Again-The poster above does not know all the circumstances involved with all these releases. "GYPSY"'s record announcement does not involve the record label-it involved the production and it's star. Time Life wanted to record the cast on April 7th and 8th. But due to the reviews, things changed. If you want to know the real situation instead of writing"summations" based on whatever-please pm me. Time Life is just starting out in this field. We are going to pick up momentum. We're extending the olive branch.
In response to why several labels turned down Gypsy (before the reviews): there are *six* major English language recordings in print (Merman, Russell, Lansbury, Daly, Midler, Peters), which makes the market for selling them over-flooded. When people pick up a disc of anything, they generally head for the name they know best. In the case of Gypsy, it is one of two people: The Merm and Midler. When a revival hits the market, the best it can hope for is that completists will buy it and that the show will run long enough for it to sell well in the theatre. Cast albums cost anywhere from $100,000 to $250,000 (whereas a solo album costs $10,000 to $25,000 or even less, depending on the number of people involved). That's a lot of $20.00 albums that need selling. Yes, labels know going in that cast albums are risky going in, but to also know that your market is beyong saturated with six other titles all in print and vying for your buck makes it six times riskier, because even with Gypsy's glowing reviews, how long will it feesibly run? Long enough to pay back the entire investment on its cast album?
I say all of this without rancor. But most record labels are not deep-pocketed corporations anymore. At least, not the ones dealing with cast albums. I hope I answered some questions.
"ANNIE" was recorded between July 2007- March of 2008. It's 2cd's and is over 2 hours long in running time. There was a lot to co-ordinate due to the vastness and size of the project.It's very elaborate with major stars. Please check your facts before making irresponsible statements.
Glorious Ones will be out sometime over the summer, I've heard.
Next to Normal was not recorded - I assume because they're still tinkering with the material and want to create a definitive album, rather than the Grey Gardens method.
When Sh-K-Boom and PS Classics first started, I believe, they did not get all their recordings out quickly...
Time Life is relatively new in the industry. Evil Dead was released quickly. Ring of Fire was delayed because of the Cash estate. tdl83 explained the Annie recording above. I am just grateful (and we all should be) that Patti LuPone Gypsy is being recorded. I'm sure it will be released quickly since it is such a high-profile recording.
This Gyspy revival is absolutely brilliant and I know Time Life will do a fantastic job with the recording!!
KrissySim, or anyone who is interested, I suggest you check out the following interview from the American Theatre Wing, featuring Kurt Deutsch of Ghostlight Records, Brian Drutman of Decca/Universal, and Bill Rosenfield of RCA-BMG discussing the process of creating and marketing cast albums. It's an absolutely fascinating interview and the answer to all of your questions. 'Recording Cast Albums'
"I seem to have wandered into the BRAIN load-out thread... "
-best12bars
"Sorry I am a Theatre major not a English Major"
-skibumb5290
Passing Strange is doing a live recording at the theatre. Any thoughts on that? I have not seen the show so maybe someone who has can comment on whether they think it will work. I saw Brooklyn in Denver and loved the music. Did not like the live Broadway cast recording at all.
I will be listening to South Pacific and Adding Machine once they are released. Passing Strange will be collecting dust on my shelf.
...and before someone says "Why are you buying the Passing Strange recording in the first place?" the answer is that I am a collector and buy all cast recordings...
Anyone hear any news about when The Glorious Ones is going to be released? It's not even on Jay's website (although an intriguing new musical by Douglas Cohen called "The Gig" is advertised).
Meanwhile, the vocal selections book is already available.
