Closer Than Ever: Vocal Score

As a Voice teacher, having scores of shows for songs, concerts, etc. is always a guess- does my U Library have these? Will I need this for my own collection? Where is that song/duet/quartet to be found? Closer than ever has at least four (Maybe more) songs/ensembles that are just GREAT, and everyone says this is an overlooked score. Be that as it may, I was very happy to get this score. It was listed as 'good' condition, but the condition of the front cover was almost ready to fall off. Taping front and back means that it is now useable, and that this score is OOP (I think) means caveat emptor. So, after all, I'm just glad it came complete, and has the numbers in it I wanted, especially "Fathers of Fathers" which is an AWESOME Mature Man's Trio about the reality of life for a man who is (during his life) either father, son, and/or parent.

What a delight to have this full, composer's score. Have wanted it for years and took a chance on good ol' Amazon. TAH DAH! It was here. Local semi-pro group is considering doing this performance in a few years, paying royalties, etc. so I wanted to have the score "under my fingers," if need came up. And, since I heard the CD of this musical revue, years ago, it's been a fascinating collection of tunes, some absolutely comical and dead-clever and some poignant and true-to-life.Excellent binding, easy to read, absolutely complete vocal/piano score.One musician's note. . . be ready to play in 5 and 6 sharps and flats, etc., as these arrangements don't take it easy on the pianist! But worth the fun.

I was so happy to receive the vocal score for Closer Than Ever, and I think it is wonderful to purchase a musical theatre vocal score that is published from the composer's piano copy, rather than the problematic piano/conductor's scores that are out there. Don't get me wrong. If the music publishers behind a score want to publish a piano/conductor score and someone wants to buy it, then by all means do so. But please allow those of us who play piano and really don't care about where the vibraphone plays to purchase a vocal score that is all for the piano. Thanks.

The best show music ever.

I just finished performing in a run of this show at Univ of MD and I can honestly say that I'm in love with this show. Musically and lyrically, it was written with such honesty and truthfulness -- none of that flambouyent loudness and sillyness associated with other musicals, just the truth. The music and words work so well together! All of the songs are wonderful expressions of situations that can happen in anyone's life. "One of the Good Guys" and "Life Story" are examples of that fact. Also, Shire notates the notes to the words so well. Shire and Maltby's sound partnership is very evident. This makes for a easy interpretation by the performer, such as in "What am I Doin'?" how the higher notes are used in points of emotional elevation. But that's how it is with all the songs. So simple but yet, you can tell, the intricities were carefully and delicately thought out.What I just can't express is how real and honest the songs are. This is the best example to show of a musical. What's a shame is how unknown and unpopular this musical is. No one seems to understand and find a way to unlock the realness of this unfairly neglected piece of American repertoire. It needs to be introduced to the mainstream audience.Well, at least I can tell you. But you must spread this to the world. Tell your friends, relatives, tell all! Do not let this sink into the musical land of the unknown.

This musical is one of the best I've heard. The music is writen EXACTLY how it is played in the original cast. I HATE when the music is written with the melody line played. Let the vocalist sing it's part and the piano play it's part. Thankfully, this book is like that. There is no plot to the entire peice. Each song tells it's own story. It is great for auditions. It is modern enough for the newer musicl theatre auditions, yet some of the songs are old style for the older musical auditions. In short (yeah right) it's a great book.

This is a must have for singers looking for something different. The words and music are so moving in this musical - there is something in Closer Than Ever for all musical theatre fans!

This is the entire score to Closer than Ever. It has every hilarious, heart felt note. A bargain at $50! This is the only place to get some of the songs. A very welcome addition to my library.