Here is a musical about the beginning of the world according to Scripture. I thought it would be harmless to listen to and I happen to like the composer, Stephen Schwartz. Also, a friend of mine had ranted about how powerful the music was, so I thought, "Why not buy it?" Now, I know why not.

"Children of Eden" starts off well with a beautiful song about God creating the world. After God finishes creating the Earth and creates Adam and Eve, there is a feeling of we've-gotten-this-far-what-should-we-do next. And this tentative feeling comes more than once through the recording. So, God, Adam, and Eve gingerly name the animals in the garden. God then also retreads on how He feels about being a "father" to his "children." There's a feeling that the writers of the musical's book are trying to lead up to a point but are bogged down by details. But "the point" that they are leading to finally comes when Eve sings "The Spark of Creation." Beautifully sung by Stephanie Mills, this song shows the beginning of the end of Eden. The story starts to pick up and then leads to where God finds out about Eve's sin (eating from the tree of life). God banishes Eve from Eden, but tells Adam he can stay. Adam has a conflict with this and God gives him a choice to stay or go. This is where story and fabrication become mixed and the result is not pleasant.

I read the original story of how Eden was created and nowhere is it found that God gave Adam a choice about where he could go. Eve AND Adam ate the fruit, both were punished. That seems simple and it would have been simple for the musical as well. But they decided to add a conflict that just makes the separation from Eden a muddled mess. When Adam makes his decision to leave, his attitude is like a rebellious teenager's and it is very awkward to listen to on the recording.

After a wondering song about the wilderness, we find that we're in the story of Cain and Abel. Their story is another confusing mess, with the book's writers trying to connect the earlier feelings of God and Eve now with Adam and Cain. The writers also try to write in that there were other people and Adam trying to hide the fact from his family. Another awkward song and moment. The only redeeming part of the whole Cain and Abel story is "Lost in the Wilderness." Sung wonderfully by Darius DeHaas, it's almost a mirror image of the restlessness of Eve now being born in her son Cain. The song doesn't add or detract from the plot, but it's only song that's worth listening to in that section.

After Cain kills his brother Abel, Eve sings "Children of Eden," a song about the lost of innocence and how we try to get that innocence back. The last song on the first CD, it's one of the nuggets of gold that stays with you.

The second CD starts with the song "Generations." It's an upbeat song that lets the listener know what's been happening between Eden and now, which happens to be in Noah's time period. In this part, it's about how Noah's family has been chosen to be saved while God floods the earth. The story is much easier to follow than the first CD and the awkward moments are for the most part, gone. It's enjoyable to listen to. My two favorite songs are "In Whatever Time We Have" and "Ain't it Good." The first song is when Noah's son, Japheth, and his fiancee Yonah, sing that they will love each other, despite the oncoming flood. The second song, "Ain't it Good," is a rousing gospel song, sung by Mama Noah (Stephanie Mills), about how glad she is that the flood is over. The song is a delightful surprise.

The CD overall isn't the best from Stephen Schwartz, but if you're an avid fan of his, then this CD is for you. I didn't care for it as much as I could have because the story line is so distracting. Most people know the story of Eden and Noah and to put twists in the story that confuses instead of enhances, it brings the CD down. Otherwise, enjoy.

Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Reading or Studying