Once: A New Musical (Original Broadway Cast Recording) is the cast album to the 2012 Broadway musical Once based on the 2007 film of the same name directed by John Carney. Like the film, Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová composed the music and penned the lyrics for the songs which were performed by Steve Kazee, Cristin Milioti, and other principal cast ensemble from the musical. The album was released by Masterworks Broadway on 13 March 2012, and won the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.
Recording and production The cast recorded the album at the Avatar Studios in New York City on 17 January 2012.
Reception Jon O'Brien of AllMusic wrote "Different enough from the movie soundtrack, but still wholly respectful, Once is a rare Broadway effort that can be enjoyed by both fans and detractors of musical theater." "The principals are as attractive as you could wish, but it would be even better if Milioti's lovely, flexible voice were featured on more than four songs." The New York Times wrote "To hear the score's plaintive Irish folk-pop played live by an ensemble that includes a shifting mix of guitar, violin, cello, mandolin, ukulele, accordion, piano and cajon drum is to be caressed by a warm acoustic sound that approaches the dynamic refinement of classical chamber music [...] Interspersed with upbeat jigs and traditional tunes, Once manages the feat of being emotional but never mawkish."
Track listing
Credits and personnel Credits adapted from liner notes.
Album credits Martin Lowe – album producer Stephen Epstein – album producer Richard King – recording, mixing Rob Preuss – music supervisor Martin Lowe – conductor, orchestrator and arranger Fernando Lodeiro – assistant engineer Michael Bauer – assistant engineer Brett Mayer – editing, assistant mixing Federico Ruiz – design Roxanne Slimak – design direction Frank W. Ockenfels – photography Joan Marcus – photography
Performer credits Steve Kazee – vocals, guitar Cristin Milioti – vocals, piano J. Michael Zygo – vocals, guitar David Abeles – vocals, guitar, harmonica, piano Will Connolly – vocals, ukulele, bass Elizabeth A. Davis – vocals, violin David Patrick Kelly – vocals, mandolin Anne L. Nathan – vocals, accordion Lucas Papaelias – vocals, mandolin, banjo, drums Andy Taylor – vocals, cello Erikka Walsh – vocals, violin Paul Whitty – vocals, guitar, percussion, cajon, cymbal
Chart performance
Weekly charts +Weekly chart performance for Once: A New Musical (Original Broadway Cast Recording) Chart (2012) Peakposition US Cast Albums (Billboard) 1
Year-end charts +Year-end chart performance for Once: A New Musical (Original Broadway Cast Recording) Chart (2012) Position US Cast Albums (Billboard) 4 Chart (2013) PositionUS Cast Albums (Billboard) 3 Chart (2014) Position US Cast Albums (Billboard) 4 Chart (2010) Position US Cast Albums (Billboard) 15
Accolades +Awards for Once: A New Musical (Original Broadway Cast Recording) Year Award Category Recipient(s) Result 2013 Grammy Awards Best Musical Theater Album Steve Kazee and Cristin Milioti, principal soloistsSteven Epstein and Martin Lowe, producersGlen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, composers/lyricists
References