Hi, I am directing Oliver later this year and was wondering which of the recordings is closest to the stage show that is licensed? I know some of the recent recordings are considerably different.
the 1994 recording is very complete as well and with darker and more modern arrangements. which is nice to have in comparison with the raw and beautiful first recording.
WE did the show last summer, and as memory serves, they did add a few reprises (cause the show needed more) for the 94 Revival that are either now integrated to the original or are available at additional cost (like "I Have Confidence" in Sound of Music). That would be my pick.
I know you are trying to get a recording that is close to the stage version, but I just have to say that from an artistic viewpoint any recording that does not include Georgia Brown is a waste of money. She is the definitive Nancy, tough yet vulnerable. Lionel Bart wrote "It's A Fine Life" with her in mind. They had known each other as children and he had always been impressed by her gracefulness.
If anyone ever tells you that you put too much Parmesan cheese on your pasta, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
This doesn't really answer the original question, but I have to be the dissenter about the 1994 Palladium production. I think the orchestrations are a travesty and make the score far less interesting and appealing.
Stick with the Original London or Broadway recordings to get a sense of what OLIVER! should be.