The Rent soundtrack with the original Broadway cast is one of my favorite CDs and I wondered how the soundtrack to the film version was going to compare. Many of the same voices have returned, but I wondered how their voices would hold up compared to their younger selves. No question, the new Rent soundtrack CD is great too. And different enough, that I am glad I own both the Broadway and the film soundtrack.
I think the biggest difference, and one that does have me concerned about the film, is the lack of a lot of material from the Broadway version. The Rent is a rock opera and the Broadway soundtrack demonstrates this. Most of the show is sung like the opening number Tune Up #1 and the Voice Mail interludes. These are missing from the film soundtrack CD. I am wondering if they decided the movie will be a more tradition musical with songs coming out of the dialogue, rather than dialogue being sung. Also, the movie must be structured somewhat differently because when Tom sings Today 4 You, he refers to Christmas Day instead of Christmas Eve.
I think the biggest difference, and one that does have me concerned about the film, is the lack of a lot of material from the Broadway version. The Rent is a rock opera and the Broadway soundtrack demonstrates this. Most of the show is sung like the opening number Tune Up #1 and the Voice Mail interludes. These are missing from the film soundtrack CD. I am wondering if they decided the movie will be a more tradition musical with songs coming out of the dialogue, rather than dialogue being sung. Also, the movie must be structured somewhat differently because when Tom sings Today 4 You, he refers to Christmas Day instead of Christmas Eve.
On the plus side, all the voices sound terrific, which I guess shouldn’t be that surprising. It’s not as if Anthony Rapp, Adam Pascal and Idina Menzel haven’t proven sing. Rosario Dawson seems a little light on Light My Candle, but by Out Tonight, she is going strong. And I didn’t think it would be possible for Jesse L. Martin to be any more heartbreaking during I’ll Cover You from the Broadway sountrack, but he is. His voice is incredible.
Also, the instrumental aspect of the music is a lot fuller. In many of the songs, it sounds like there are more instruments being used, which is entirely possible given that it was recorded in a studio.
Overall, I have to say that this CD has whetted my appetite for the movie. I forewarned that it won’t be exactly like the show, but I prepared and am looking forward to judging on its own merits.
Also, the instrumental aspect of the music is a lot fuller. In many of the songs, it sounds like there are more instruments being used, which is entirely possible given that it was recorded in a studio.
Overall, I have to say that this CD has whetted my appetite for the movie. I forewarned that it won’t be exactly like the show, but I prepared and am looking forward to judging on its own merits.
Track Listings
Disc: 11. Seasons of Love – Joanne, Collins, & Cast
2. Rent – Mark, Roger, Collins, Benny & Tenants (including Mimi and Angel)
3. You'll See – Roger, Mark & Benny
4. One Song Glory – Roger
5. Light My Candle – Roger & Mimi
6. Today 4 U – Collins, Angel & Mark
7. Tango: Maureen – Joanne & Mark
8. Life Support – Gordon, Roger, Steve & Cast
9. Out Tonight – Mimi
10. Another Day – Roger, Mimi, Collins, Mark & Angel
11. Will I – Steve, Gordon & Cast
12. Santa Fe – Roger, Mark, Angel & Collins
13. I'll Cover You – Angel & Collins
14. Over The Moon – Maureen
Disc: 2
1. La Vie Boheme – Cast
2. I Should Tell You – Roger & Mimi
3. La Vie Boheme B – Mimi, Mark, Angel, Collins, Maureen, Joanne & Roger
4. Seasons of Love B – Cast
5. Take Me or Leave Me – Maureen & Joanne
6. Without You – Mimi & Roger
7. I'll Cover You (reprise) – Collins, Joanne & Cast
8. Halloween – Mark
9. Goodbye Love – Mimi, Roger, Benny, Maureen, Joanne, Mark & Collins
10. What You Own – Roger & Mark
11. Finale A – Mimi & Roger
12. Your Eyes – Roger
13. Finale B – Cast
14. Love Heals – Cast (This is a bonus track of a song Jonathan Larson wrote for – the Allison Gertz Foundation for AIDS education.)
Cast
Mimi Marquez – Rosario DawsonBenjamin “Benny” Coffin III – Taye Diggs
Angel Shunard – Wilson Jermaine Heredia
Thomas B. “Tom” Collins – Jesse L. Martin
Maureen Johnson – Indina Menzel
Roger Davis – Adam Pascal
Mark Cohen – Anthony Rapp
Joanne Jefferson – Tracie Toms