Mary Poppins [Soundtrack]

This CD is a perfect example of the great job talented people can do when they decide to create something new based on existing material that is already perfect. Listen to the new versions of "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" or "Jolly Holiday" and you'll understand what I mean. The new "Step in Time" is much more intriguing than the film's original version. Pay attention to how skilfully George Stiles (music) and Anthony Drewe (lyrics) incorporate the whole idea of "A spoonful of sugar" into "Brimstone and Treacle". I'm sure P.L. Travers, the author of the original books, would have loved both this song and the musical confrontation between Mary Poppins and Miss Andrew. But of all the new songs, "Anything can happen" really stands out as the perfect finale. And the "Shooting Star" is such a moving coda to the play. And it perfectly captures the bitter-sweet feelings of Mary Poppins's departure as this was described by P.L. Travers in the last chapter of the third Mary Poppins book ("Mary Poppins Opens the Door").

I really liked the creative team's efforts to be more faithful to the original books than the film was. I agree with those who say that the stage show does more credit to Travers's heroine than the Walt Disney film--although both the film and the original score by Richard and Robert Sherman will remain perennial favourites of mine, and they deserve to be so!

The show's cast is superb. Laura Michelle Kelly is an ideal Mary Poppins. As Julie Andrews herself said some weeks ago, the future lies in her hands and she has to carry the torch from now on. And this is true for Gavin Lee as well.

So, as everybody else has said before me, both the show and the CD are practically perfect in every way, as Mary Poppins herself is. But, believe it or not, the CD could have been even better if one or two tracks had been added. For example, having seen the show twice already, I do miss the reprises of "Cherry Tree Lane" and "Practically Perfect" in Act Two, while "Let's Go Fly a Kite" seems to be incomplete without the musical bridge that leads smoothly to "Good for nothing" in the actual show. (Actually the reprise of "Cherry Tree Lane" is mentioned in Amazon's Track listing but it obviously didn't make it to the CD, probably because the CD might have been too long. But these additions would not have increased its duration too much). Well, I now sound like Mary Poppins in the original books who never seems to be quite satisfied. So, I repeat: it is a perfect CD (although I consulted my Thesaurus to find synonyms for "perfect", I've chosen to stick to this word throughout the review because I also want to remain faithful to the original book's language!)

I can't wait to read Brian Sibley's book about the making of the show which is due to appear in June. And I do hope a DVD about the making of the show will appear, too!

We all know (and love) the original songs, and 90% of them are included in this recording, but it's the additional material that makes this musical a work of genius. Hats off to George and Anthony for creating the new material which really helps flesh out Cameron's vision for the performance. Stand outs are "Practically Perfect" and "Temper Temper" - and "Anything can happen". The only one a bit hard on the ears is "Brimstone and Treacle" - but, in the fashion of "Temper Temper" (with a hint of the blasting pipe organ a la Phantom of the opera) it's meant to stand out of place within the original Sherman Brothers sound. Their additions to the original songs work very well, especially in "Jolly Holiday" with a glorious counterpoint section (just before a wonderfully jazzy end) at blending new and old material heard in the song. Some of the new lyrics are genius too: "To see a statue/dance like that you/can't beleive your eyes..." Also a well done to George Stiles for doing wonderful dance and vocal arrangements - something the composer rarely does nowadays.

As usual, with most of Cameron's productions, Bill Brohn's orchestrations are top notch. This recording is no exception, with a wonderful use of five pianos it really fleshes out the, already, large traditional broadway orchestra line up.

The cast is top notch, but every review will tell you that. The only slight dissapointing aspect is that David Haig's (Mr Banks)delightful rendition of "Supercala..." is not included on the CD. Generally, all the songs included in the show are there.

It is a shame that this CD is just not a film of the production, because the production is nothing other than a work of genius - but that's another review all together.

The recording certainly holds up to the show's reputation and will send you "soaring up through the atmosphere".

Enjoy!