Track Listing

1. Prologue
2. Story of Chess - Neal Benari
3. Where I Want to Be - David Carroll
4. How Many Women - Philip Casnoff, Judy Kuhn
5. Chess Hymn
6. Quartet (A Model of Decorum and Tranquility) - David Carroll, Harry Goz, Paul Harman, Judy Kuhn
7. You Want to Lose Your Only Friend? - Philip Casnoff, Judy Kuhn
8. Someone Else's Story - Judy Kuhn
9. One Night in Bangkok - Philip Casnoff
10. Terrace Duet - David Carroll, Judy Kuhn
11. Nobody's Side - Judy Kuhn
12. Anthem - David Carroll
13. Hungarian Folk Song
14. Heaven Help My Heart - Judy Kuhn
15. No Contest - Philip Casnoff, Dennis Parlato
16. You and I - David Carroll, Judy Kuhn, Marcia Mitzman
17. I Know Him So Well - Judy Kuhn, Marcia Mitzman
18. Pity the Child - Philip Casnoff
19. Lullaby (Apuk�d Er_s Kez�n) - Neal Benari, Judy Kuhn
20. Endgame - David Carroll, Philip Casnoff
21. You and I (Reprise) - David Carroll, Judy Kuhn

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #45061 in Music
• Released on: 1990-10-25
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Cast Recording, Explicit Lyrics, Soundtrack

Amazon.com
It was a success in London but a bomb in New York in 1988, but Chess's cult reputation has only grown over the years--quite a feat for a dramatic musical about love and cold war politics at a chess tournament! While Tim Rice's lyrics aren't too shabby, Chess owes it all to the team of Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, a.k.a. the BB in Abba. Their score has the drama that makes for good musical theater, and it doesn't shy from canny pop hooks either. "One Night in Bangkok" was a hit in Europe, while Judy Kuhn particularly shines on the poignant "Nobody's Side." Indeed, Chess is full of superb numbers that basically fall into two types: instantly memorable and growing-on-you memorable. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews

Vocally Stunning
While there are those who prefer the original, harder-edged British version, this Broadway version captures career-defining vocal performances by all three leads. The late David Carroll has never been better (at least on CD), and since the show favors his "Russian" character, he gets to shine not only in solo numbers like "Where I Want to Be" and the essential "Anthem" but in duets with Ms. Kuhn. Mr. Casnoff created the standard Broadway version of the rock screamer "Pity the Child" and though he shortly thereafter moved West, his take on the unsympathetic Freddie has always been the one to beat where this American version of the show is concerned.

Most spectacular of all, though, is Judy Kuhn's performance, from one end of this CD to the other. I know of no other single recorded vocal performance by any other female Broadway singer over the past 3 decades which I find more thrilling than her performance here. It's dark, intense, musky yet crystal-clear, with a vocal strength that's almost impossible to believe. There is no sense of two registers here. You can call it a "mix" if you like, but it sounds like one thread of solid vocal sound matched up and down the spectrum of her singing voice. The "Someone Else's Story" powerballad was written for her and it is as spectacular a match of individual vocal strengths to material as one could ever hope for. Judy Kuhn's Florence is spunky, intensely dramatic, sarcastic and finally ecstatic in things like "Terrace Duet" and "You and I" with David Carroll. In a CD filled with spectacular vocal turns by major contemporary Broadway voices of a decade ago, it is Ms. Kuhn's performance which is the main reason to own this CD.

Again, they sang this thing Broadway style (which is substantially different from the original British approach) and if you prefer it rocked-out, this is not for you. But if you care about Broadway singing at all, you must own this CD, and if you want to hear some of the most impressive singing by a woman in the entire pantheon of contemporary musical theater, Judy Kuhn in CHESS is never-to-be-forgotten, not-to-be-missed.

-Michael Moricz, Astoria NY

The Original Broadway Recording.
CHESS has had several incarnations--from the Chicago edition, to the original British version, to this the original Broadway (American) cast. Tim Rice thought of the idea for the musical and wrote the lyrics and during the 1980s, it kind of became his obsession; i.e. CHESS is to Tim Rice as E.T. is to Steven Spielberg as STAR WARS is to George Lucas. Rice corraborated on the project with half of ABBA (Benny Anderson and Bjorn Ulvaeus): they wrote the music and what beautiful music it is. The show was only on Broadway for about 3 months (Apr-June) in 1988 before being cancelled. Perhaps because the Cold War was waning, but at the time there didn't seem to be much of an audience for it. However, the Cold War ended 16 years ago and the show has grown in status over the years. The musical tells the story of an American chess player (loosely based upon Bobby Fischer) and his Russian counterpart. The American's lover and coach leaves him for the Russian. The Russian professes his love, but he's torn because he already has a wife and children back in the homeland. The play portrays the Russian as being the victim, but if you really think about it, he's not. I find the music of the show to be particularly moving and many of the lyrics are haunting. "Where I Want To Be", "Nobody's Side", "I Know Him So Well", and "Pity the Child" are all wonderful songs, tainted with melancholy. "One Night in Bangkok" actually became an international pop hit. However, the main reason that I like this album more than the other versions of the show is the inclusion of the song "Someone Else's Story". There just seems to be so much depth and emotion in that song that it stirs something in my soul everytime I hear or sing it. Most fans of CHESS prefer the more rock driven British version album. However, "Heaven Help My Heart" and call me a red, white, and blue Yankee because in the "Endgame" I like this album of CHESS the best.

One of the Greatest Musicals around
It's quite surprising that this musical didn't enjoy as successful a run as other more established ones like West Side Story or My Fair Lady. It should.

It is HEAVILY under-rated; Why so? Its Overture is breathtaking - on a par with West Side Story's. The album spans across various music genres from pop/rap ("One Night In Bangkok") to opera ("Anthem"). This album affirms the versatility and tremendous talent of both the composers and lyricist.

With Chess, Tim Rice seals his position as one of the best lyricists around with fantastic songs like "Nobody's Side" and "You and I". Not falling short, the ABBA duo matches Tim Rice's witty, punchy lyrics with their melodic, contemporary musical composition. This combination keeps the essence and tension of the musical intact.

A must-have for any musical enthusiast.