide From Love (Naturi Naughton & Collins Pennie)
10. Black & Gold (Sam Sparro)
11. Back To Back (Collins Pennie featuring Ashleigh Haney)
12. I Put A Spell On You (Raney Shockne featuring Eddie Wakes)
13. Get On The Floor (Naturi Naughton & Collins Pennie)
14. Try (Asher Book)
15. You Took Advantage Of Me (Megan Mullally)
16. Too Many Women (Damon Elliott Remix) (Rachael Sage)
17. Someone To Watch Over Me (Asher Book)
18. You Made Me Love You (Raney Shockne featuring Oren Waters)
19. Hold Your Dream (Naturi Naughton, Asher Book, Kay Panabaker)
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