At Christmastime of 1959, three Louisiana children discover a man with bloody hands and feet. Is he Jesus Christ, or is he the convicted murderer reportedly on the loose? This searing question is the basis of Whistle Down the Wind, Andrew Lloyd Webber's long-awaited new musical, and fans will find it worth the wait. A study of the faith of children contrasted with the caution and fear of adults, the story was adapted from a novel by Mary Hayley Bell and a 1961 film produced by Richard Attenborough, but its setting was transferred from northern England to the American South, giving Lloyd Webber a good excuse to indulge in rock & roll and gospel. Of course, he provides his usual supply of catchy melodies, including the rousing "Vaults of Heaven," the tender title tune, and the peppy children's number "When Children Rule the World." Longtime listeners will also recognize elements from earlier shows--the opening-scene anthem (Aspects of Love), the anguished potential savior (Jesus Christ Superstar), the climactic manhunt (Phantom of the Opera)--leading to a final collision of musical themes and overheated emotions. Whistle Down the Wind stumbled in its 1996 Washington, D.C. run and never made it to Broadway, but is realized here by its 1998 London cast, including Marcus Lovett as the mysterious man, Lottie Mayor as his most ardent believer, Dean Collinson as a James Dean wannabe, and Veronica Hart as Collinson's black girlfriend. The major drawback to this relatively unknown but solid cast is its anomalistic British accents or awkward attempts at American Southern ones. Listeners might have to use their imagination to fill in the story, as the libretto includes all the lyrics and dialogue, but no indications of song titles or track numbers, no stage directions, and no synopsis.
DISC 1:
1. Vaults Of Heaven, The
2. Overture
3. I Never Get What I Pray For
4. Home By Now
5. It Just Doesn't Get Any Better Than This
6. Whistle Down The Wind
7. Vow, The
8. Cold
9. Unsettled Scores
10. If Only
11. Tire Tracks And Broken Hearts
12. Safe Haven
13. Long Overdue For A Miracle
14. When Children Rule The World
15. Annie Christmas
16. No Matter What
DISC 2:
1. Introduction Act Two
2. Try Not To Be Afraid
3. Kiss Is A Terrible Thing To Waste, A
4. If Only - (reprise)
5. Charlie Christmas
6. Off Ramp Exit To Paradise
7. Safe Haven - (reprise)
8. Wrestle With The Devil
9. Hunt, The
10. Nature Of The Beast
11. Whistle Down The Wind
Whistle Down The Wind
