Rent: Vocal Selections - Jonathan Larson > Reviews (1)

Product: Vocal selections of the musical RENT
Setting: Vocal line, piano accompaniment and chords
Composer and lyricist: Jonathan Larson
Published by: Hal Leonard Music Publishing
Price: RRP £14.95
Cheapest at amazon.co.uk - marketplace at £5.40 at the time of writing (july 2007)

The vocal selections of the 1996 hit musical, now a big film success, includes 12 songs from the show, arranged for piano and voice, with chords for guitar-accompaniment. The musical by Jonathan Larsson took first off-Broadway, and, shortly after, Broadway by storm and was one of the most successfull musicals of the 1990's. It has been played in a number of countries, and is still playing on Broadway.

In the selections some ensemble songs have been adapted into solo songs, like the title-song Rent and Seasons of Love, making it possible to sing them alone. Unfortunately the same has been done to “Take me or leave me”, reducing it to solo instead of a wonderful duet for two female voices. Some of the other duets have been treated the same. Some songs have been made into optional duets, like the beautiful and moving “I’ll cover you” and the strong “What you own”, where smaller notes imply the less melodically important part for a duet alternative, a good solution making the music versatile and easy to suit to a speciall occasion.

The music is rock-based, and the piano accompaniment can sometimes feel a bit misplaced – playing the music by the chords with a guitar is much more effective. Many of the chord progressions and empty chords (without the third major-or-minor-defining tone) sound misplaced in the piano, but are natural to the guitar. The piano accompaniment includes the melody, which can be frustrating for the more experienced singer, but is a big help to the amateur fan wanting to be able to sing the songs of the show.

The show includes several good songs for male voices. “One song glory”, “Your Eyes” and “I’ll cover you” are just a few examples. A female singer will certainly enjoy this book, but for any male singer this book is a must!

Other information:

Contents:
Another Day
Halloween
I'll Cover You
One Song Glory
Out Tonight
Rent
Santa Fe
Seasons Of Love
Take Me Or Leave Me
What You Own
Without You
Your Eyes

ISBN: 0793572290
UPC: 73999130690
Product code HL 00313069
104 pages
Product Dimensions: 30.5 x 22.9 x 0.7 cm