Hair - Actors' Fund of America Benefit Recording

A disclaimer - you'll probably have more fun with this recording if you think of it as "Songs from Hair". This is NOT a recording of a traditional version of the show; it's more a cabaret, with each song being sung by a different artist. While this completely removes continuity and character development, it does free up the listener to appreciate Galt MacDermot's music, sung as it should be. Let's face it - the original RCA recording of the Broadway cast of 1964 is priceless as an artifact of its time, but it's not exactly a pleasant listen - the cast is of the "more enthusiasm than talent" school.

Here, though, there's no such problem.

There's a whole lotta belting goin' on in this album. Because each singer only has one song, and there's no need to conserve their voices for later in the show, everybody gives it their all - and in the case of such powerful singers as Gavin Creel, Lillias White, Shoshana Bean, Raul Esparza, Adam Pascal, Eden Espinosa, Orfeh,...Read more

This is a magnificent version of HAIR, although listeners may not take to it instantly. There are differences in orchestration and in choral parts too. The trade-off is worthwhile, though. There are many improvements to RCA's landmark, somewhat airless, original cast album. You'll hear many songs that were deleted from the original recording, and the ssonics will blow you away.

The voices of the many Tony-winners here, especially Lillias White, are fabulous. The band is full of punch and the pieces very well-defined. Indeed, it is the revision of the work that brings it up-to-date. This version of HAIR belongs to this generation because of its unrestrained passion, laughter and anger, too.

All sales benefit the Actor's Fund of America, which is especially satisfying. Few organizations stand by performing artists through thick-and-thin in a comparable way.

Nothing will ever replace the RCA OCR, but if you love this musical, the present...Read more

I approached this recording with trepidation.

Everyone has grown up with HAIR. Everyone knows HAIR. Even if you think you don't, you do. So many of these songs have wormed their ways into pop culture that you'll be finding yourself wondering aloud (as I did the first time I heard the OBCR), woah, you mean that song is from a musical?

And, to be honest, after Broadway's hit-or-miss track record with revivals and "reinterpretations" lately, I was suspicious of a HAIR re-doing. Would the new arrangements sound too plastic? Would the cast even be able to recapture the hurt, anger and passion of the younger generation of 30 years ago?

Well, thankfully, my reservations went completely unrealized. This recording is a wonderful and refreshing take on a rather dated Broadway show.

The recording is clear and brilliant, the ensemble is pitch perfect, and the soloists sing until their throats bleed. The arrangements, when they differ with...Read more