Search - Jason Robert Brown :: Wearing Someone Elses Clothes

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Susan | New York, NY USA | 08/04/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Did Billy Joel and Joni Mitchell have a child and hire Stephen Sondheim as their nanny, or am I just listening to a Jason Robert Brown CD?



Jason is such a gifted tuneful storyteller. His music is rich and accessible, with just enough witty lyric twists to keep you gleefully guessing what he'll say next.



But the emotional moments on this disc are the ones that truly soar. They range from masterful anthems of longing and human connection as expressed by a full orchestra and choir, to quiet moments of introspection as told by a piano and a single vulnerable voice.



Yet there is no particular mood you need to be in to enjoy this CD. You can groove, laugh, feel slyly catty, reflect back, and look forward all in one play through.



And let me warn you, there won't be just one play through. Your friends and family will begin to wonder if you own any other CD's...and it doesn't matter if you do, this one is enough."

Jason Robert Brown in his element

John O'Brien | Indianapolis, IN United States | 07/01/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In this offering Mr. Robert Brown has given us a piece of his amazing self. More than in any of his previous works do we see Jason the man expressed through his music. For fans of this superb composer, this album is a pleasure of pure, emotionally stimulating music. Spanning a wide mix of styles including Country, Bluegrass, Musical Theatre (of course), Gospel, and even a bit of eighties electric guitar thrown in, the audience is treated to the brilliant and varied skill of Broadway's greatest hope (if it can ever stop trying so damn hard to make money). As a singer, Mr. Robert Brown has a different sound than the well-trained Broadway stars many of us are used to, but it is a clear, passionate, tender, and always fiercely invested voice. This album would be ambitious for any singer with so many different styles of singing incorporated, but Jason handles his Gospel trills as solidly as he does his amazing piano skills. We are even treated to some excellent scatting in "I'm in Bizness," which was actually recorded live at a recent concert that he did. Indeed, the avid fan of Jason Robert Brown's music will recognize many of these songs from previous live performances, etc. A couple of songs on the album deserve special attention. The title song seems like a jam session for "The Caucasion Rhythm Kings," with an all out fun number that reminds one of a lazy Saturday afternoon. The song is about falling in love and growing comfortable with someone you love, a new role for the thoroughbred in any young

male. Actually, the higher pitched male background vocals and slightly bouyant feel to the song puts the author in mind of Adam Guettel (who recently won a very well-deserved Tony for his latest musical "The Light in the Piazza"), specifically his musical "Myths and Hymns." Mr. Robert Brown will surely forgive the comparison as he has been an open admirer of Adam Guettel for several years now. The song features some beautiful, intense, slightly dissonant harmonies and several extremely clever lyrics ("You said I don't have to be the king of idiosyncrasy). Other notables include "I Could Be in Love With Someone Like You" and "Music of Heaven." For all the fans of "The Last Five Years," the former is especially exciting. This song was actually in the original production of the show in Illinois; it featured Norbert Leo Butz and Lauren Kennedy, (who has recently put out her own solo album featuring music all written by Jason. She has a wonderful, beautiful voice and has often been described, along with Mr. Butz, as the ultimate avatars of Jason Robert Brown's music). The song was later cut and replaced by the popular "Shiksa Goddess" for personal and legal reasons. It is even more fun and...blithe than its replacement, with an extremely similar direction of melody. It successfully conveys the excitement of falling in love (with an Irish girl :-)). "Music of Heaven," on the other hand, is simply beautiful; it is a song to lose yourself in and is one Mr. Robert Brown thinks of as one of his best, according to a recent interview. It is deeply spiritual and moving to anyone who loves the art in music.



Upon first listening to this album, my first thought was...this is Jason, in the form of music. What an amazing person that man must be. The music of Jason Robert has evolved into a new, more mature, developed, and stylized character that is at once beautifully melodic and intelligently challenging to the mind. Jason Robert Brown has been my favorite composer of any kind of music for a number of years now; this album securely places him not only in the vanguard of Broadway's "new generation" of composers, but of those individual artists who are masters of their craft."

Ranges The Emotions; But Ends On FUN!

R. Schreiber | Columbia, MO USA | 10/10/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Jason Robert Brown is inarguably an incredibly talented musician and writer. His lyrics and tunes are beautiful and catchy, mesmorizing and witty. I love "Parade," "The Last 5 Years," and "Songs for a New World" but was a little anxious buying this CD, unsure of how he could sing although excited because when a writer sings his own pieces he does it the way he thinks it should go.



My first listen through I was unsure. It was good, nothing special. But I generally feel this way with most CDs the first time so I played through it again. Here are a few songs that need mention:



3. "Someone to Fall Back On" - One of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard, I often leave this on repeat. The melody is touching, the chorus is outstanding with an upbeat message in a slower song. Gorgeous.

7. "Nothing In Common" - Another song full of message, this swift ballad about his brother is charming but emotional. JRB manages to put a lot of emotion even into his faster numbers.

9. "I'm in Bizness" - Performed live JRB scats, plays the music, and freestyles his way through this one. It's a fun song to begin with, but his playing with it makes it even more enjoyable and really showcases his talent. This, like the title song "Wearing Someone Else's Clothes", "Long Long Road", "Getting Out", and "I Could Be In Love With Someone Like You" are fun, well-performed songs. But they are all so much more as they tell JRB's heartfelt stories through music.

11. "Grow Old With Me" - A fun ending to the album, this has a jazzy Sinatra-esque feel to it. This is pure fun.



Overall, I highly recommend this CD. If you're a JRB fan already there's no way this will disappoint. And if you don't know him this is a great way to get to know him. For people not into the musical theater scene, I'd recommend this to fans of Jason Mraz, Josh Kelley, Ari Hest, and even the likes of Billy Joel or Elton John."