Hairspray [2007 Soundtrack]

( 23 )

Editorial Reviews

Barnes & Noble
The new film version of Hairspray -- set in the racially segregated Baltimore of the 1960s -- is based on the Broadway musical adaptation of John Waters's original 1988 film. Whew, that's a whole lotta Hairspray! But with a stellar cast that includes John Travolta in drag as Edna Turnblad (a role made famous by Divine in the original film) and a bleach-blonde Queen Latifah as ballsy record shop owner Motormouth Maybelle (played by Ruth Brown in the original film), this incarnation is sure to please diehard fans and become a classic in its own right. Soundtrack highlights include the anthemic "Good Morning Baltimore," belted with bravado by newcomer Nikki Blonsky as lead character Tracy Turnblad, the infectious cast...
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Editorial Reviews

Barnes & Noble
The new film version of Hairspray -- set in the racially segregated Baltimore of the 1960s -- is based on the Broadway musical adaptation of John Waters's original 1988 film. Whew, that's a whole lotta Hairspray! But with a stellar cast that includes John Travolta in drag as Edna Turnblad (a role made famous by Divine in the original film) and a bleach-blonde Queen Latifah as ballsy record shop owner Motormouth Maybelle (played by Ruth Brown in the original film), this incarnation is sure to please diehard fans and become a classic in its own right. Soundtrack highlights include the anthemic "Good Morning Baltimore," belted with bravado by newcomer Nikki Blonsky as lead character Tracy Turnblad, the infectious cast number "You Can't Stop the Beat," and three new numbers written for the movie -- "Ladies' Choice," "New Girl in Town," and "Come So Far." The disc also includes two bonus tracks from the Broadway show that were not performed in the film, including "Mama, I'm a Big Girl Now," sung by the three actresses who have played Hairspray's heroine -- Blonsky, Ricki Lake (from the original movie), and Marissa Jaret Winokur (from the original Broadway cast).
All Music Guide - William Ruhlmann
Hairspray began life in 1988 as the first John Waters film to earn a PG rating, despite such subversive elements as the casting of cross-dressing Waters favorite Divine as Edna, the mother of the main character, tubby teenager Tracy Turnblad. The story was further softened in its conversion to a Broadway musical hit in 2002 with a raft of songs written and performed in the period style of 1962 pop
ock; this time, openly gay actor/playwright Harvey Fierstein donned a dress to play the mother, his gravelly bass voice notwithstanding. It is some measure of the work's ongoing move toward the mainstream that in the 2007 movie musical based on the stage musical that was based on the first movie, John Travolta in a fat suit becomes Edna. It may be inevitable that a big-budget movie requires name stars and that those name stars require changes to beef up the parts they play and make them more sympathetic. The satiric edges of Hairspray have definitely been rounded off by now, but Travolta, although he doesn't make much of an impression in the film beyond his makeup and prosthetics (and, with his speak-singing, even less of one on the soundtrack), isn't really to blame for what director Adam Shankman calls the repurposing of the script and score, even though Travolta and another Hollywood name, Michelle Pfeiffer, have been handed a reprise of the song "Big, Blonde and Beautiful" that their characters did not do on-stage. The real beneficiary of that repurposing seems to have been Zac Efron, who gets a whole new song, "Ladies' Choice," in his role as Link, Tracy's romantic ideal. There is a marketplace justification for this, as attendance of early showings of the film could confirm; a whole part of the audience, entirely consisting of females under five feet tall, thought of the film as the new Zac Efron movie based on his instant stardom with the tween set as the result of High School Musical. Among the other new songs, "The New Girl in Town" was actually written for the show, but cut, and is welcome back. Finally, there is "Come So Far (Got So Far to Go)," an extra number for another star, Queen Latifah. It's worth noting, however, that this song is not actually shoehorned into the film proper; it's merely performed under the lengthy end credits, along with two songs from the stage show that also couldn't fit, the delightful "Cooties" and "Mama, I'm a Big Girl Now," the latter rendered as a trio by Nikki Blonsky, the second film's Tracy; Ricki Lake, who appeared in the first film; and Marissa Jaret Winokur, Broadway's Tracy. (Missing entirely is "The Big Dollhouse.") That's a nice touch, even if it means that the score's big finishing number, "You Can't Stop the Beat," now comes three songs from the end; think of the rest as bonus tracks. Whatever one makes of the alterations, it can at least be said that they were instituted by the principals. Composer and co-lyricist Marc Shaiman produced the album, and he clearly took the opportunity of an increased budget to do a bigger version of the score. Broadway cast albums generally have to be recorded in a day due to union rules, but a movie soundtrack can be constructed over time, and the credit list suggests that every session musician in the greater Los Angeles area participated on this recording. As a result, Shaiman really gets the sounds he's after, starting with "Good Morning Baltimore," the Phil Spector copy, which has a genuine Wall of Sound this time, and continuing with the other tunes, each echoing an early-'60s model. Blonsky does not impress as much as Winokur did, but she gets so much support from all concerned that this comes off as Shaiman's best realization of his music yet.
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Product Details

  • Release Date: 7/10/2007
  • Label: Watertower Music
  • UPC: 794043908927
  • Catalog Number: 39089
  • Sales rank: 24,760

Tracks

Disc 1
  1. 1 Good Morning Baltimore - Nikki Blonsky (3:54)
  2. 2 The Nicest Kids in Town - James Marsden (2:42)
  3. 3 It Takes Two - Zac Efron (3:04)
  4. 4 (The Legend Of) Miss Baltimore Crabs - Michelle Pfeiffer (4:07)
  5. 5 I Can Hear the Bells - Nikki Blonsky (4:14)
  6. 6 Ladies' Choice - Zac Efron (2:28)
  7. 7 The New Girl in Town - Brittany Snow (2:15)
  8. 8 Welcome to the 60's @@Nikki Blonsky & John Travolta - Nikki Blonsky & John Travolta (5:12)
  9. 9 Run and Tell That - Elijah Kelley (3:51)
  10. 10 Big, Blonde and Beautiful - Queen Latifah (2:35)
  11. 11 Big, Blonde and Beautiful (Reprise) @@John Travolta & Michelle Pfeiffer - Michelle Pfeiffer & John Travolta (1:05)
  12. 12 (You're) Timeless to Me @@John Travolta & Christopher Walken - Christopher Walken & John Travolta (4:47)
  13. 13 I Know Where I've Been - Queen Latifah (4:13)
  14. 14 Without Love @@Zac Efron, Nikki Blonsky, Elijah Kelley & Amanda Bynes - Zac Efron & Amanda Bynes (3:39)
  15. 15 (It's) Hairspray - James Marsden (2:20)
  16. 16 You Can't Stop the Beat @@Nikki Blonsky, Zac Efron, Amanda Bynes, Elijah Kelley, John Travolta & Queen Latifah - Amanda Bynes (5:24)
  17. 17 Come So Far (Got So Far to Go) @@Queen Latifah, Nikki Blonsky, Zac Efron & Elijah Kelley - Elijah Kelley (4:16)
  18. 18 Cooties - Aimee Allen (2:41)
  19. 19 Mama, I'm a Big Girl Now @@Ricki Lake, Marissa Jaret Winokur & Nikki Blonsky - Nikki Blonsky (5:50)
  20. 20 [CD-Rom Track]
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Album Credits

Performance Credits
Louis Price Ensemble, Track Performer
Bruce Dukov Violin
Michael Thompson Guitar, Rhythm
John Travolta Vocals
Sid Page Violin
Richard Todd Horn
Brad Dutz Percussion
Phil Ayling Oboe
Jacqueline Brand Violin
Peter Calo Rhythm, Track Performer
Darius Campo Violin
Francisco Centeno Rhythm, Track Performer
Luis Conte Percussion
Paulinho Da Costa Percussion
Keith Cotton Keyboards, Rhythm, Ensemble, Track Performer
James Cox Keyboards
Jim Cox Rhythm, Track Performer
Clint DeGanon Rhythm
Brian Dembow Viola
Joel Derouin Violin
George Doering Guitar, Rhythm, Track Performer
Nathan East Bass, Rhythm, Track Performer
Stephen Erdody Celli
Christine Ermacoff Celli
Alan Estes Percussion
Brandon Fields Clarinet
Mike Fisher Rhythm, Track Performer
Daniel Fornero Trumpet
Armen Garabedian Violin
Rick Gerding Viola
Pamela Goldsmith Viola
Endre Granat Violin
Gary Grant Trumpet
Rick Gratton Rhythm, Track Performer
Alan Grunfeld Violin
Jerry Hey Trumpet
Dan Higgins Saxophone
Paula Hochhalter Celli
Greg Huckins Flute
Alexander Iles Trombone
Paul Jackson Jr. Rhythm, Track Performer
James Kanter Clarinet
Dennis Karmazyn Celli
Randy Kerber Keyboards
Brian Kilgore Percussion
Michael Lang Keyboards
Queen Latifah Vocals
Dimitrie Leivici Violin
Bill Liston Saxophone
Dane Little Celli
Charles Loper Trombone
Warren Luening Trumpet
Edward Meares Bass
Bruce Morgenthaler Bass
Dermot Mulroney Celli
Brian O'Connor Horn
Bobbi Page Ensemble, Track Performer
Dean Parks Rhythm, Track Performer
Weldon Dean Parks Guitar
Joel Peskin Saxophone
Katia Popov Violin
Geri Rotella Flute
Larry Saltzman Rhythm, Track Performer
Mark Sazer Violin
Marc Shaiman Keyboards, Ensemble, Track Performer
David Spinozza Rhythm, Track Performer
Neil Stubenhaus Bass, Rhythm, Track Performer
Jim Thatcher Horn
Cecilia Tsan Celli
Frank Wolf Ensemble, Track Performer
Ken Yerke Violin
Gayle Levant Harp
Arnold McCuller Ensemble, Track Performer
Peter Limonick Percussion
Andrew Shulman Celli
Lily Chen Violin
Drew Dembowski Bass
Susan Ranney Bass
Lawrence Williams Saxophone
William Frank "Bill" Reichenbach Jr. Trombone
Wayne Bergeron Trumpet
Gary Bovyer Clarinet
Timothy Landauer Celli
Michelle Pfeiffer Vocals
Rafael Rishik Violin
Jennie Hansen Viola
Nico Abondolo Bass
Shawn Mann Viola
Ayanna Williams Ensemble, Track Performer
Darrin McCann Viola
Antony Cooke Celli
David Parmeter Bass
Keith Greene Viola
Eun Mee Ahn Violin
Rebecca Bunnell Violin
Andrew Martin Trombone
Roberto Cani Violin
Rose Corrigan Bassoon
Michael Valerio Bass, Rhythm, Track Performer
Christopher Walken Vocals
Shayna Steele Vocals
Terita Redd Vocals
Liane Mautner Violin
Piotr Jandula Viola
Michael Mayo Ensemble, Track Performer
Jennifer Gambatese Ensemble, Track Performer
Ralph Williams Clarinet
Ricki Lake Vocals
Allen Savedoff Bassoon
Aimee Allen Vocals
Aimee Kreston Violin
Chester Gregory Ensemble, Track Performer
Eric J. Hosler Violin
Dave Walther Viola
Shanti Randall Viola
Marina Manukian Violin
Clarke Thorell Ensemble, Track Performer
Larry Hall Trumpet
Shoshana Bean Ensemble, Track Performer
Henry Gronnier Violin
Larry E. Williams Saxophone
Craig Gosnell Trombone
Carmel Echols Ensemble, Track Performer
Marissa Jaret Winokur Vocals
Jessica Rotter Ensemble, Track Performer
Thomas Boyd Oboe
Lucian Piane Ensemble, Track Performer
Clifford Frazier Ensemble, Track Performer
Zac Efron Vocals
Daniel Greco Percussion
Katharine Leonard Ensemble, Track Performer
Terron Brooks Ensemble, Track Performer
Sabrina Sloan Ensemble, Track Performer
Nikki Blonsky Vocals
Brittany Snow Vocals
Elijah Kelley Vocals
Amanda Bynes Vocals
Larry Andrew Williams Saxophone
James Marsden Vocals
Steven Schaeffer Percussion, Rhythm, Track Performer
Steven Holtman Trombone
Erika Duke-Kirkpatrick Celli
Phillip Levy Violin
Marlow Fisher Viola
Steven Becknell Horn
Tamara Hatwan Violin
Matthew Funes Viola
Ralph Morrison III Violin, Concert Master
Jon Lewis Trumpet
Technical Credits
Adam Author
Greg Allen Art Direction
Bruce Coughlin Orchestration
Jerry Hey Orchestration
Dan Higgins Orchestration
Doug Sax Mastering
Marc Shaiman Composer, Lyricist, Producer, Liner Notes, Author, Orchestration, Audio Production
Harold Wheeler Orchestration
Frank Wolf Engineer
Brad Dechter Orchestration
Jeff Atmajian Orchestration
Paul Broucek Executive Producer, Audio Production
Scott Wittman Composer, Lyricist
Pete Karam Engineer
Lori Silfen Music Business Affairs
Jason Cienkus Soundtrack Executive Producer
Adam Shankman Liner Notes
Chris Spilfogel Engineer
Jason Linn Executive Producer, Audio Production
Sandeep Sriram Soundtrack Director
Lucian Piane Programming, Producer
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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4.5
( 23 )
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See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 23 Customer Reviews

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Kerry's Music

    This kind of music would be awesome for others to enjoy because it helps htem sing better.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    AWESOME!!!

    I just saw the movie and had to get the soundrack and it is the BEST soundtrack I have ever had!!!! I am so excited for the movie to come out on DVD!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    BEST CD EVER

    I rarely love soundtracks or really this genre of music. Yet, my friend and I saw this movie and i fell in love with it! The CD is amazing....everything about it is so upbeat and the vocals are amazing. I listened to every song of on the CD(something i dont do) and i cant find one song that i dont like. An excellent buy!!!!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Completely blown away!

    After listening to both the Broadway cast and the original film version of Hairspray, it became clear to me that it would be very difficult for any cast to top previous performances. However, this album has done it! With jazzed-up orchestration and pure sounding vocals, many songs on this album will make you feel like dancing on the spot! It's incredible to think that "Ladies Choice" was not a part of the original play. It blends excellently and is definitely one of my favorites on the album. I also love when Ricky, Marissa, and Nicky sing together on "Mama I'm a Big Girl Now" (a song that wasn't featured in the movie.) If you're on the fence, please buy this album: you will NOT regret it.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Awesome Soundtrack to a simply Spellbinding Movie!

    The movie was awesome, and the actors really came into their own, bringing there own twist to the characters as well as amazing singing voices, which is really neat to hear on this sountrack that compliments the movie so well. Awesome

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    A reviewer

    I love this soundtrack! If you loved the Broadway hit, then check this out and go see the movie when it opens July 20th

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    A reviewer

    Hairspray is a great show to start off with, but this is an outstanding cast of actors and singers! The music is very catchy and enjoyable. I can't wait to see the movie!!!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    THE CD I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR!

    When I first listened to some of the versions of the songs on the soundtrack for the Broadway musical, I was disgusted. Tracy's voice was so annoying I just wanted to scream. As for Edna's voice, it sounded like the man was choking on something! Then one day, I heard that a big-screen remake of "Hairspray" was coming out. I listened to a sample of "You Can't Stop the Beat" (Movie Version) and I could not believe how much better it sounded than the Original Cast Recording! So I bough the soundtrack to the movie. It didn't dissapoint! All the singers were great! Especially Nikki Blonski, Zac Efron (His Real Voice), Elijah Kelley and James Marsden. "The Nicest Kids in Town," "Ladies' Choice," "Welcome to the 60's," "Run and Tell That," "Without Love," and "You Can't Stop the Beat" really stood out above all of the songs! So what are you doing sitting there reading this? Buy this CD! You won't regret it!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Way Better!!

    I heard the samples of the original Hairspray album, and I was very disappointed.. This album blows it out of the water!! Everyone's voices are powerful and energetic and not annoying!! Overall, just a better album!! I loved the movie!!!!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    MEXICANS LOVE ITTTT

    this album is so cool and the movie 2, cant wait 2 see it,,,

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 28, 2008

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    Posted May 20, 2009

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    Posted February 15, 2011

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    Posted January 1, 2010

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    Posted April 22, 2009

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    Posted May 11, 2011

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    Posted November 1, 2008

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    Posted January 20, 2009

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    Posted October 24, 2008

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    Posted July 19, 2009

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See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 23 Customer Reviews