Sondheim Recordings Help

[aspiringguy715]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 10:22am

So, I'm going crazy trying to decide on 6 Sondheim recordings to get. I'll list the recordings I'm looking at here and if anyone has suggestions as to which 6, please post!

West Side Story (OBCR)
Anyone Can Whistle (OBCR)
Follies (Highlights from OBCR)
Follies (Complete 1998 Recording)
A Little Night Music (OBCR)
Merilly We Roll Along (OBCR)
Merilly We Roll Along (Revival)
Company (Revival)
Pacfic Overtures (OBCR)
Pacific Overtures (Revival)

I'm basically stuck with the Revival v. OBCR problem, as well as the Follies highlights v. complete.

Thanks for any suggestions!

Posted: 11/25/05 at 10:25am

But the 6 original Broadway cast recordings.

You can then selectively build your collection at a later time with more knowledge of each show.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 10:32am

Anyone Can Whistle (OBCR)
Follies (Highlights from OBCR)
Follies (Complete 1998 Recording)
A Little Night Music (OBCR)
Merilly We Roll Along (OBCR)
Pacfic Overtures (OBCR)

Those are my choices. Both Follies are worth having. OBC for the performances, Papermill for completeness.

Do you have to OBC of Company? The revival is very average, with a few good performances. The OBC is a must have. I listen to the revival rarely, and skip most of the tracks. La Chanze's "Another Hundred People" and Veanne Cox's "Getting Marries Today" are the only repeatable tracks, in my opinion.

I'd also get West Side Story evetually, but if you're collecting Sondheim, I'd go for his full scores first.

Updated On: 11/25/05 at 10:32 AM

[Broadwayboobs]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 10:39am

May I ask...where is "Sweeney Todd" ?

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 10:42am

Maybe they have it?

But Boobs is right. Sweeney should be top on the list.

And where are Bounce and Saturday Night? Jesus!
Updated On: 11/25/05 at 10:42 AM

[lildogs]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 10:44am

I agree with what Bobby said about the FOLLIES recordings, and the British one has the best "one More Kiss" I've ever heard.

The COMPANY revival is indeed a waste...I think I listened to it once.

The MERRILY OBCR is also the better of the two.

Where's ASSASSINS and SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE or INTO THE WOODS? Go with the Original Cast Albums on all three.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 10:47am

With the rare exceptions, I think the general rule of thumb is to go with the OBC first. The performances are most always superior. You can always get the fuller score later.

And I agree, if you end up falling in love with Follies, the London recording is a must have, for those divine performances, and some new songs.

May I also suggest, if you are becoming a Sondheim addict: The great recording of Side by Side by Sondheim that I am currently addicted to.

[lildogs]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 11:09am

What I fail to understand is how can one be a "Legend" and not own FOLLIES? Shouldn't there be some sort of test? :)

I love SIDE BY SIDE as well...Julia and Millicent are both terrific! "The Boy From..." is peerless and the opening is also grand as well...

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 11:13am

Lol-"Buy Follies or we'll kick you off the board!"

Hey, I applaud your wanting to get all things Sondheim. More than I can say for some people on this board who all have the same 20 recordings.

I am in love with Side by Side. I have "We're Gonna Be Alright" on constant repeat. Damn Richard Rodgers for not using those brilliant lyrics.

[Broadwayboobs]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 11:13am

lil...I'm sure there are some around here who don't even know what "Follies" is...but say Adam or Raul and you don't even need to use their last names and they know who you are referring to.

[lildogs]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 11:22am

It's a shanda...no wonder the Chinese are ahead...

[Plum]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 11:26am

The only thing the Paper Mill Follies has going for it is completeness. Seriously, the OBC is much better, and if you want a more complete (if not 100% perfect) version, get the concert recording, which at least has the benefits of some really divine Barbara Cook.

Otherwise, as a general rule, always go for the OBCs first. On occassion a revival or London recording will be worth it, too, but start with the originals.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 11:30am

They'd rather create 100 threads about Idina's shampoo and ass crack, than explore the many facets of musical theatre.

Their loss I guess.

[lildogs]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 11:34am

I know--I started an old movie star game thread and even some of the brighter people didn't know all the ladies--wtf? How can you know where you're going if you don't know where you've been? And don't get me started about the Rent/Idina/Wicked threads...they ruin this site, IM (not-so-humble) O.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 11:36am

Or-I love the- "I don't like old musicals"- excuse. Ugh.

[GovernorSlaton]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 11:43am

The OBC's of Company, Follies, and Night Music need to be in anyone's collection, and the Pacific Overtures and Merrily OBC's are great too. The Merrily Revival has a LOT of changes, including some great new music and good performances, so be sure to pick that one up too. All of the Follies recordings have their strong points, but get the OBC first and then decide if you want to spend money on another. The Pacific Overtures revival cd is nice, but don't bother with it unless you REALLY love the OBC. The Anyone Can Whistle OBC is a wonderful disc -- I haven't heard the Carnegie Hall concert version from the 90's with Bernadette Peters, but it's reportedly dreadful.

[smartpenguin78]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 11:43am

But old musicals are just so BORING, if it don't riff and raff I ain't listenin'.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 11:44am

Lol, and Penguin LOVES the riffing.

Wasn't Idina Menzel in the OBC of West Side Story?

[smartpenguin78]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 11:46am

She is on MY copy, I dubbed her in.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 11:46am

Yes, with Amber Tamblyn!

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 11:48am

Lol. I love the way Amber riffs at the end of "One Hand One Heart". Sooooooooo, like, amazing.

[lildogs]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 11:50am

Gov, are you talking about the ANYONE with Madeline Kahn? Cause it's a hoot to hear her do "Me and My Town!"

The so-called "old" musicals seem so much more meaningful and rich, even if they are comedies--Kiss Me, Kate is very moving and also funny and bawdy. Musical theatre as we know it is still a relatively new form, if you start with Show Boat. Is there a funnier show than FORUM? Even community theaters can produce a great FORUM, the material is so good.

[smartpenguin78]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 11:51am

By the way, I add my voice to the "get the OBCs first" chorus.

Not that I listen to that Sadnhiem fella, or whatever his name is.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 11:52am

I heart lildogs.

Me feelings exactly.

The wit of Cole Porter. The thrill of Berlin. The romanticism of Rodgers and Hart. You just can't get that today.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 11:53am

Sondheim? Don't they mention him in Rent? I always thought he was a building.