Most of the time I try to resist any hip people hype. When someone says "Oh you have to see this," or "You must watch this (usually boring Dateline retread) documentary on Netflix," I usually say say no thanks. I have my podcasts and Rifftrax, I'll be OK.

But, after months of hearing people who's taste I respect singing the praises of the musical Hamilton I broke down and got the cast recording. I am here to tell you friends, it is magnificent!

That makes me wonder what else have I been wrong about? Craft beer? HBO's Girls? Beards? Should I grow a beard? But it gets so itchy.

Anyways, Hamilton is a Broadway musical by Lin-Manuel Miranda, based on the 2004 biography Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow. It is performed in a Hip-Hop style. But, it's not at all hokey or goofy. The show takes Hip-Hop seriously and melds it with history in a way that is pure magic.

The life of Alexander Hamilton is perfect for this show. He was born in the West Indies, orphaned as a child and worked his way into college. He became of of the Founding Father of the United States, the first Secretary of the Treasury and much more. He also died in a duel in 1804, shot by Aaron Burr. His story is someone that comes from the bottom, works their way to he top, helps build a nation but, battles his own human failings and the dark side of his personality.

If you aren't familiar with Hamilton's life, I recommend reading a quick summery on Wikipedia. I did and it added a lot of texture to my many successive listens to the cast recording.

Hamilton's journey is weaved into a tapestry of a man married to a woman, pining for her sister, loving both. Building a family and a nation. Morning the death of his first child. He is a dedicate, smart, loving, needy man full of ambition, insecurity and envy.

The story is told in a melding style with Rap music at its core. The Individual songs are amazing, together they are marvelous.

There are three songs I want to highlight.

 

"My Shot" from near the beginning of the play. Alexander is in New York starting on his path meeting other revolutionaries. He knows how smart he is and what need to be done. It is inspirational, powerful and perfect for before that big meeting. Or for every morning.

"Cabinet Battle #1" takes place in a cabinet meeting during George Washington's administration. Performed as a Rap battle where Jefferson, Hamilton and Madison debate the founding of the United States economic system.

"Stay Alive (Reprise)" is about the death of Alexander's oldest son. His son Phillip was on the path to greatness like his father. In a tragic act of foreshadowing he was shot and died in a duel. The song is his dying moments in the arms of his father. It is one of the saddest thing I have ever heard, even writing about it is almost too much. But, it is also so good.

I can't wait to see the production in person, maybe in New York (not likely) or a touring performance (perhaps) or a video (most likely). Till then we have the album.

One more, here's "Yorktown (The World Turned Upside Down)."

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