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The Scarlet Pimpernel: Encore!
New Broadway Cast
Starring Douglas Sills, Rachel York, and Rex Smith
Music by Frank Wildhorn
Lyrics by Nan Knighton
21 Tracks
Read my Synopsis of the show.
Let me begin by saying: I DO NOT OWN THIS CD.
There's a good reason for that. I already own the OBC of The Scarlet Pimpernel, and this is practically the same thing. I'm really not sure why they even bothered making it. This CD only has a few differences from the OBC, and they are sort of pointless. It doesn't even reflect half of the changes made to the songs! This CD has two songs recorded by Rachel York – "Storybook" and "I'll Forget You." It also has Rex Smith's versions of "Falcon in the Dive" and "Where's the Girl." All of the other songs are from the OBC, except for the two "bonus tracks" at the end – Linda Eder's version of "Only Love" and the Linda Eder/Peabo Bryson version of "You Are My Home."
Dunno about you, but I don't spend 17.99 on a CD that only has six new songs on it! I just downloaded the six songs for free from Audiogalaxy… hee hee.
To be fair, I do love Rachel York's versions of "Storybook" and "I'll Forget You." She has a really, really gorgeous voice. Rex Smith, I am not so crazy about. I feel he shouts too much. But I know a lot of people do like his portrayal of Chauvelin, so this is probably something you should decide for yourself.
I don't particularly care for Linda Eder's version of "Only Love," and I have no idea why. But I really don't like that version of "You Are My Home." The OBC version is soo much better it's not even funny. Mostly it's because I don't care for Peabo Bryson's voice at all, and I hate this song in a pop-style arrangement. Yuck.
Final verdict? I'd buy it only if you were A) a huge Rachel York or Rex Smith fan, or B) obsessed with owning absolutely everything associated with The Scarlet Pimpernel. You may want to pick it up if you actually saw York and Smith in SP:2 live, and want a memento or whatever. Your call. Otherwise I'd go for the OBC.
Also see my reviews of The Scarlet Pimpernel OBC, and Concept CDs.
