The Last Five Years

I am a big fan of musical theater so I'm not THAT hard to please, but even so, there are objectively bad and objectively good examples of the craft. "Ragtime" is good. "Titanic" is bad. And "The Last Five Years" is excellent. The story is engaging, the emotions pure and the characters likable. This all comes out in the soundtrack, which is at times funny, poignant and haunting. It follows the five-year relationship and marriage of the two characters -- Jamie, a successful writer, and Cathy, a struggling actress -- but in opposite chronological order. His story is told normally, while hers is told backwards. At the beginning of the show, and the first song on the soundtrack, Cathy is somewhat bitterly lamenting the end of their marriage, and how it seems so easy for him, while she is Still Hurting. Next, Jamie is having his first date with Cathy with the amusing and charming "Shiksa Goddess." Then, Cathy is making one last ditch effort to salvage their clearly broken marriage as he visits her in Ohio in, "See, I'm Smiling." People who have tried to convince themselves that they are in the right relationship when they are clearly not will easily relate to this.The striking thing about the progression of songs is that it shows both characters are sympathetic, if also obviously flawed: he is narcissistic, she is clingy, and consequently their marriage was doomed before they got finished with "The Next Ten Minutes."For my money, the most haunting song here is "Nobody Needs to Know." Jamie sings it after waking up with his mistress. His wife is in Ohio, and he is cheating on her. The listener is compelled to have mixed feelings. Yes, he's cheating. But he was doomed never to have a fulfilling life with Cathy, and one gets the impression from listening to this song that he is so self-absorbed, he will never have a fulfilling relationship with anyone.And neither, it seems, will Cathy. She's a decent actress, good enough for paid work in regional theater, but probably not good enough to hit the big time. She will always be needy, and so she too will have a hard time finding a fulfilling relationship.Both of them are at heart good, and you want good things to happen to them. But you are left with the feeling that, at least as far as romance, they are both doomed, and at the end of the last song, when they both say "Goodbye" at the same time, you really have a sense of the tragedy in that.

Ugh... what can possibly be said about this? This is probably my favorite musical ever, and the format of the show is so awesome. Even after listening to this hundreds of times, I still find myself finding a new moment to connect with or new respect and empathy for the characters. Because they are telling their story in chronologically opposite direction, my feelings for each of the characters changes through the show. They develop slowly over time. You understand why they did what they did when they did it. The songs are incredible, and Norbert Leo Butz redefines what it means to have a sexy, soulful, expressive voice. Both characters are performed with such subtlety and maturity and depth. It's impossible not to feel invested in their story. It's impossible not to get wrapped up in the beauty of the love they share and the heartbreak they face. And if you haven't seen the movie, please for the love of all that is good in the world, listen to this first. The movie absolutely ruined this show as it was meant to be, and a lot of depth is lost in that. Even without seeing Butz and Scott perform, listening to this is a much more moving experience. If you did see the movie and liked it, you won't believe how much better it can be. If you saw the movie and hated it, you are a wise individual. Now, everyone should just listen to this. And let Butz flood his wonderfulness all over you. And let Scott make you cry a few tears. It's so wonderful...

I had not seen this show but was familiar with a couple of the songs. I found that I didn't particularly care for the book, but since that always a matter of personal opinion and expectations others may strongly disagree. Had I known more about the show than just the sangs that I liked, I might just have bought the sangs, on the other hand it certainly adds to my collection of Broadway Shows even though it won't be one of my favorites.

It's easy to see why this broadway show has not gotten more attention from the general public: it's not exactly shallow upbeat fun for the whole family. It is however profoundly beautiful in it's writing and heartbreaking in its message - another confirmation of Jason Robert Brown's genius in the musical theater genre. The music moves from the lighthearted (actually fall on the floor funny) comedy of "A Summer In Ohio" to the smoldering sadness of "Still Hurting" without sounding like two separate musicals, but rather an amazing portrait of a slice of life we can all relate to. One of Brown's greatest strengths is his ability to showcase beautiful evocative lyrics without compromising the music. Each element of the song stands on its own helping to convey it's message in a powerful and musically beautiful way. If you like thoughtful song writing and haven't heard his music before this CD is worthy of listen.

Of all of Jason Robert Brown's works, this one must rank as the first. I loved how the recording works as if you are watching it on stage, with one song blending into the next. The songs range from hilarious (Shiksa Goddess, Summer in Ohio, Climbing Uphill) to heart breaking (If I Didn't Believe in You, Nobody Needs to Know). Although the story seems as simple as it gets(the relationship between two people), the music lifts it up over most typical love stories. JRB also explores all aspects of falling in love, from infatuation to resentment. Norbert Leo Butz (goodness, he's incredible) and Sherie Rene Scott are amazing. The one thing that bothered me was the random cuss words that seemed to be there just to take up space. However, they are few and far between and overall the lyrics are incredibly clever. After hearing it, I only wish I could've found out about this musical in time to watch it.

I have to say that this is a wonderful score from Jason Robert Brown who I was previously unfamiliar with apart from the very slushy title track from Songs for a new world. This however has bite and energy which carries it along at break-neck speed.The music is phenomenal although it doesn't get 5 stars for a few reasons.1) The music is occassionally inconsistent and by this i mean that Jamie's songs are stronger than Cathy's (this means that perhaps JRB has more of an understanding of Jamie's story than hers). I have heard something about JRB's ex-wife being angry at this show and he must have been more generous to Jamie as a result. I definately get the impression that this is Jamie's show and told more strongly from a man's perspective (obviously JRB is talking from his experiences as a successful male) even though Cathy opens the show. Then again, Iago opens Othello and Judas opens Jesus Christ Superstar.2) On the same point, Jamie's progression of character is clearer in the music whereas Cathy appears to always have songs which contain some melancholy or annoyance.3)However great this music is, it is more like a jazz album with a base concept of exploring relationships rather than an actual musical soundtrack. It is like the greatest hits of a well known jazz duo which is great to listen to but sometimes the music is given the emphasis over the story (but that happens to be the way I like it).4)I am a pianist and may have to play this show in a few months time and the score is too difficult! hahaha5)Sometimes the Sondheim influenced dialogue style of singing (especially in Cathy's audition track) can get annoying, moreso with Cathy who seems to moan alot. I think JRB actually has a better musical brain than Sondheim in terms of the instrumental music but sometimes the lifts in the vocal parts are waited for too long and the repetitive dialogical singing goes on too far.6) Coming back to consistency, I think the first half of the soundtrack is musically stronger than the second and it seems that JRB gets all the good tracks at the beginning to get your attention but once you get to about song no.10 it gets a bit tiresome and one loses the effort to concentrate.7) I think it would benefit if they never sang together in the show. I feel that JRB was pressured in making them sing together to add variety but in some ways I think it distorts the whole thiing he is trying to do by telling their stories in contrasting time scales and a less aware audience might become seriously confused and I personally feel that the two characters should share their own worlds and that it would be REALLY interesting if they never communicated in song as it is clear that the two are always different and estranged from each other.Alot of criticism I know, but this still gets 4 stars as for any musician or great listener there is some fantastic music in this show. The most notable tracks are: Shiksa Goddess, Moving Too Fast, The Schmuel Song, Summer in Ohio and A Miracle Would Happen. Again all bar one of these are sung by Jamie but I have to say they are the best songs in the show, and the most difficult for all you pianists like me out there.Enjoy this jazz/classical/pop/blues/rock album!

Jason Robert Brown does something unique. He writes musicals that work on the CD player as well as on stage. The songs are wonderfully melodic and his use of language is simply beautiful. His songs will uplift you and make you smile, laugh and cry. I've been lucky enough to see two productions of this piece in the UK and it remains, for me, simply the best and most consistent musical I know. Not a dud song in there. Buy it, listen and go see it if you can.

the sound track to the original Broadway show fantastic. it is brilliant. full of emotion and music that covers every day love and relationships.

What superb music, were as it been all my life, just can't turn it off.

De mis obras favoritas, interpretada magistralmente por dos grandes del musical de Broadaway: Norbert Leo Butz y Sherie René Scott extraordinarios.Gran producción.