Editorial Review:

Amazon.com:
Chess is a musical that sounds like it shouldn't work but instead succeeds surprisingly well. This is the original concept album that was recorded before the musical was staged in London. Chess is the story of a love triangle told against the backdrop of an international chess tournament during the height of the cold war. The composers are Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus (the Bs in ABBA) and the lyrics are by Tim Rice, who supplied the words for Andrew Lloyd Webber's Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita, as well as Disney's Aladdin (with Howard Ashman), The Lion King, and Beauty and the Beast. The six-member cast does a beautiful job with the songs, which are a combination of ballads, rock, and operatic choruses. Murray Head's version of "One Night in Bangkok" became a surprise hit in the mid-'80s and it still turns up on the turntables in dance clubs around the world. --Michael Simmons

Rating: - THE BEST Muscial score ever written, hands down......
I have been listening to this CD for over a decade and it is still relevant, still in my CD player at all times, and a muscial and score that will live on as my all-time favorite for decades to come.

I was blessed and fortunate to see Josh Groban, Raul Esparza and Adam Pascal perform in Chess for a one-night engagement for the Actor's Fund of America Concert in 2003 and I literally cried my eyes out the entire time! The audience loved the show and I can't imagine why they haven't tried ... Read More

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Rating: - Not a cheesy remake of Buena Sera, Mrs Campbell!
Bjorn and Benny's clever and eclectic collaboration with Tim Rice on this 1984 score resulted in one of the best records ever made of a musical. It doesn't work as well on stage, and many attempts have been made to fix the inherent flaws in the book but musically it remains a highly listenable recording. Highlights are the stirring "Anthem", the dramatic "Nobody's Side" and just about everything else.

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Rating: - Too bad this is so overlooked
An unbelievably pretty score....Too bad it is often overlooked as a musical. The musical masters behind Abba composed this , and it is a success on many levels. Do what I did , burn this with selections from "The Original Broadway Cast Recording" and you will have the ultimate "Chess" recording.....Sure, some of the recordings and words will overlap, but you will have the best of both versions....CHECKMATE

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Rating: - In love w/ the London version of Chess since 1985...
As a Musical Theatre Performance Major right out of high school in 1985, I immediately fell in love w/ this amazing musical. Having not had the honor of seeing it in London, I could only imagine the entire show in my head. The lyrics are amazing (Tim Rice!!), and the score is unbelievable (The B's in ABBA)combined w/ the performances- well, it's amazing and by far my favorite musical - and I've never seen it on stage!!! I completely wore out several cassettes (yes, tape cassettes for you youngsters) ... Read More

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Rating: - Thanks for the CD version
I bought the cassette tape years (and years)ago. I have just about worn it out. I always was afraid the tape would break and the score lost. I was happy to see the CD version. I purchased it without hesitation. Tim Rice has been a favorite ever since Jesus Christ Superstar. This is one of his top works since.