This is a very full CD, in fact the record producer has had to exclude the Overture and the song Ice Cream Girl so as to fit everything on to one disk. These exclusions are a great shame, and I really think that there is enough material in SPEND SPEND SPEND to have warranted a double disk set.

However, this does not diminish my pleasure in listening to the lovely music and words of Steve Brown and Justin Greene. The score blends several musical styles and the lyrics are very humorous and excellently crafted. One of my favourite more comical moments is this short verse when Viv s father (Jeff Shankley) confirms her and Keith s football pools win:-

Eight draws&

Luck was a bitch

But now you re rich

She s bloody Santa Clause !

As those who have seen the show will know, quite a bit of the first half of SPEND SPEND SPEND has to do with Viv s sexual discoveries. The lyrics in these places on first listen may sound a bit crude, but they are appropriate!

The London company sing very well, and Barbara Dickson fits the role of the older Viv perfectly. Rachel Leskovac as the younger Viv is a real find and seems set to have a promising West End career ahead. Steven Houghton and Jeff Shankley both have super voices and are typical men in Two Rooms :-

"Two wives

Two wives to spend that dosh

Keep Viv for everyday use

And the otherin for posh .

It is difficult to pick out highlights because the show works so well as a whole. Sexual Happenings and Garforth are in my book the best of the lighter numbers. Scars of Love and Who s Gonna Love Me? are two terrific gentler songs which I am sure we will be hearing more of in the future, gracing many a female artists solo album I predict. Of course, I must not forget the show s title number which is incredibly catchy.

The beauty of SPEND SPEND SPEND is that the piece is fantastically written. It has a lovely score packed with memorable tunes, although admittedly some parts take a few listens to be fully appreciated. I finish by saying that if you liked Blood Brothers , you ll love SPEND SPEND SPEND &. and even if you don t like Blood Brothers you will still love it!!!

Review by Tim Connor