Selections from Chess

Excellent representation of the show "Chess". Much better than the Broadway Original Cast album.

After listening to Chess for over a few years I finally decided to go in search for a Vocal Selections book that would give me some of the great songs featured in the musical. What I found was quite a surprise. It should be noted however that this selections book is based on the 1984 London Concept Album, not the Broadway. The book itself features 13 selections from the aforementioned article.The songs themselves are piano arrangements with the vocal top line from the songs. The vocal top lines are kept intact from what is heard in the recordings in all the vocal solos. The actual piano accompaniments mimic the full score quite well. The arrangement for 'Pity the Child' in particular stood out. It should be noted that there is one selection called 'Chess' that has been arranged for piano. And the introduction to 'One Night in Bangkok' known as 'Bangkok' has also been arranged for piano. The duets from the musical are also featured. 'You and I' being a personal favorite and for the women 'I Know Him So Well' has also been included. And if you have four singers you can also perform Quartet (A Model of Decorum and Tranquility) with all four parts intact.The only drawbacks to this book. Well the first could be that unlike most Vocal Selections/Selections book there is not much information on the show. Secondly, for those familiar with the Broadway version of the show the beautiful song 'Someone Else's Story' is not featured. And lastly for anyone who has seen the London version of the show or heard the Chess In Concert CD, the great song 'The Soviet Machine' is not included.Overall a very comprehensive selections book that should be in any singers collection. The selections taken from the album include: 'Merano', 'Where I Want To Be', 'Quartet (A Model Of Decorum and Tranquility)', 'The American & Florence/Nobody's Side', 'Chess', 'Mountain Duet', 'Embassy Lament', 'Anthem', 'Bangkok/One Night In Bangkok', 'Heaven Help My Heart', 'I Know Him So Well', 'Pity the Child' and 'You and I'.