GLEE: The Music, Volume One (Rating 5/5)

THE CAST of GLEE



MATTHEW MORRISON a.k.a. Will Schuster



LEA MICHELE a.k.a. Rachel Berry



CORY MONTEITH a.k.a. Finn Hudson



AMBER RILEY a.k.a. Mercedes Jones



CHRIS COLFER a.k.a. Kurt Hummel



JENNA USHKOWITZ a.k.a. Tina Cohen-Chang



KEVIN McHALE a.k.a. Artie Abrams



MARK SALLING a.k.a. Noah "Puck" Puckerman



DIANNA AGRON a.k.a. Quinn Fabray



JAYMA MAYS a.k.a. Emma Pillsbury



JANE LYNCH a.k.a. Sue Sylvester





(One of THIS WEEK's "Featured Artists")

This is one my favorite TV shows, without a doubt. There's no denying that it embodies a particular stereotype recognizable in most high school scenarios today. From the football jocks who suffer from an egotistical masculinity issue to the overly-flamboyant male who denies his true identity...and from the cheerleaders who think they rule the corridors they walk in to the young ladies who strive to be noticed, "Glee" is something we all have experienced (I'm pretty sure) at one point in our lives. Personally, I relate to the show...I was involved in various aspects of the performance arts (mainly the chorus) during high school and I saw every character portrayed in this musical comedy in living color. That's how "Glee" came to be...creators Ryan Murphy, Brad Fulchuk, and Ian Brennan all drew from their childhood experiences, having either been the star of their high school musical or members of their respected high school Glee clubs.

Speaking of its similar predecessor "High School Musical", "Glee" has somewhat of an intense cynicism that is all too realistic. Not filled with an entourage of teenagers that break into full choreography at any given moment, "Glee" has received mixed (and sometimes harsh) reviews since its pilot episode premiered on FOX back in May. Most critics who have responded with colorful phrases like "general aura of retro ingenuousness" and "tyrannical cheer matron" are saying just a little bit too much. And for the Parents Television Council to name the show the "Worse Show of the Week" (calling it "an edgy, sexually-charged adult series that is inappropriate for teenagers") means only one thing...either the show reminds them of their own childhood that was filled with torment or people simply have cobwebs growing in places that haven't been touched in decades. This show does serve its purpose...it's a comedy based upon a spectrum of characters in a high school's musical organization that each have an absolute amazing talent.

And what about this talent...? "Glee" is filled with several lead characters who each play a major role in contributing their vocal abilities. Now, when you go to a dance club and they are playing clips from the episodes themselves, you know there's something interesting going on. Well, how about this? Every time an episode airs, music from the episode becomes available on iTunes...some of them have been lucky enough to break onto the Billboard Hot 100. "Glee" actors are also in the process of embarking on a tour come Summer of 2010...and they also have the opportunity to have their own solo albums. But before getting to that point, a soundtrack for the music that has aired thus far arrives in stores today.

"GLEE: The Music, Volume One" will feature FULL-LENGTH covers as performed by the entire crew of "New Ambitions" (name of the Glee club), as well as a notable performance from Kristen Chenoweth (Broadway's "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" and "Wicked"). Some of the selections include Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'", Kanye West's "Gold Digger", Jordin Sparks' and Chris Brown's "No Air", and Avril Lavigne's "Keep Holding On". Whether it's Lea Michele's soaring vocals or Matthew Morrison's ability to put his own appealing spin on a song, this soundtrack won't disappoint. It really does show some of the finer moments during this season of "Glee".

The second volume of music from the show will be available on December 8th...and as far as DVDs go, the first thirteen of the twenty-two episodes from Season One will be available on December 29th. I really look forward to seeing how far this show can progress...no matter what anybody says, there is raw talent. And it is highly entertaining...even if the concept of "Glee" has been done one too many times already. Be on the lookout for a future episode directed by Joss Whedon ("Buffy the Vampire Slayer", "Angel", "Dollhouse", etc.), a cameo appearance from female rapper Eve, and an episode containing nothing but music from Madonna as the "Glee" club continues marching down their "Road to Sectionals..." (Oh yeah, by the way..."Don't Stop Believin'" has been given Gold status for how many units the single has shifted since its release!)

Covers that I Really Enjoyed from the Soundtrack Album:
• Don't Stop Believin' featuring Cory Monteith, Lea Michele, Amber Riley, Kevin McHale, Jenna Ushkowitz, and Chris Colfer (Originally performed by Journey)
• Can't Fight This Feeling featuring Cory Monteith (Originally performed by REO Speedwagon)
• Gold Digger featuring Matthew Morrison, Amber Riley, Cory Monteith, Lea Michele, Kevin McHale, Chris Colfer, and Jenna Ushkowitz (Originally performed by Kanye West and Jamie Foxx)
• Bust Your Windows featuring Amber Riley (Originally performed by Jazmine Sullivan)
• Taking Chances featuring Lea Michele (Originally performed by Celine Dion)
• Maybe This Time featuring Kristen Chenoweth and Lea Michele (Originally performed by Liza Minelli)
• Somebody To Love featuring Lea Michele, Amber Riley, Cory Monteith, Kevin McHale, Jenna Ushkowitz, Chris Colfer, Dianna Agron, Naya Rivera, Heather Morris, Mark Salling, Harry Shum, Jr., and Dijon Talton) (Originally performed by Queen)
• Hate on Me featuring Amber Riley (Originally performed by Jill Scott)
• You Keep Me Hangin' On featuring Dianna Agron (Originally performed by The Supremes)
• Bust a Move featuring Matthew Morrison (Originally performed by Young MC)
• Sweet Caroline featuring Mark Salling (Originally performed by Neil Diamond)
• Dancing With Myself featuring Kevin McHale (Originally performed by Generation X)
• Defying Gravity featuring Lea Michele and Chris Colfer (Originally performed by Idina Menzel, Kristin Chenoweth, and the cast of Wicked)

BONUS TRACKS:
(ITunes Store)
• I Say a Little Prayer featuring Dianna Agron (Originally performed by Dionne Warwick)

From the "GLEE: The Music, Volume One" soundtrack album, here's "Keep Holding On" as performed by the FULL CAST of GLEE...



From the same album, here's "Alone" as performed by Matthew Morrison and Kristen Chenoweth...




THE GLEE CAST featuring MARK SALLING
"Sweet Caroline"
From the 2009 soundtrack album "Glee: The Music, Volume One"
Originally aired on October 21st, 2009 as Episode 8 of Season 1
Directed by Elodie Keene
(2.29)




COPYRIGHT PROTECTED.
Written by Felix-Lee "Campbells" Andrades, III