| ELTON JOHN AND TIM RICE'S AIDA (SHS Courier, 1999) If it ain't broke...This must have been what was running through Jeffrey Katzenberg's mind when Sir Elton John and Sir Tim Rice approached him about teaming up again to write another stage musical. John and Rice's first collaboration, The Lion King (maybe you've heard of it) went on to become the highest grossing movie of all time. It's soundtrack alone sold over eleven million copies, and the song "Can You Feel The Love Tonight" won an Academy Award for Best Song. When The Lion King opened on Broadway, the mayhem continued as it broke many box office records and earned eleven Tony Nominations, in the end taking home six of the coveted honors. John and Rice's latest project just released on soundtrack is Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida, which is based on Guiseppe Verdi's classic opera. The plot revolves around the forbidden love between Aida, a Nubian princess, and Radames, an Egyptian slave ship captain, who is also being romantically persued by Amneris, the Egyptian princess. When Aida's father is taken hostage, Radames goes against his country by assisting the Nubians. However, their plan is foiled and they are both sentenced to be buried alive. Through Rice's simple yet evocative lyrics, combined with John's often lush, powerful melodies, the team again has created a masterpiece. The stage musical, which ran for a brief period in Atlanta, is expected to open in Chicago in November, and then go on to Broadway. However, for the soundtrack just released, John and Rice invited many diverse artists to make their own interpretations of the soon-to-be classic songs. The album opens with Sting singing "Another Pyramid" which has a reggae feel to it. This song highlights Rice's story-telling talents, and actually sounds like something Sting would write. Like many of Sting's solo works and previous Police hits, this song uses an upbeat tempo to mask the seriousness of the lyrics. It is well-suited to introduce the album and aptly sets the tone. "Written in the Stars," John and Leann Rimes' whimsical duet, dramatizes the theme of star-crossed lovers. Rice's lyrics emit pure emotion through lines like: "You are all I 'll ever want but this I am denied/Sometimes in my darkest thoughts I wish I'd never learned/What it is to be in love and have that love returned." Although Rimes' is young, she belts out these words like a pro, and meshing with John's experience, this song takes its place as one of the best on the album. Backed by a full orchestra and gospel choir, the song captures the very essence of the musical and wonderfully depicts forbidden love. Tina Turner croons on "Easy As Life" which has a strong R & B groove and back-up singers echoing many of the lines solidifies the track. Turner seems almost too perfect for this song. From everything to the ironic title to the sensual innuendoes, her dramatic voice ads an extra kick that a novice could not. The Spice Girl's "My Strongest Suit" again illustrates how well artists were matched up with the John/Rice creations. This playful and upbeat song is reminiscent of a Diana Ross and the Supremes number, complete with a toe-tapping beat. The tongue-in-cheek lyrics are almost autobiographical of the Spice Girls: "So bring me all my finest/Most audacious, my divine-ist/Most revealing, most expensive and to boot/Most arresting, most heart stopping/Most free-flowing, most eye-popping/Because dress has always been my strongest suit." However, this song is pure infectious pop, comparable to "I Feel Pretty" from West Side Story, but with a 90's twist. And who can resist a chorus like "overwear, underwear, anytime anywhere?" "I Know The Truth" is saved by the raw talent of John and Janet Jackson. Although this is an unlikely pairing, John's mellow vocals and Jackson's innocent voice become one. However, the lyrics are lacking and plagued with clich�s, and some words are awkwardly accented. Boyz II Men's interpretation of "Not Me" is beautiful, with the harmonies of each member in perfect synchronicity to portray the coming together of two lovers. Coupled with profound lyrics and pure melodies, this song is filled with all the emotions people feel when they're in love. "Amneris' Letter" sung by Shania Twain is a musical love letter that display's her vocal range. Backed simply by a piano, this song epitomizes the simplistic yet profound nature of many of the songs from Aida. The straight-forward, angst-driven delivery of "Like Father Like Son" by Lenny Kravitz is awesome. The soul in his voice is equivalent to his hit "Are You Gonna Go My Way?" Heather Headely, who starred in Aida's stint in Atlanta, croons on "Elaborate Lives" with a reflective voice. She delivers this social commentary backed by a full orchestra, and her vocal performance leaves no doubt with listeners why she was cast as a lead in the original production. James Taylor's acoustic story-telling on "How I Know You" is a great example of Rice's lyrical superiority. Coupled with a minor key, Rice's candid lyrics say "I love you" without actually using those three little words. In "The Messenger," a duet between John and Lulu, again lyrics and music melt together to form a masterpiece. With a beat of conviction and complete with orchestrations, the words are an expression of human emotion: "Death is just a messenger/In a poor disguise/Fooling no one, lost for words/Love is in your eyes." "The Gods Love Nubia" sung by Kelly Price and "Enchantment Passing Through" performed by Dru Hill both have R&B and pop appeal that could easily achieve Top 10 status. Both songs have memorable refrains and, if released to radio, would acheive popular success. The album concludes with an orchestral finale which recreates a medley of highlights from the album through lavish orchestrations. In under four minutes, this track runs the spectrum of the album, repeating the catchy choruses that can appeal to everyone. The album's only weakness comes in "A Step Too Far" where the trio of John, Headely and Sherie Scott (who also starred in Aida) could not salvage the weak words and a melody sounding as if it just stepped out of the 80's. The song is a disappointment considering the three talented singers featured. Although their is diversity among performers, the strong songs by Elton John and Tim Rice make the album flow from beginning to end. From ballads to upbeat tracks, and with singers that vary from pop stars to Broadway royalty, Aida has it all. This album fulfills every emotion with the talents of two of the most celebrated songwriters in history, only leaving listeners with one request: here's hoping this John/Rice collaboration is not the last. |
| "I shall not envy lovers, but long for what they share. An empty room is merciless, don't be suprised if I confess -- I need some comfort there..." ~ Tim Rice |
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