BWW Reviews: LOVE BIRDS - A New Musical, Original Edinburgh Cast Recording

Currently playing at the Pleasance Theatre at this year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival and enjoying five-star reviews, SimG Records is releasing the Original Cast Recording of Love Birds - A New Musical by Robert J. Sherman next week.

Featuring singing and dancing animals, the show is suitable for the whole family and Robert J. Sherman (son of the celebrated Robert B. Sherman of the Sherman Brothers) has infused the character and style expected of such dynasty and heritage into this piece. Even Mary Poppins' singing penguins are paid homage to in this production! Whilst Sherman has written the book, music and lyrics of the piece; arrangements and musical supervision are contributed by Richard Healey. Love Birds has revue tendencies within a fully staged show.

A vaudeville feel is rife from the outset and the prologue is immediately recognisable as being created by a part of the Sherman legacy. From the Mary Poppins number, the vocal arrangements have been planned to perfection with stunning harmonies throughout. A barbershop quartet sound is featured during 'Mary Poppins' and in 'Tinpanorama', the addition of female vocals adds to the already well-rounded sound. The whole recording is very Gatsby and I particularly enjoy the honky tonk piano orchestrations during 'Valentine'. We merge into a charleston in 'Flipper Flap' which is extremely catchy and enters into another notorious dance style of the era.

The most enjoyable number on the recording in my opinion is 'Paint A Rainbow', executed wonderfully by Joanna Sawyer. Greg Castiglioni then follows this up with a masterclass in vocal control during 'Crunchy Crackers'. The entire company finish off with the title number which is equally as harmonious in context and melody.

An original production with elements of nostalgia fit expertly together in creating a show for all ages.

Love Birds - A New Musical plays at Pleasance, Edinburgh until the end of August and the recording is released on Monday 17th August 2015 - available from www.simgproductions.com.