As always, it’s great to hear a new musical, and always great to hear one from the guys at Broadway Records. Next up on my virtual turntable is the Broadway Cast Recording of Sing Street, an album of music from the critically-acclaimed musical adaptation of John Carney’s indie hit film. Sing Street features music and lyrics by Danny Wilson front man Gary Clark and John Carney, was produced by Clark and Tony and GRAMMY Award winner Martin Lowe, co-produced by Scott Farthing and Patrick Milling Smith and mixed by Dave Bascombe, a frequent collaborator to new wave titans Depeche Mode, Tears for Fears, Peter Gabriel and more.

Dublin, 1982. Everyone is out of work. Thousands are seeking bluer skies across the Irish Sea. Conor and his schoolmates find an escape from their troubles by forming a band to impress a mysterious girl. With an original score that embraces the sounds of the ‘80s, Sing Street celebrates the joy of first love and the power of music.

After making its extended, sold-out world premiere at the New York Theatre Workshop last November and opening to wide critical acclaim, the Broadway-bound production Sing Street, is being brought to life by Tony Award-winning director Rebecca Taichman (Indecent), with book by Tony Award winner Enda Walsh (Once), music and lyrics by Gary Clark (Modern Love) & John Carney (Once) and choreography by Obie Award winner Sonya Tayeh (Moulin Rouge). Sing Street on Broadway stars Max Bartos (Uncut Gems) as Darren, Brendan C. Callahan (She Loves Me) as Gary, Billy Carter (Hangmen) as Robert, Zara Devlin (Hecuba) as Raphina, Gus Halper (Ride the Cyclone) as Brendan, Jakeim Hart (Blue Bloods) as Larry, Martin Moran (All The Rage) as Brother Baxter, Anne L. Nathan (Once) as Sandra, Johnny Newcomb (The Last Ship) as Barry, Brenock O’Connor (Alex Rider) as Conor, Gian Perez (In the Heights) as Kevin, Sam Poon (Runaways) as Eamon, Skyler Volpe (The Hello Girls) as Anne, Amy Warren (Women of a Certain Age) as Penny, Anthony Genovesi as Declan, with off-stage covers Ilan Eskenazi, Dashiell Eaves, Shadia Fairuz, Sophie Hearn, Michael Lepore and Jace Reinhard.

To say this recording’s sound is a blast from the past is an understatement. Right away I was taken back to the '80s (my childhood) with some great hits. The songs are really well presented - many of them stripped back, so they work really well in a theatre score. I can’t say how they fit into the story, as whilst the enclosed booklet is great, and has some interesting content, it doesn’t give the story, although there are full lyrics. I really enjoyed Martin Lowe’s orchestrations, which were authentic when needed, and imaginative and well-thought out when not. It’s a pretty stellar cast who deliver the numbers with honesty. I particularly liked ’To Find You’ delivered with heart by Brenock O’Connor.

An enjoyable listen, if a little hard to get the idea of the show without a synopsis.

7

Ian Gude