After years of wowing audiences with her beautiful, powerhouse vocals in the smash-hit musical Wicked, Broadway diva Eden Espinosa has launched her debut album Look Around.
Creating a mix of beautiful musical theatre ballads alongside her famous anthems from her career, each with that powerhouse Espinosa rock-touch, Look Around promises audiences everything they could ever want from the original Broadway diva.
Most famous for her turn as the misunderstood green witch in Stephen Schwartz’s musical Wicked, in the Broadway, LA and most recent San Francisco productions, Eden Espinosa is a 35 year-old singer/songwriter. Of Mexican descent, Espinosa has dazzled audiences with her effortless vocals and powerhouse performances each night.
In 2007, she made her debut as a member of the original Broadway cast of Wicked alongside Idina Menzel. Espinosa is featured on the original cast album.
Following her success with Wicked, Espinosa originated her role of Elphaba in the LA and San Francisco productions.
She left the show in September 2005 to lead the original broadway cast of Brooklyn, later returning to the show in 2006. She became only the third performer to ever lead the show. Originating the role of Brooklyn during workshop and pre-broadway stages of the production, Espinosa stayed with the production for over two years. She was nominated for a 2005 Drama League Award for Distinguished Performance as Brooklyn and is featured on the original cast recording.
In late 2007, she left Wicked in LA and closed the Broadway production of Rent as Maureen. She now features on the closing performance DVD alongside its original cast members.
Espinosa is currently launching her album Look Around across America.
Look Around – Eden Espinosa
Tracks as featured on the standard UK edition CD.
1) I’m Not That Girl
Possibly the most recognisable song for Espinosa to lead with on her album. From the smash-hit musical Wicked, I’m Not That Girl follows the heartbreak of an unpopular girl looking in on her new friend and lover and wanting a love of her own. The new arrangement of the song, differing in tempo from the production version, adds the extra level of personality to the song and makes it Eden’s own. For any Wicked fan, its a treat.
2) Stone Cold Sober
My favourite track from the album, Stone Cold Sober is a rock anthem! Mixing together Eden’s powerhouse vocals alongside the delicate and beautiful side of her voice, Stone Cold Sober gives the album that extra ‘wow’ factor that makes it really enjoyable. In my opinion, the best song on the album.
3) Petrified
Another personal favourite, Petrified originates from Boy George’s musical Taboo and spells the heartbreak and disappointment that life can often bring. Its written beautifully and portrayed very well by Eden. Usually sung by a male, its great to hear the beauty but also anger in her version.
4) I Know the Truth
A song based upon reflection from the Broadway musical Aida, I Know the Truth grows on me through each listen. A song explaining the desire to always look for something or someone else to blame, ending in the truth being just what you dont want to know. Sitting in the middle of Eden’s range, its a nice change to many of the other tracks and adds that extra bit of vercatility to the album and her displays her incredible voice in a new way. Not a hit straight-off but no doubt one that you’ll be singing over others for a while after.
5) I Miss the Mountains
Another track full of heartbreak, taken from the Broadway musical Next to Normal, I Miss the Mountains is sung in the production by the Mother figure over the loss of many parts of her life and longing for what she cant have. The delicate side of Eden’s voice helps bring the beautiful song to life, even more so than in the show usually. This track highlights that alongside the powerhouse numbers, slow and delicate is Espinosa too.
6) With You
Taken from Ghost – The Musical, With You tells the heartbreak and upset of a young girl coming to terms with the murder of her boyfriend. Simple track, technical song but just beautiful. Simple.
7) Once Upon A Time
From Brooklyn, this is possibly the most unrecognisable song on the album. Taken from Brooklyn, Eden has completely re-wrote this song and it sounds lovely. Personally, I prefer the original with its complex orchestrations but new and variety is what this album is and its what Eden delivers. Fans of the show many love or hate this version; I suspect they will be divided.
8) One Song Glory
Sung usually by a male in Rent, One Song Glory is very similar to Stone Cold Sober musically but has the grasp and raw vocals that fans of Espinosa will expect. A new interpretation of a famous musical song but a great one at that. Maybe Without You from Rent would have been a better choice personally but still a delight.
9) Look Around
The title track from Eden’s album, Look Around comes last on the track listings but most certainly not least. Taken from the Broadway production Follies, its a lovely song to finish a very emotional album. Beginning with Eden’s slow and almost haunting signature song start, her vocals and guitar flow great across the track, adding a level of emotion and honest that Eden does so well.
This album carries you through a journey of heartbreak and pain and wouldn’t be for the faint hearted; however it is musically beautiful and will no-doubt will please her fans. As one wrote: “Absolutely beautiful yet an unfortunate truth for so many who have been burned by someone they thought they knew..and trusted.” The perfect analogy of Look Around.
If you like musical theatre with a twist; this is the album for you!
Around Here is available on iTunes, Amazon and many music retailers.
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