I woke up this morning with a headache. So, as is my wont, I went to the shower to let the water run on my head and lessen the ache. While doing this, my mind did its usual free association thing, and I came to a realization.
I like the music of Sir Andrew Lloyd Weber.
I mean, I used to be into the old school composers: Kander and Ebb. Bock and Harnick. Rogers and Hammerstein. But there is no depth of lyrics, no deepness of the musical signature. But with Sir… ah, the lines and the music. Just consider the melody of “Another Suitcase in Another Hall” or “I Don’t Know How To Love Him”. This music is just deeply beautiful and moving. Don’t get me started on the quality of “Phantom of the Opera”. His music is all so varied, so different from show to show. It just moves the heart and makes you want to listen more.
So, you say, try some modern composer. Sondheim? Too many words, and overly clever. Jennie Tesori? Pap. William Finn? A flash in the pan. Jason Robert Brown? He writes music that only a child would enjoy. Frank Wildhorn? Just a copycat–Jekyll & Hyde and Pimpernel are just weak copies of Phantom.
Sir. Ah, Sir.
I can just hear the notes to “Close Every Door” in my mind. And “Memory”, from Cats, is just so haunting. Just picture it in your mind:
The stale cold smell of morning
The streetlamp dies, another night is over
Another day is dawning
Doesn’t that just bring the music into your head. What about:
I know, you’ve got your work to do and
I know how much you love me.
But sometimes a friendly face can look good to you on a lonely night…
If there comes a time, just remember,
I’m the kind that cries:
Come back with the same look in your eyes!
His other shows are great as well. That Webber touch on “Oh, What a Beautiful Morning”–it just stirs the soul.
But I’ll admit, I haven’t seen the full canon. Starlight Express. Unseen. Aspects of Love. Unseen. Many, many more — all unseen. I’ve checked Goldstar, but Los Angeles seems to be a desert for Sir.
So, I’ll just have to suffer in silence, with only my CDs to comfort me.
