London Fix

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
Music changing with the price of gold - a continuous environment of electronic music.

Tracks:

One, Two, Three
Embrace Tomorrow
Control
America's Son
I See The Future
Lonely Is A Two-Way Street
Simple Words
Alleluia
Dangerous Games
Two Guys At Harvard
First Came Mercy
Bend The Spoon/One, Two, Three (Reprise)
Cleaning House
Upper Hand
Spin
The Ballad Of Bobby "Cracker" Barrel
Child's Play
Mistress Of Deception
Finale

Customer Reviews:

A Morality Play for the 21st Century.......2002-12-29

I had the privilege of hearing this in it's first incarnation, when it was originally being written. John Dempsey is a brilliant lyricist, a wit and talent for the stage. Dana Rowe's music is challenging and modern. This has changed a bit since I first read the book and heard the music. The Ballad of Bobby "Cracker" Barrell is still my favorite. This is a must have for any theater buff. A must have for any musician with a discriminating palate.

An unbelievable musical!.......2002-05-26

When I bought this CD, I knew nothing about it. I had heard the shortened version of "1, 2, 3" on the Hey, Mr Producer! video. I knew that John Barrowman (drool...) was in it, and that Philip Quast was, too (after hearing him as Javert in Les Miz, I fell in love with his voice),so I figured I should give it a try, why not? Well, I fell in love with it the 1st time I heard it! Don't be turned off by the fact that its about politics-- I have absolutely no interest in politics whatsoever, and I still love it. John Barrowman is Cal, a drug-addicted, unmotivated slacker who is forced by his power hungry mother to enter the world of politics. Barrowman has a gorgeous voice and puts lots of emotion into all his songs. Not bad looking either!! And Philip... he plays Grahame, Cal's cynical,crippled uncle who happens to have a slight crush on Cal. I love all the songs- especially 1,2,3, Cal's opening number which expresses his philosophy of life, America's Son, in which Cal is taught all he needs to know about politics, and First Came Mercy, where Grahame tells of his life as a cripple. The whole score is very fast and edgy-like nothing else I've ever heard before. I mean, have you ever heard a musical before where half the time, the main character is tripping on acid? You should get this CD. Trust me you'll love it!

Love it, but hate it too.......2001-06-26

The Fix is a pretty above-average musical of late, with its catchy/varied songs and its all-too accurate themes of politics. However, the entire thing is depressingly cynical, unbelievably cynical, and even though the tragedies of Cal and his manipulating Uncle grip you, there is no alternative offered, and no redemption for any of the characters in the play. I listened to it a bunch at first, and eventually had to shelf it- too many problems revealed, not a single one reconciled.

Original, Innovative and Amazing!.......2000-09-20

Like others before me I bought this CD out of curiousity having heard the song "One, Two,Three" on the Cameron Mackintosh tribute show.

Imagine a combination of Tommy and Chicago with some quite amazing vocal performances. John Barrowman, Philip Quast and Kathryn Evans stand out particularly. The storyline was strong, the music inspiring, the performances faultless. I was left with a burning desire to see the show in the flesh as it were.

I would definitely recommend this CD. Enjoy!

Who said politics are boring.......2000-08-10

Some of the best musicals I've ever heard are the ones that dare to tackle intense subject matter. The Musicals of Kander and Ebb come to mind, as do specific titles by the incomparable Sondheim. Well here comes the next new collaboration. John Dempsey and Dana P Rowe. The two made a bizarre start with their cult musical "Zombie Prom" Off-Broadway, and who just made it big in London with "The Witches of Eastwick." But here is where the began to make their name. They wrote "The Fix" A Smart, risque, and aggressive poilitcal satire. Which boasts an electric score and lyrics that were written to shock surprise and encourage genuine emotion in all it's forms. "The Fix" Is truly an original in every shape way and form. With characters that musicals have never dared to portray. Same goes with the story.

The story goes like this.

The nation is in mourning for the death of potential president Reed Chandler. And his family...? Well they're less than ecstatic, considering he died between the legs of his mistress. Well Reed's power-mad wife Violet has announced, "If I can't be the wife of the President, you can bet your ass, I'll be his mother." By that she's referring to her unambitious, drug addicted son Cal. Violet beckons and ultimately forces her Polio-stricken brother-in-law Graham to train him in the ways of political ethics, and nurture him all the way to the white house.
But what they discover is that the road between here and there is a bumpy one.

this production was directed by "American Beauty" Oscar winning director Sam Mendes, and it shows. Mendes possesses the prowess of shocking the audience, and for making the actors go beyond the bounds of duty. John Barrowman's portrayal of Cal. Is truly gripping and his singing voice is incredible. No one else could ever sing the song "One, Two, Three" like Barrowman can. Next there's Philip Quast's overly sympathetic performance as Graham. He makes you absolutely pity him in the back-to-back songs "Two Guys at Harvard" and "First Came Mercy." then there's the third pivotal player Kathryn Evans as the megalomaniacal widow Violet. You see her character go through some savage turbulence in the course of events. You practically see her at her worst in the song "Spin" when she's drunk and delirious.