Anyone Love Revival Recordings, but Hate the Originals???- Page 2

[best12bars]

Posted: 7/6/05 at 10:23am

In most cases, I still prefer the original recordings to revivals. In many cases, it's our only chance to hear the people who created the roles and appreciate their contribution to theatre history. But I agree that audio technology and more complete scores are two big reasons to favor later versions.

I have one in particular that I'm curiously very fond of... The Debbie Allen revival recording of Sweet Charity. As much as I love and appreciate Gwen Verdon, the '86 revival wins for me. I saw the show, which no doubt has something to do with it. The orchestra was amazing, both live and on the recording, with a lead trumpeter that hit some incredible notes. The cast was top notch, and I wasn't a Debbie Allen fan at time. In fact, I'd had my fill of her strutting around on "Fame" like she was Mother Earth. But she was completely convincing as hard-edged but vulnerable Charity. I guess that's why they call it acting! Her singing was very good (if not great), and her dancing knocked me out of my seat! As a result, the dance arrangements on the cast album really kick into high gear. And I LOVED Michael Rupert and his rendition of the "movie version" of the title song. Thankfully, it replaced the pleasant but bland original song here.

I hear that DRG or some other company may be re-releasing it after many years of it being out of print! Anyone have updates on that? It's worth checking out, if you haven't. Don't know if you'll love it more than the original, as I do.

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/6/05 at 10:25am

Well on Sweet Charity. I find the OBC much superior to the 86 Revival Recording. I find Gwen and John fabulous on the original, and it has the full Overture. The 86 Recording has the funky "I'm The Bravest Individual", that I love. The new recording with Christina is great also. I like it because it's the recording with the freshest sound, the orchestra sounds crystal clear, and that can't be said for the OBC - because that was so long ago. The Christina recording also has Oscar's new song, and new and beautiful "..Bravest Individual" reprise/finale. It also is the only out of the 3 Broadway recordings to have the Entra'cte.
So each recording has different perks that makes them enjoyable. I can't really say I find the revival recording with Christina superior, because I love the OBC. So I can't really choose which is better. Debbie is most definetly the best sung Charity. But they orchestrations on the CD are way to synthesized. It's great to hear Debbie and Bebe though. I love the new recording because how crystal clear the orchestra and everything sounds. Definetly the best quality recording out of them all.

Updated On: 7/6/05 at 10:25 AM

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 7/6/05 at 10:29am

Most shows that have been revived have a remastered original cast recording. While the sound quality rarely equals the revival, I think the remasters sound great and the original performances can rarely be beat.

[hushpuppy]

Posted: 7/6/05 at 11:13am

bustinloose, are you telling us that the Matthew Broderick version of HTSIBWRT is better than the Robert Morse OBC? Having seen both productions live, Morse was far superior to Broderick. I own the OBC and think it's terrific but wouldn't buy the Broderick CD except possibly to use as a coaster. If memory serves, they even cut out one of the songs, "Cinderella" so it isn't even complete.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 7/6/05 at 11:14am

RockabyeHamlet--I'm glad you agree with me!

And in response to having musical theater begin with Phantom and not loving old quality voices--That's certainly not me. I love the old stars' voices, from Ethel Merman to Mary Martin to the Astaires to Fanny Brice and everyone in between. But, as people brought up, there is something to the quality of recordings that makes it easier to listen to. Bye Bye Birdie isn't THAT old a show, but I tend to listen to my TV movie soundtrack a bit more for some songs (not all...Chyna Phillips... scary... and SO not a TEEN) just because the quality is better. No Happy Face can compare to Dick Van Dyke's Happy Face, but if you listen to both Telephone Hour versions, the TV movie is better but together, less screechy... Yeah... And that's just one example.

A great thing is that they ARE coming out with digitally remastered editions (anyone else saving to basically re-purchase their entire Sondheim collection in August?!) and that's great. It lets us fans experience those scores with the incredible original casts in ways we haven't been able to do before.

[Broadwaygirl22]

Posted: 7/6/05 at 5:49pm

I like the revival recording of Into the Woods, but I don't like the original that much. The movie soundtrack to Annie is also a little better than the original Broadway one with Andrea McArdle even though it doesn't have all the songs. In the Broadway one during one song with the orphans even if you turn the volume up high you can barely hear some of the girls.

[baddadnpa]

Posted: 7/6/05 at 5:50pm

I prefer original recordings to revivals for the most part.

[bwayboi4life42]

Posted: 7/6/05 at 5:50pm

Little Shop of Horrors for me.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 7/6/05 at 5:53pm

In my opinion, the 1998 revival recording of Cabaret is the show's definitive recording. And I also prefer the Irish Rep recording of Finian's Rainbow to the OBCR, but I'm definitely biased.

[wonderland]

Posted: 7/7/05 at 3:43am

I think we may have inadvertently hit on why so many people seem to hate any musical written before 1970 (or 1980 even)- back then, performers had to actually get their voice to the back of the auditorium. Now singers can be cast with little to no projection, but much prettier voices, which lends itself better to a recording which doesn't need projection. Having seen video clips from some of the old masters, I can tell you they could run circles around the current crop of Broadway stars, save a few.

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 7/7/05 at 4:58am

re KISS ME KATE

Not sure if all of you are aware but the original cast of KISS ME KATE was recorded twice. The first (on Columbia/SONY) was done in 1949 just as Lp's were replacing 78 RPM's and even on the remastered CD still sounds a bit brittle. But 10 years later the same cast re-recorded the exact same program in modern stereo and that is available on Broadway Angel/EMI. SO if the sound quality of the earlier CD hlds you back try the later version.

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 7/7/05 at 5:17am

Generally the originals are the way to go though I do understand how some may find the pre-stereo recordings tough to listen to now. Most post-stereo era albums are fine.

There are a few where the revival recording serves the show better:

CAROUSEL - the old Decca album (originally on 78 RPM's) is very incomplete. Better to get the 1993 London cast (most complete) or the 1965 Lincoln Center revival (best cast.)

ANNIE GET YOUR GUN - Same problem but Merman re-created the role for the 1966 Lincoln Centre revival and that cast album trumps the original.

BRIGADOON - the Shirley Jones/JAck Cassidy CD (on DRG) is far preferable to the original. (It's a studio cast, not a revival. As far as I know they never appeared in a production of that show)

KING AND I - the 1977 revival with Brynner is more complete and has better singers overall. All it is missing is the ballet "Small House of Uncle Thomas" which can be heard on RCA's 1964 Lincoln Centre cast album.

HOW TO SUCCEED... - RCA's original cast with Robert Morse suffers from distorted sound quality (as do many of their late 50s/early 60s recordings) The revival cast is better overall.
(Yes they cut one minor song but it was a dog anyhow. And only on the revival OCR do you get fuller versions of the other songs.)

FOLLIES - the concert version is more complete and better sung

DREAMGIRLS - concert version is more complete (but NOT better sung.)

[Parks]

Posted: 7/7/05 at 5:18am

I honestly don't understand how some of you people can't stand Godspell 2001 Touring Cast Recording. I personally loved a lot of the songs from it. God Save the People sounded amazing. Who played Jesus? His voice is like butter! The girl who sang By My Side was incredibly nasily though.

[wonderland]

Posted: 7/7/05 at 5:24am

The voices in the 2001 Tour of Godspell are fine, even superior, it's those damn techno arrangements.

[Whiteguy2088]

Posted: 7/7/05 at 5:24am

Prefer the revivals of Cabaret / Kiss Me Kate / and Gypsy and now im off to dodge the flames for the Gypsy one! ( i am sorry but i love Peters and ooo it is soooo much better than the OBC - one reason is b/c Sondheim is still kickin im sure )

[Urban]

Posted: 7/7/05 at 6:04am

I have to admit I prefer Angela over Ethel as well

*ducks flying fruit*

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 7/7/05 at 6:38am

GYPSY

Because the songs were tailored for Merman's unique range I always hear the other actresses struggling with some of the notes.

Hey I am glad there are 6 GYPSY recordings available but I do consider the Merman OCR an essential.

[nmartin]

Posted: 7/7/05 at 6:47am

Wonderful Town "one of the sisters sounds like a man" That's Rosalind Russell, dear.

[ruthiefan_felix]

Posted: 7/7/05 at 6:55am

I think i like the new Cinerella CD (is there a CD?) than the older movies. I LOVE Whitney as godmother, Paolo Montalban as the Prince (WOW!) and the other supporting cast, not REALLY keen on Brandy as Cinerella, but she is fine. But in the older CDs i have (not the JA 1), one of the stepsisters sound like a man! and could not reach a high note!

[James2]

Posted: 7/7/05 at 9:10am

Fiddler on the Roof - I don't have the CD, but I've heard clips on bn.com, and I can't stand that production's Golde. Alfred Molina and Randy Graff will always be Tevye and Golde to me.

Into the Woods - I have the tape of the original production and I saw the revival on Broadway, and I definetely like the new cast better.

Sweeney Todd - I bought the DVD with Hearn & Lansbury, and then a friend of mine burned me a copy of the original highlights disc. Compared to George Hearn, it almost sounds like Len Cariou doesn't really care on "Epiphany".

[Unmasked05]

Posted: 7/7/05 at 9:56am

I like the 1992 Cast Recording of "Guys and Dolls" then the OCR and the same for "Hello, Dolly!" I like 1994 recording awhole lot better.

[BobbyRobbyBobbyBaby]

Posted: 7/7/05 at 11:17am

I usually prefer the original but the 1994 York theatre revival of Merrily We Roll Along is much better and so is the revival of Assassins.

[Justice]

Posted: 7/7/05 at 11:26am

DAMN YANKEES!!!

Love the revival (Saw it four times).
Not a fan of the film or previous recordings.

[lamentingenvelope]

Posted: 7/7/05 at 11:46am

I adore the revival recording of Assassins... given, I haven't heard the original recording nearly as much but what I have heard I didn't like nearly as much.

[Footlooser]

Posted: 7/7/05 at 12:29pm

Totally "Fiddler on the Roof"