"...She brought shame to the name of Stanley - She brought grief to your father and me! I remember the night that your sister took flight with a scoundrel that we'd never seen..."

Hi everyone - Martini here. Back to reviewing the amazing Palma Pascale Broadway Musical, WHAT THE HELL, NELL!

The lyrics above come from the song "Shame To The Name" and it's sung "in character." This particular song comes from the "judgemental housekeeper" Lizzie, and is directed to Abigail, Nell's "devastated younger sister." Herein is another slice of the story of Nell Stanley and what has happened to her along the way.

"...There's a stain on the name of Stanley that your sister, God help her, should heed.....she will wind up in HELL (audible gasp from Abigail "Oh! Poor Isabel")...poor Isabel, indeed!..."

It's not a very long song - just 1:33. BUT, it's an important piece of this puzzle. It's a rubato tune, which is fraught, musically, with descriptive overtones - for example, it starts with only the first measure of melody played on what would have been the parlor organ (pump organ with pipe organ leanings, in terms of the sound).

As the chords are played on this organ, and the vocal line begins, Palma "rolls" the chords on the piano so as to have the "villainous" sound. Included are voices also "oooo-ing" harmoniously to the chords being played. We also hear a harpsichord being played, giving us a great change-up.

The song is in 3/4 time and is set in a minor key to the advantage of those of us listening, because we know, immediately, the song isn't just a happy little ditty.....the minor key alerts us from the git-go that we're dealing with something a bit more dramatic, and undoubtedly a bit "dark" in complexion.

Acting the part with her descriptive voice, Palma gives us the overall feeling that Lizzie is "Preaching to" Abigail, not just telling her a story. She is letting her know that her sisters have acted in a most despicable manner and that she (Lizzie) is far above either of them in terms of her "decency" and goodness! She goes on to tell Abigail:

"....Decent girls should have no pity......she was a victim of LUST! She was swallowed by the wicked city.....well, ashes to ashes and dust to dust...."

Oh yeah, she lays it on pretty thick for poor Abigail. Meanwhile, musically the story is being carried-out and continued by the instruments of the organ, harpsichord, and the "wind" playing behind the melody - voices in chords of "ooooo's" and the fun begins again when Lizzie sings (or rather, wails...at least at first:)

"...Oh the shame to the name of Stanley....Let her sin be a lesson to you. If the devil should knock (and of course, we HEAR repeated, frantic-like knocking on the door)....close the door (SLAM!)....bolt the lock (sound of the lock sliding into placed here).....Show them the Stanley's are tough! ISN'T ONE SISTER ENOUGH???? ..." I would just guess that Palm and Fred had some fun finding these little "noises" to add to the song. And just wait - it gets more fun as we progress through each tune. Coming up next is a piece I mentioned earlier, "The Fairest Flower". Wonder what that's all about, eh? Stay tuned.....

Enough said, yes? Well, for this time. I had hoped to write about the next few pieces, but they are intricate, and they have so much meaning to them, I want them to be savored, like a good wine! So, come back and enjoy more of the story of Nell Stanley, and of the power of the music made for the story. It's intriguing, don't you think?

Until next time, I remain musically yours,

Martini~