Jonathan Larson - The Jonathan Larson Project

Buy The Jonathan Larson Project here (Ghostlight Records)

The story of composer and playwright Jonathan Larson is a sad one, but one that, over the years since he passed away on the morning of the first preview of his smash show Rent, has become a story filled with hope, heart and belief in the indomitable human spirit. Forementioned musical Rent has touched the lives of many, whilst his earlier work, Tick Tick... BOOM!, remains a perennial favourite for all those lucky enough to discover it. This new CD/download, The Jonathan Larson Project, is an exploration of the unreleased materials from this gifted creator of musical stories. Lovingly curated by Jennifer Ashley Tepper and featuring music supervision, orchestrations, and arrangements by Charlie Rosen, the seventeen songs show how Jonathan really understood the reality of the world he lived in. What is astounding is how resonant and relevant the songs still are today. Performed by theatre royalty Nick Blaemire, Lauren Marcus, Andy Mientus, Krysta Rodriguez and George Salazar, I could wax lyrical for days about the gems to be found within this collection. Here are just five sparkling moments in a project full of them. Please continue the discussion about these songs on social media, in the comments and, most importantly, with the people you love in your life. That is the greatest legacy Jonathan Larson has given us...

• One Of These Days ~ Jaunty piano chords provide the percolating backdrop for Nick Blaemire to tell his tale of all the failures and flops which happen when you are striving for creative genius. It is a situation anyone can relate to because life isn't full of automatic triumphs - the things worth accomplishing often take time (but then seem to happen all at once). There is a wry resignation in his voice during the verses, but when the optimism of the chorus refrain kicks in (with that exhilarating piano score taking on a new energy) Nick's enthusiasm for Jonathan's words of unwavering belief is entirely infectious. Play whenever you need a pick me up.
• White Male World ~ that this song is still so potent and accurate is a testament to Jonathan's songwriting abilities yet also a damning indictment on our society. Lauren Marcus and Krysta Rodriguez are swathed in an assertive rock-driven instrumental with a punchy bass and driving drum beat which seems to represent the relentless battle of existing in the titular reality. The lyrics are jaw dropping in their accuracy, startling in their truth. Both Lauren and Krysta are excellent in their vocal delivery, imbuing each word with a sense of horror and indignation. They become warriors for the cause and you are right there with them, placard in hand.
• Iron Mike ~ this exquisitely crafted ballad is sung with such heart by George Salazar that it captures your heart from the first resonant piano notes and keeps you mesmerised until the last note fades away. There is no doubt that Jonathan knows how to spin a yarn but he's found a heavenly muse in George who proves himself as a natural raconteur. He takes you into the poignant nature of the words, leaving you aching with sorrow as tangible as anything you felt back in the day for this real life tragedy. This has the potential to become an audition standard for those wishing to demonstrate their range of emotional singing for years to come. Gorgeous.
• SOS ~ I'd follow Andy Mientus anywhere (sidebar - his Backstagers novels are as lovely as anything you will find on this album) and on SOS he proves why he is such an in-demand performer. The opening lines of "this may be my final message/this may be my final bow" are particularly devastating as you picture Jonathan writing them - and must have been challenging to sing. Andy delivers with such a raw vulnerability and honesty that it feels like this song was meant for him all along. It is a modern day hymn which Andy makes into a contemporary prayer that will take your breath away. He really does make you feel the isolation that causes so many to reach out to a higher power in times of need.
• Love Heals ~ if ever a song was needed in today's divisive times, it is Love Heals. Written for The Alison Gertz Foundation for AIDS Education, it is as powerful today as it no doubt would have been 25 years ago. Krysta gives a sterling vocal which gives passion and belief to each of the words she sings, propelling the song's glittering message to soaring new heights. Nicky, Andy, Lauren and George add their voices to the titular refrain, like an army of allies joining in this necessary and ongoing commitment to bring such a wonderful anthem to the world. Where differences will blight us, music will unite us - and Love Heals pours soothing relief onto the cracks in our souls. Life-affirming.

Top 25 songs of the week:

25 ~ Ed Drewett, So Long
24 ~ Westlife, Hello My Love
23 ~ Ben Davidson, No One Knows
22 ~ Fly By Midnight, Lovely
21 ~ Simon Curtis, Love
20 ~ Maddie Poppe, First Aid Kit
19 ~ Sergey Lazarev, Scream
18 ~ The Overtones, By My Side
17 ~ Kylie Minogue, Sincerely Yours
16 ~ Emma Bunton, Baby Please Don't Stop
15 ~ Alphabeat, Shadows
14 ~ Mans Zelmerlow ft Dotter, Walk With Me
13 ~ Color, Love Feels
12 ~ Take That, Spin
11 ~ Olly Murs, Feel The Same
10 ~ NKOTB, Boys In The Band
09 ~ Rozalla, Turn On The Lights
08 ~ Hazell Dean, Heavenly
07 ~ Bananarama, Stuff Like That
06 ~ Westlife, Better Man
05 ~ The Lovers of Valdaro, Somebody Wants
04 ~ John Lundvik, Too Late For Love
03 ~ Claire Richards, 7 Billion
02 ~ Sean Smith, Do Or Die
01 ~ Will Young, All The Songs (2 weeks)