1. Is the recording of the whole show, including the whole book and score? I've downloaded some clips recommended by my friend, and it sounds as if all of the dialog is in tact, but I don't know for sure.
2. Is it just me, or the volume level on the tracks really low? When I listen to "I Hate the Bus" I can barely hear the beginning unless I turn the volume up higher than I usually do.
Thanks for answering! I'm debating on whether I should buy the whole cast recording or not, and that's why I want to know the answers to these questions. I don't want to bother spending 30 bucks if it's going to be a hassle to hear the songs in my car or on my laptop....
Also, does anyone know if the recordings on the sampler are the same as for the 2CD recording?
"What was the name of that cheese that I like?"
"you can't run away forever...but there's nothing wrong with getting a good head start"
"well I hope and I pray, that maybe someday, you'll walk in the room with my heart"
Yes, the cast recording is the entire show as performed on stage during it's Broadway incarnation. The entire libretto was recorded.
No one has ever complained about the sound level. Sometimes ripped audio tracks have odd volume levels, which could be the case you experienced. If you purchase the 2-CD recording, the audio level is perfect throughout.
You can't really get the feeling of the whole show without listening to the complete cast recording. I'm very glad they didn't go for a "highlights" or anything of that sort. My only problem with this recording is that whoever set the time to cut from one track to the other needs to be fired, the cuts are absurd. One that always bothers me is that they cut to a new track before Anika finishes her last two "All alone" at the end of "I Hate the Bus." Same with "Salty Teardrops." Otherwise it's pretty much a flawless cast recording, IMO. Performances are fine all throughout (even if Harrison Chad's voice gets a bit annoying at times), brilliant score, and I love the orchestrations and general feeling of the recording.
"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"
Oh my goodness, ray-andallthatjazz86, you are soo right about the cuts. it's the only thing that pisses me off about the recording. You're in the midst of "salty" or "I hate the bus",feeling it ready to drift to those spectacular endings and bam! It cuts!!!
For some reason I think that there is a verse missing from near the end of the CD. I remember reading through the libretto and noticing something missing. But who knows...
The CD is magnificent. Chuck Cooper, Tonya Pinkins, Anika Noni Rose, Capathia Jenkins - amazing!