| Hairspray (Soundtrack to the Motion Picture) | 
 enlarge | Creators: Marc Shaiman, John Travolta, Zac Efron, Nikki Blonsky, Michelle Pfeiffer, James Marsden, Brittany Snow, Queen Latifah, Christopher Walken, Elijah Kelley
Label: New Line Records
Category: Music
List Price: $16.98
Buy New: $6.86
You Save: $10.12 (60%)
New (42) Used (21) Collectible (1) from $6.50
Avg. Customer Rating:  163 reviews
Sales Rank: 386
Format: Soundtrack, Enhanced
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 4.9 x 0.4
MPN: 794043908927
UPC: 794043908927
EAN: 0794043908927
ASIN: B000PUAID4
Release Date: July 10, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
|
| Tracks:
| • | "GOOD MORNING BALTIMORE" - Nikki Blonsky | | • | "THE NICEST KIDS IN TOWN" - James Marsden | | • | "IT TAKES TWO" - Zac Efron | | • | "(THE LEGEND OF) MISS BALTIMORE CRABS" - Michelle Pfeiffer | | • | "I CAN HEAR THE BELLS" - Nikki Blonsky | | • | "LADIES' CHOICE" - Zac Efron | | • | "THE NEW GIRL IN TOWN" - Brittany Snow | | • | "WELCOME TO THE 60's" - Nikki Blonsky & John Travolta | | • | "RUN AND TELL THAT" - Elijah Kelley | | • | "BIG, BLONDE & BEAUTIFUL" - Queen Latifah | | • | "BIG, BLONDE & BEAUTIFUL reprise" - John Travolta & Michelle Pfeiffer | | • | "(YOU'RE) TIMELESS TO ME" - John Travolta & Christopher Walken | | • | "I KNOW WHERE I'VE BEEN" - Queen Latifah | | • | "WITHOUT LOVE" - Zac Efron, Nikki Blonsky, Elijah Kelley & Amanda Bynes | | • | "(IT'S) HAIRSPRAY" - James Marsden | | • | "YOU CAN'T STOP THE BEAT" - Nikki Blonsky, Zac Efron, Amanda Bynes, | | • | "COME SO FAR (GOT SO FAR TO GO)" - Queen Latifah, Nikki Blonsky, Zac | | • | "COOTIES" - Aimee Allen | | • | "MAMA, I'M A BIG GIRL NOW" - Nikki Blonsky, Marissa Jaret Winokur & Rikki Lake |
|
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
No Description Available
No Track Information Available
Media Type: CD
Artist: HAIRSPRAY
Title: SOUNDTRACK
Street Release Date: 07/10/2007
Domestic
Genre: SOUNDTRACK
Amazon.com
What fun! This soundtrack of the film adaptation of the Broadway musical overflows with glossy, ol' fashioned '60s-style pep. It won't win any awards for innovation, but it may well be one of the most feel-good releases of the year. While not quite as super-energetic as the original Broadway cast, the new crew ain't too shabby: Nikki Blonsky delivers as Tracy Turnblad and Zac Efron (High School Musical) makes for a devoted boyfriend, and the supporting cast gleefully embraces the show's silly-but-generous spirit. John Travolta (who gets to utter the particularly ironic line "it's been years since someone asked me to dance") goes drag as Tracy's mom, Edna, while Michelle Pfeiffer's slight stiffness is appropriate for her uptight character, especially on the cha-cha "(The Legend of) Miss Baltimore Crabs." After Mama Morton in Chicago, Queen Latifah puts in another brassy turn as Motormouth Maybelle ("Big, Blonde and Beautiful," which is then reprised by Travolta and Pfeiffer). The show's authors, Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, have written three new numbers for the movie: the rollicking (and first single) "Ladies' Choice," "New Girl in Town" and "Come So Far." In addition, the CD also includes two tracks that aren't in the film but were in the show: "Cooties," sung by Aimee Allen, and "Mama, I'm a Big Girl Now," sung by all three Tracy Turnblads: Blonsky, Ricki Lake (from the source movie) and Marissa Jaret Winokur (from the original Broadway cast). --Elisabeth Vincentelli
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 158 more reviews...
 Awesome. Seriously. Un-freaking-believably awesome. July 31, 2007
52 out of 55 found this review helpful
This is an outstanding CD from an outstanding musical film!
I totally loved the movie. "Hairspray" makes a seamless, wonderful transfer from the Broadway stage to the silver screen.
The soundtrack perfectly captures the film, including all the music and snippets of dialogue, creating a complete satisfying experience.
It is impossible to overstate what a find Nikki Blonsky is. Watching her is like shaking a bottle of Pepsi, and waiting for it to fizz. Bubbly is an understatement. Her vocal performance matches her screen performance beat for beat.
"Good Morning Baltimore" launches us into this very specific (60's, working-class, Baltimore) era, using hysterical lyrics and time-capsule-like music.
The music of "Hairspray" sounds like every single early 60's pop song you can name off the top of your head dumped into a blender, and then poured over a CD. Motown, Brill Building, surf, Spector, Stax, Sinatra, girl groups, doo-wop...seriously...it's all here.
It's like one day,you unexpectedly have the best chocolate milk shake you've EVER tasted. You had tons of 'em before, but MAN was that one good!
Same here. Instantly familiar yet wholly original and of the utmost quality. The tunes are more infectious than head lice at preschool. The lyrics are smarter than you are.
Anyways...back to Blonsky. Her showcase songs, "Baltimore" & "I Can Hear The Bells" , along with her cast pieces like "Without Love" and "You Can't Stop The Beat" reveal her to be a world class entertainer. Her character's personality spills out of your speakers like the foam of a root beer float filled too full.
The entire cast is a dream. James Marsden (Cyclops? Really? Is that you?) fully imbues his plastic Corny Collins character with a winking shine; he knows he's considered superficial but he also know he isn't.
Zac Efron will get all the tweens/teens aflutter, but he's great. Honestly. "Ladies' Choice" positively thunders out of my car stereo, and is merely one of several, cardiac-arrhythmia-inducing energizing moments during the show.
Queen Latifah, as usual, is nothing but pure class. She as regal as her name. Powerful vocals without being overpowering.
And what about Travolta? He's terrific in the movie. As Tracy's mom, Edna, he goes for something different than the previous incarnations. Before, they were clearly big men in drag. Loud ad abrasive. Here, Travolta goes for a different tack. It's clearly Travolta, but his Edna has this pig-eyed sweetness, this down-trodden nobility, that I haven't seen before. It works like gangbusters. His vocal input here is limited, and that's perfectly OK.
Michelle Pfeiffer represents evil in this movie, and it comes across in her "Miss Baltimore Crabs" song. Listen, I love Miss Pfeiffer. She's my favorite. I'm her number one fan. Love her to death. I would lie down in front of a moving train for her.
But she's positively horrible here...and in the best possible way. She is so good at being so bad, her input here is unpleasant. Which is a roundabout high compliment. I never have to listen to her songs again. I'll just go back to "Ladyhawke" or "Baker Boys."
The REAL find her might be Elijah Kelley. During the film, you can't take your eyes off of him. On this soundtrack, he soars. Every time he shows up, you KNOW it. "Run and Tell That" is frankly amazing. It moves and grooves with such delightful energy, you cannot avoid doing that weird looking dance you do while sitting in your car with your seatbelt on.
The best moment, of dozens, is "You Can't Stop The Beat." When I say people were dancing as we left the movie theater, that is not hyperbole or exaggeration. It is fact. It is what people were doing, filing out the exits.
They were dancing.
To this song.
An unbridled tornado of musical electricity, "You Can't Stop..." shake you from your very foundations, finding some deep, repressed desire to shake your booty that may have been hidden long along, and brings it, uncontrollably, to the surface. I felt like somebody clamped a car battery to my tail bone. The ensemble singing will lift you off of your chair (I'm warning you: pull over if you listen to this in your car), and the band exhibits such crisp, tight musicianship, coupled with a healthy, wild abandon...it is futile to resist.
The ending is simply thrilling with the stop-start chorus and explosive band breaks.
I'm spent just RECALLING the experience!
One other thing. Definitely check out the last song on the disc. "Mama, I'm A Big Girl Now" is a song from the original show that didn't make it into the film. Rikki Lake (from the original non-musical film), Marissa Jaret Winokur (the original Broadway Tracy Turnblad) and Nikki Blonsky come together to do a hilarious, fun, riotous version of this very funny song. There's a brief, hysterical vocal cameo by...well...I'll save THAT for you to discover on your own.
A higher recommendation does not exist. Thanks for taking the time to read this...
YOU CAN'T STOP THE BEAT July 16, 2007
32 out of 37 found this review helpful
I refuse to compare the Broadway Cast with the Soundtrack Cast because they each stand on their own dancing feet and each makes you feel as high as Tracy Turnblads hair-do. And who could have known that John Travolta would make his 3rd or fourth movie comeback playing a two-ton woman named Edna Turnblad. The photos make it look like he swallowed a volkswagon but I can't wait to see him in the movie.
The CD starts with the jubilant "Good Morning Baltimore" and the finale is the driving.pulsing "You Can't Stop The Beat" and sandwiched in-between is a raft of tasty morsels like Blonskys(Tracey) "I Can Hear The Bells' "Welcome to The Sixties" "Without Love" and the afore-mentioned "Good Morning Baltimore" and "You Can'tstop The Beat"
Zac Efron playing Traceys love interest Link Larkin shines on "It takes Two" and a new rocker written for the film "Ladies Choice" and Queen Latifah soars on her big number "I Know Where I'm Going"
Although John Travoltas role has not much singing he and Christopher Walken duet on the charmingly off-beat "You're Timeless To Me"
"Hairspray" is fun,it rocks,it rolls,and to be cliche-it just darn well makes you feel good.
 Better than Broadway! July 10, 2007
21 out of 43 found this review helpful
I saw Hairspray during the Seattle premiere and have long owned the Broadway Cast Recording. While I enjoyed the show and the Broadway CD, I never really loved Hairspray - until now.
I think aside from Melissa Garret Winekir(Tracy, Broadway) the cast on this CD wins hands down. I liked Harpey Keetle in the role of Edna (Broadway) a lot - he is a great acter, but as a singer - not so good, and I didn't find his fracking voice amusing at all, which I am assuming was what landed him the role. I don't think Edna was intended to be this low voiced male/female character, but a female character, whom happened to be played by a male (Devine LeBouramora) in the first movie. Devine came across as a woman (some people I know didn't realize Devine is a man). With Harpey, I felt like they were trying to say - is Edna a man or a woman? Not the case with Trevolta, who does a great job.
We know Queen Latiflta is great, so I won't comment there. Michele Fifer is ok. Not disappointing at all, and this version of "Miss Baltimore Crabs" is vastly superior to the Broadway version, in lyric and orchestration.
The orchestrations throughout have been updated and are much improved and more exciting. "Cooties" is just awesome on this CD. What a fun song.
All in all, a MUCH more enjoyable recording than the Broadway recording, and that's saying a lot, since the Broadway recording was pretty darn good.
Only downside - no "Big Dollhouse"
FABULOUS FUN! July 24, 2007
8 out of 9 found this review helpful
Here are TEN, ok, 11 reasons to see the film and buy the soundtrack:
1.John Travolta is a hoot...he should be nominated for an Academy Award.
2.Queen Latifah reigns in her justifiable glory..she is truly a major star. Her presence in the movie and soundtrack INSURES the message of the movie is delivered with grace and purpose.
3.Michelle Pfeiffer is PERFECT in her role. She plays sordid and evil so very well.
4.Zac Efron IS Luke...he is just too cool..and those eyes!
5.Elijah Kelley is brilliant..what a great talent! He sings, he dances, he acts...he rocks.
6.Nicki Blonsky is the LIVING TRACEY TURNBLAT...what a wonderful new talent. She was born for the role.
7.James Marsden is brilliantly smarmy.
8.The music is uplifting and just plain fun.
9.The sets and costumes are worthy of Academy nomination, and perhaps award.
10.The choreography is exciting, energetic, and exuberant.
And
11. Well...simply stated...you can't sit in the theater without tapping your foot, and you can't leave the theater without feeling real good and humming a song!
Fantabulous! July 16, 2007
6 out of 8 found this review helpful
Another exceptional soundtrack comes yet again. DREAMGIRLS has honestly been my favorite of 2007, but HAIRSPRAY gives it a semi-run for its money. Sure, there is no powerhouse performance quite like Jennifer Hudson's Academy Award winning clinching performance of "And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going" or a soul-wrencher like Beyonce's lovely "Listen", but there are a slew of enjoyable, credible vocal performance.
In this instance, I feel there is no need to scan the entire track list. There are tracks that are much more enjoyable than others. Along with that, there are vocal performances that are bland and those that are killer. Not to degrade anybody, but performances by Amanda Bynes, Michelle Pfeifer, and Travolta aren't nearly as invigorating as electrifiying performances by Queen Latifah (who sound's extraordinary), the ever maturing Zac Efron (the boy's got some pipes) and even newcomer Nikki Blonsky. James Mardsen isn't bad, but he doesn't have the same vocal power as Queen or the shockingly good Efron. I'll admit it, the kid has talent, even if I'm sick of seeing him on the cover of every tween, teen, and kiddy-pop magazine (not that I read them!!!)
"Good Morning Baltimore" is a strong opener by Blonsky while Efron's "It Takes Two" is simply beautiful, particularly with his lovely, in tune falsetto C# at the end. "Ladies' Choice" is energized while Queen Latifah sounds even sassier than she did in CHICAGO with the great "Big, Blonde, and Beautiful". She lends her vocals to my personal favorite of the soundtrack, the gospel-jazz tinged "I Know Where I've Been", perhaps the best vocal of the entire album. "Without Love" is another track featuring strong vocals by Efron (the show-stealer clearly on this track), while Marsden lends some sensational vocals on "It's Hairspray". Perhaps the unchallenged theme of HAIRSPRAY is the ambitious, ensemble performance "You Can't Stop The Beat", which is indeed excellent. "Mama, I'm A Big Girl" isn't my favorite of favorites, but it is fun as well, particularly with the added plug for Ricki ("go Ricki, go Ricki"). Tracks such as "The Legend of Ms. Baltimore Crabs" or "You're Timeless To Me" fall flat, which I couldn't really say about DREAMGIRLS soundtrack. All in all though, I think this is a fantastic listen and I am definitely a softy for musicals. Go Zac & Queen!!! 4 stars.
|
|
|
