BWW CD Review: KINKY BOOTS Original Broadway Cast Recording

Kinky Boots is a dynamic musical based on the 2005 British movie of the same name. The show, with music and lyrics by Cyndi Lauper and a book by Harvey Fierstein, has 13 Tony nominations under it's belt, and has come out to stellar audience reception.

Kinky Boots tells the story of Charlie (Stark Sands) , a young owner of a family ownEd English shoe factory, who saves the shoe factory from bankruptcy by deciding to produce custom shoes for drag queens, opposed to men's dress shoes as it had for many years. Charlie joins forces with drag Queen Lola (Billy Porter).

The show features big stars with equally big voices, like Billy Porter (Angels in America, Annaleigh Ashford (Legally Blonde, Wicked, Hair), and Stark Sands (American Idiot). These powerful voices shine on stage, and as an extension also shine in the original Broadway cast recording of Kinky Boots.

The score of this show is soulful, passionate, and ensures both toe tapping and singing along. It is impossible to not get lost in these songs that are so full of life and have such contagious beats. It is impossible to not bop your head and tap your feet to the track "Take What You Got," which almost has a soft rock sound to it.

Fun is not a word expressive enough to explain the vibe of this cast recording. Its sound is electric; every track is louder, bigger, and expressive than the last. The style of tracks very, they range from balladic show tune, to soft rock, to pure soul. Track after track, the recording consistently outdoes itself.

Sands, Porter, and Ashford lend their voices to the brilliant songs that tell the story of love, drive, and dreams. A good recording stands alone for listeners, even if they have not seen the show - and that is exactly what is done with this record.

The music of the show is very telling of its characters as Cyndi Lauper uses lyric not only to drive plot, but to provide depth and background for characters. The lyrics of the tracks provide insight on the characters innermost thoughts and feelings. This is evident in the stunning, meaningful "Hold Me In Your Heart," performed by Lola, and the Lola and Charlie duet, "Not My Fathers Son."

All of Lola's tracks, performed by the astoundingly talented and versatile Billy Porter, are incredibly executed, and vary in sound. Porter is a force to be reckoned with, as he owns each and every track he is featured on. "Sex Is In The Heel," is the most soulful, sensual song, of the record, and is the one most likely to get you out of your seat dancing and belting. Porter's duet opposite Sands' Charlie, "Not My Fathers Son," channels Porters (and Sands') ability to convey emotion and passion in performance. Porter's "Hold Me In Your Heart," makes you fall in love with his character Lola, and will give you goose bumps. The ballad's lyrics are heartfelt and Porter performs it with indescribable excellence.

Porter is not the only voice to shine on this record. Annaleigh Ashford sings the adorable sort-of love song, "The History of Wrong Guys." The tune is both funny and emotional at the same time. It provides some context, and some background on Ashford's character, Lauren. Ashford manages to covey humour and quirkiness in her voice. Astoundingly, she still manages to sound incredible doing so. The chorus is painfully catchy, and features Ashford growling and belting. Don't ask, just listen.

Stark Sands wows on the recording as well, killing each number he is in. He pulls on your heartstrings in the emotional "Soul of a Man," and makes you want to sing with him in "Everybody Say Yeah." Prepare to bop your head and get lost in Sands soulful sound.

The original Broadway cast recording of Kinky Boots lives up to the cliché phrase "larger than life." No other phrase could do the recording justice. Its tracks vary in style and vibe, but they all have sing-in-the-shower potential. The recording is the perfect cure to a down mood, as it can uplift just about anybody.

Kinky Boots (The Original Broadway Cast Recording) is available for purchase on iTunes.

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