BWW CD Reviews: VALLEY OF SONG (Original Cast Recording) is Lovely Despite Shortcomings

The new musical VALLEY OF SONG was first performed at the Finborough Theatre on January 12, 2014, and it opened to positive notices from critics. Left incomplete at Ivor Novello's death, his collaborator Christopher Hassall finished the piece. Set on the eve of the Great War, the new musical is a celebration of Wales, Ivor Novello's homeland, and the music of his childhood. The recording captures the spirit of classical musicals as the score abounds with the whimsy of Rodgers + Hammerstein and Lerner and Loewe. Despite these merits, VALLEY OF SONG (Original Cast Recording) suffers some shortcomings.

Ivor Novello's score drips with nostalgia and reminds listeners of a bygone era of musical theatre, giving audiences the feeling that they are listening to a cast recording of a revival and not a recording of a new musical. It is lushly orchestrated and Ronald Hanmer's arrangements and Adam Morris' musical direction ensure that the opulent and mirthful chords flow beautifully from beginning to end. Yet, they simply don't enchant the way one would like them to. The music, while reminiscent of hit shows like BRIGADOON and CINDERELLA, just doesn't stay with listeners. It doesn't lodge itself into your being and fuse with your DNA. It simply sounds pretty as it passes by.

The cast sings the show beautifully as well, but none of the songs really stick out above the others. The choral work the ensemble does in numbers like "Cambria," "Venice," and "Carnival in Venice" is nothing short of lovely. The same can be said for Katy Treharne as Lily on "Look in My Heart" and "Rainbow in the Fountain," Linford Hydes as David on "I Know a Valley," and Lee van Geleen as Gwilim on "Sing!" Sandy Walsh as Nan, Jill Nalder as Olwen, Amira Matthews as Maria, Gareth Snook as Ricardo, and Harrison Rose as Reporter all vocalize with gusto too, ensuring that listeners are gifted with perfectly nice little ditties sung by marvelous talent. Their recordings aren't lifeless; in fact, they are full bodied. They just don't make a home within the heart and soul.

At the bottom line, VALLEY OF SONG (Original Cast Recording) is like an attractive and moderately expensive decorative item. It's nice. It's well produced. It adds color and light to your existing palette. It just doesn't grab the spotlight and command the room. Thus, album is an attractive cast album filled with lovely music, but it doesn't excite, stir, move, or shake the listener in the way that leaves an indelible marking on the soul.

The WestEnders released VALLEY OF SONG (Original Cast Recording) on July 1, 2014. The album can be purchased from The WestEnders' online store and Dress Circle's online store.