Somewhat infamous for appearing on Broadway in numerous revisions without ever really clicking, Frank Wildhorn and Nan Knighton's Scarlet Pimpernel is represented in its earliest form in this 1991 concept album. The story,... more » borrowed from the classic Baroness Orczy novel, follows Sir Percy Blakeney, an Englishman who uses his foppish image as a cover for his undercover adventures rescuing people from the guillotine during the French Revolution. He must, however, be careful around his new wife, the French actress Marguerite, whom he doesn't entirely trust. This is the first of three recordings of this score, and it's the most uneven, using its "concept album" status as an opportunity to rather awkwardly mix a variety of styles, from harpsichord-driven "period" pieces to power-pop ballads to a flamenco (?) number. Even with that caveat, it might be the most enjoyable of the three simply because of the presence of pop diva Linda Eder. Wildhorn's wife was along for the many stages of Jekyll & Hyde but sang Pimpernel only on this recording, and her tracks can stand alone as a pretty satisfying pop album: "Home Again," "When I Look at You," "Now When the Rain Falls," "I'll Forget You," "You Are My Home" (with Peabo Bryson), "The Riddle" and "Our Separate Ways" (both with Dave Clemmons), and "There Never Was a Time" (with Chuck Wagner). In addition, listening to Eder wrap her golden vocal cords around that favorite tune of cabaret singers, "Storybook," may itself be worth the price of the CD. --David Horiuchi« less
Somewhat infamous for appearing on Broadway in numerous revisions without ever really clicking, Frank Wildhorn and Nan Knighton's Scarlet Pimpernel is represented in its earliest form in this 1991 concept album. The story, borrowed from the classic Baroness Orczy novel, follows Sir Percy Blakeney, an Englishman who uses his foppish image as a cover for his undercover adventures rescuing people from the guillotine during the French Revolution. He must, however, be careful around his new wife, the French actress Marguerite, whom he doesn't entirely trust. This is the first of three recordings of this score, and it's the most uneven, using its "concept album" status as an opportunity to rather awkwardly mix a variety of styles, from harpsichord-driven "period" pieces to power-pop ballads to a flamenco (?) number. Even with that caveat, it might be the most enjoyable of the three simply because of the presence of pop diva Linda Eder. Wildhorn's wife was along for the many stages of Jekyll & Hyde but sang Pimpernel only on this recording, and her tracks can stand alone as a pretty satisfying pop album: "Home Again," "When I Look at You," "Now When the Rain Falls," "I'll Forget You," "You Are My Home" (with Peabo Bryson), "The Riddle" and "Our Separate Ways" (both with Dave Clemmons), and "There Never Was a Time" (with Chuck Wagner). In addition, listening to Eder wrap her golden vocal cords around that favorite tune of cabaret singers, "Storybook," may itself be worth the price of the CD. --David Horiuchi
"The Scarlet Pimpernel is one of my favorite shows, and I'd had the fabulous OBC recording for months before I got the concept recording. Both are great recordings, and the OBC is superior in my opinion, but the concept recording is also absolutely amazing. Linda Eder, who does such a fabulous job in Jekyll & Hyde, is an amazing Marguerite. From the beautiful "Home Again" to the lively "Storybook" Linda's gorgeous strong voice shines through. Chuck Wagner is no Douglas Sills- his Percy is much less foppish, although he does have his moments. Wagner does have a very nice voice, his version of "Into the Fire" is great! Dave Clemmons' Chauvelin is my favorite thing about this recording. Although I adore Terry Mann on the OBC, Dave's Chauvelin is still so great to me; very seductive in "Marguerite," a beautiful song that was cut from the later show. Although he doesn't have maybe as much strength as Terry, he is very talented and has a fabulously seductive voice. The songs which were later cut from the show are all very beautiful, and although the ones that stayed are not nearly up to what they eventually became, they also are great. It's very interesting to note the lyrical changes in some, especially "The Scarlet Pimpernel" which has almost entirely different lyrics, and I do prefer the ones on the concept! A lot of this recording has a very Latin feel to it, especially "Our Separate Ways," a Chauvelin/Marguerite duet. There are songs for everyone, from the cheerful "They Seek Him Here" to the tearjerker "Now When the Rain Falls." This CD is a must for any Scarlet Pimpernel fan, and any other fans of musical theatre!"
Much Better than Broadway!
Queen of Annwen | 06/08/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I originally got this album from the library just to hear the deleted single "I'll Forget you" but I was very surprised to find that I adored a lot more of this music than I thought. While singers and songs alike (with the exception of Terrance Mann) did not exactly click in the Broadway recording, I was immensely pleased to hear Linda Eder as Margurite, though I was nervous about the other actors.
First of all, though Terry Mann remains my favorite Chauvelin by far, I was surprised to find Dave Clemmons pull in a VERY close second. His duet "The Riddle" with Marguerite was wonderful and "Marguerite", now suceeded by "Where's the girl" (an equally wonderful piece), was haunting and beautiful.
Eder's role as Marguerite was perfectly placed and the songs compliment her voice and range very well.
Finally, Wagner completes the trio with wonderful reditions of "The Creation of Man" (hilariously funny) and "There Never was a time".
However, I wasn't exactly thrilled with the particular recording of "You are my home". While it is a good song, under these circumstances, I must say I prefer the broadway armand and that particular rendition.
Songs like "they seek him here" and "the scarlet pimpernel" were a little stuffy, though I now adore "Madame Guillotine".
Overall, a very worthwhile buy for many of the deleted songs, though I was disappointed this album didn't carry "falcon in the dive". However, fans of Wildhorn's works, such as Jekyll and Hyde, will enjoy this addition to their collection."
Buy this for "Marguerite"
Aimee Spencer | Oakton, VA USA | 07/21/1999
(4 out of 5 stars)
"No matter what else may be said about this album- and it is a good one- its worth getting for "Marguerite Prelude" and "Marguerite", two astonishingly haunting pieces not on the OBC recording. Given that this is a concept album, it's still rather wonderful."
A good pimpernel recording
Aimee Spencer | 04/16/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This SP recording is good, but not as good as the OBC one. Get this for the deleted songs, which are great: "Home Again," "Marguerite," "Now When the Rain Falls," "Our Seperate Ways," and "There Never Was A Time." These all are great songs, especially "Marguerite," "Our Seperate Ways," and "There Never Was A Time." There is a different version of "The Scarlet Pimpernel," which is quite amusing, as is the slightly altered version of "The Creation of Man." "Storybook" sounds more French on this recording, and is quite good. "Into the Fire" is quite different, and I can't say that I particularly like it, compared to the one on the OBC recording. However, standing alone, it is pretty good. The little version of "They Seek Him Here" is just over a minute long, but is pretty good. Linda Eder's version of "When I Look at You" is not very good at all, but might appeal more to people who like a more modern feel. The same goes for "You Are My Home." "Madame Guillotine" is sung with more emotion, but otherwise it can't compare with the OBC one. I rather liked the Chauvelin/Marguerite duet version of "The Riddle-" I thought it was terrible at first, but it grew on me and now I think it's pretty good. I didn't particularly like the jazz in "I'll Forget You," but it was pretty good otherwise, although it dosen't live up to the one on the Encore recording. As for the instrumental songs, "Marguerite Prelude" is a short musical preview of "Marguerite," and although quite pretty, not needed. "Scarlet Interlude" is a song that is themusic which the overeture(on the OBC recording)plays just until the exciting part comes. It is quite useless, really. "Pimpernel Fanfare" is a.k.a. the overeture on the OBC recording, with slightly different instruments.
One other thing: PERCY NEEDS MORE SONGS!!! He dosen't even have an entirely solo song, something that Chauvelin has. He sings in "Into the Fire," which is mostly solo, but not quite, the first part of "They Seek Him Here" is solo, a solo/duet with the Prince of Wales in "The Creation of Man," and a solo/duet with Marguerite in "There Never Was A Time." So, in all he sings in four songs, none of which are completly solo.(He also has a few solo lines in "The Scarelt Pimpernel," but that can hardly be counted.)Marguerite, on the other hand, has way to many songs. She sings in a total of nine songs, five of which are completley solo. I think it is quite unfair to poor Percy. :>(
Over all, this is split 75/25 with good to bad, and is quite worth getting if you already have theOBC or Encore recordings. However, DO NOT get this if you do not already have a SP album. The songs are all out of order, and this one can't compare to the others anyway. But over all, I like this one, and it is worth buying.
Track Listings (18) - Disc #1
![Seussical [2000 Original Broadway Cast]](https://nationalbookswap.com/cd//m/02/4802/514802.jpg)
