La Balatta di Billy M’Caw it’s a
really nice song, slow and soft. The lyrics and the different voices create a
great combination of rhythm and emotion, however, the melody doesn’t sound
difficult at all. Piano and violin contribute to the melody. The song forms
part of Cats play on the second act.
This song was originally an
unpublished poem written by T.S. Elliot in 1939, which Lloyd Webber introduced
to the musical program in 2003 replacing the Italian Aria for UK productions.
Growltiger and Griddlebone two Siamese cats on the play perform the song. The lyrics
talk about the life on a bar, how they spent time with friends and “Billy” used
to play and sing for them.
I have never understood why they left this song out of the American productions of "Cats" - it's my favorite number in the whole show. Maybe because it's about a parrot, not a cat (but I like parrots). Hearing it in an Italian recording is unusual and fun.
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