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#26

re: Basic Library of Cast albums

Posted: 8/19/05 at 12:36am

#27

re: Basic Library of Cast albums

Posted: 8/19/05 at 1:58am

I'd just like to put in my $.02 regarding some of the albums.

THE MUSIC MAN
While the performances by Robert Preston and Barbara Cook are second to superb, I'm sure (I'm ashamed to say I've not heard this recording), I think the latest Broadway revival would be the best recording. I've heard that Craig Bierko's Harold was a carbon-copy of Preston's, and Rebecca Luker is excellent as Marian.

You should hear the original. After these are these were the people who created the roles coached by the author. Why settle for Craig Bierko doing an impression of Preston when you can have the real thing. And as wonderful as Luker is, nothing matches the voice of Barbara Cook. The supporting cast is better (Pert Kelton, Iggie Wolfington and The Buffalo Bills whose voices blend beautifully) and nothing of import is missing from Capitol's cast album. The extra 17 minutes on teh revival cast CD is mostly extra dance music, dialogue and a couple of reprises. The original just plays in a much more entertaining fashion.

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF
As with The Music Man, I feel the latest revival would be the best choice, simply because it contains a more complete version of the score. However, overall, I feel the sbest recording is the Original London Cast Recording (Topol, Mariam Karlin, et al). However, I understand its omission from this list, as it appears that this list is just Broadway casts.

If I went with a version other than the OCR I wuld go for Topol in the London cast, but the supporting cast are weak on that CD. Nothing of great import is missing from the OCR. In fact teh CD restores 2 cuts that were left off the Lp: "The Bottle Dance" and "I Just Heard..."

ASSASSINS
I've read comparisons between the two disks, but I find myself listening to the newer cast recording more often. I find the orchestrations to be fuller, and the performances to be better. I also get a better feeling of the show from the new version. However, I know I am in the minority here on this one.

I find BOTH recordings very good. I like finally having "Something just broke" recorded but teh original cast, especially Victor Garber, are pretty unbeatable.

Thank you very much for this list. I find my collection lacking in classics, this list will come in handy in building my collection.

Glad you find it helpful! But it is just a guideline.

Cast albums are NOT "soundtracks."
Live theatre does not use a "soundtrack." If it did, it wouldn't be live theatre!

I host a weekly one-hour radio program featuring cast album selections as well as songs by cabaret, jazz and theatre artists. The program, FRONT ROW CENTRE is heard Sundays 9 to 10 am and also Saturdays from 8 to 9 am (eastern times) on www.proudfm.com

#28

re: Basic Library of Cast albums

Posted: 8/19/05 at 2:17am

Great list!

But i think something is taken away from it when it doesnt include shows still running...shows like rent are landmarks in theatre. Just saying...

Also, couldn't one argue that a show like Les Miz had more of an impact on the 90's than the 80's...

#29

re: Basic Library of Cast albums

Posted: 8/19/05 at 2:36am

And it is indeed a sad day when "Parade" is considered a flop...one hopes a revival will fare better

#30

re: Basic Library of Cast albums

Posted: 8/19/05 at 2:51am

Les Miz was pretty well known in the 1980s too. Actually, I was going to quibble with Aspects of Love and Miss Saigon being listed in the 1980s, since both of them were on the West End in 1989. (Let me add that I would never have included Aspects of Love on this list. Maybe City of Angels?

Also, is the 3-CD EMI recording for Showboat the studio recording done in 1988? I know it's more complete than the 1994 revival's cast recording, but I think I prefer the 1994 recording. (Part of that is my preference in listening to recordings to focus on the music and don't care as much about dialogue.) On that end, I loved the 1994 revival's cast. I love Lonette McKee's Julie (her version of Bill is exquisite), Gretha Boston's Queenie and Michel Bell's Joe.

#31

re: Basic Library of Cast albums

Posted: 8/19/05 at 3:08am

My point was just that some shows really don't fit into the decade they happened to be recorded, written, or staged in. Like can you really call "Crazy For You" a 90's show or "42nd Street" an 80's show. Its undeniable that there are aspects of those decades in those shows and that those shows had an impact on the 80's and 90's but I certainly don't think you can associate most of the content on "Crazy For You" with the 90's.

#32

re: Basic Library of Cast albums

Posted: 8/19/05 at 3:54am

"...But i think something is taken away from it when it doesnt include shows still running...shows like rent are landmarks in theatre..."

I agree but the currently running shows are the ones that MOST people here have already. Still in time RENT will take its place on the list of 1990s shows.

"Also, couldn't one argue that a show like Les Miz had more of an impact on the 90's than the 80's..."

True but I grouped shows according to their premiere dates. And it was huge HUGE hit when it opened. PHANTOM OF THE OPERA came along 9 months later and eclipsed it in terms or pre-opening night sales, but even so LES MIZ was the show everyone had to see in 1987/88.

Actually, I was going to quibble with Aspects of Love and Miss Saigon being listed in the 1980s, since both of them were on the West End in 1989. (Let me add that I would never have included Aspects of Love on this list. Maybe City of Angels?

CITY OF ANGELS is on the list in withe the 1980's shows - it opened in December 1989.! And I used the Broadway premieres so ASPECTS and SAIGON got into the 1990s. It helped give a boost to a decade that after all was not stellar.

Also, is the 3-CD EMI recording for Showboat the studio recording done in 1988? I know it's more complete than the 1994 revival's cast recording, but I think I prefer the 1994 recording.

Yes teh EMI set is the compleve 3 CD version (or teh single CD of highlights.) I love the revival cast - I was at the world premiere of the show in Toronto in October 1993 - and as a single CD it is my preferred version. At this time it is out-of-print, the righst belong to LIVENT which collapsed so it may be a long time before that mess gets sorted out. I tried to stick with Cd's that readily available.

LIVENT was supposed to put up money for PARADE to keep it going but that was around the time the financial problems hit and they pulled out. Lincoln Centre could not sustain the run unless it did sensational business. It didn't. The reviews were largely unfavourable and audiences were quite sparse. I was SUPPOSED to see it when I was in New York in March 1999, but it closed in Feb 28!!!

My point was just that some shows really don't fit into the decade they happened to be recorded, written, or staged in. Like can you really call "Crazy For You" a 90's show or "42nd Street" an 80's show."

Good point. I did consider putting 42ND STREET in the 1930s but it's stage success was one of the big theatrical stories of the 1980s. CRAZY FOR YOU was one of the first BIG hits of the 1990s and helped undo the damage of a few lean seasons. Again, my criteria was when the show opened on Broadway.

#33

re: Basic Library of Cast albums

Posted: 8/19/05 at 4:00pm

Although most of us own the recordings of currently running shows, what in your opinion are the 10 shows in that category that are must-owns?

#34

re: Basic Library of Cast albums

Posted: 8/19/05 at 7:43pm

Good Question.... I can't get it down to 10.

I would have to include the 7 Tony winning Best Musicals

PHANTOM
RENT
THE LION KING
THE PRODUCERS
HAIRSPRAY
AVENUE Q
SPAMALOT

After I eliminate all the juke box shows, revues, and revivals as I did for the previous lists, I am left with:

LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA
DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

SPELLING BEE
WICKED

By default the last two would get kicked off if we have to narrow it down to 10, so I guess for this group I'd have to go to 12.

#35

re: Basic Library of Cast albums

Posted: 8/19/05 at 8:42pm

You'd rather have The Producers or Lion King over Wicked?

#36

re: Basic Library of Cast albums

Posted: 8/19/05 at 8:51pm

Not to put words in Frontrow's mouth but Yes. At least I would. I enjoy wicked, but it certainly isn't any better written than any of the mentioned shows. One, however, I feel is almost as poorly written (I'm eyeing the Shubert*), but even that is better than Wicked.

(*I just find Spamalot's score to be incredibly weak)

Updated On: 8/19/05 at 08:51 PM

#37

re: Basic Library of Cast albums

Posted: 8/19/05 at 10:52pm

Gee we were doing so well at having a thread without it turning into a WICKED discussion!!

Yes, I enjoy the OCR of PRODUCERS far more than I have enjoyed WICKED. But I would don't prefer LION KING over WICKED. I don't much care for the score of LION KING, but it's on the main list because it did win the Tony Award as Best Musical and has been a huge commercial hit. I also don't like PHANTOM OF THE OPERA's score but again it is a big commercial hit and a Tony Winner.

Hard to say which shows will have long post-Broadway lives. I don't think many smaller theatre groups will be able to afford to stage LION KING or PHANTOM or WICKED and I don't think those shows would stand up without all the dazzling scenery. On the other hand RAGTIME is just as powerful in a small intimate staging as it was in its big Broadway production.

And to answer Cages or Wings, I too find SPAMALOT a weak score mainly because most of the songs turn out to be jokes and never develop into real songs. But it did win teh Tony so it get's onto teh main list.

#38

re: Basic Library of Cast albums

Posted: 8/21/05 at 11:34am

"I recommend Chess for the 80's. Beautiful score, great performers, great orchestra, and the strong Disco music makes you get a touch of 80's."

CHESS is one of those interesing flawed pieces...too good to dismiss outright but not good enough to make the list. I suppose it could be under the list of Flops.

Don't look at the list as obligatory: just recommended shows representing each decade. These are the key titles I think should be in every public Library collection. Once you add these albums to the dozen or so cast albums of the current hits you have a pretty good overview of the genre.

I posted it primarily because so many people here ask what shows they should investigate, and I think any of the ones on the list are worthwhile.

#39

re: Basic Library of Cast albums

Posted: 8/22/05 at 2:27pm

I'm curious as to why you chose to include Blood Brothers rather than, say, Tommy, the Will Rogers Follies, or The Scarlet Pimpernel, all three of which I have seen in community productions.

BLOOD BROTHERS is done frequently by community groups. At least it is around here. There are 2 productiuons coming this season and there were 2-3 more last year! I didn't think WILL ROGERS would see much of a life after Broadway but last season two community groups here staged it (within weeks of each other..how did THAT happen???)

Taking suggestions from the group I have made a few revisions to the list, though.

#40

What a fantastic list!

Posted: 3/28/06 at 8:05pm

I don't have anywhere near 100 cast albums yet. In high school I collected film score soundtracks, but now I'm getting more into musicals. I just picked up Hair mainly because I go see the show on Saturday. Did they ever write any other musicals?

#41

What a fantastic list!

Posted: 3/28/06 at 8:14pm

Great list! Very cool little guideline and very helpful for the next time I'm go on a recording shopping spree.

It always gives me a little pang in my heart when I'm reminded that Parade was a flop. Oy.

AJ1985, although I don't think the composer/lyricist team of "Hair" worked together again (but I don't know a lot about it, so I could be wrong) I do know that MacDermot, the composer, did at least two other shows that I think are pretty amazing-- "Two Gentlemen of Verona" and a flop called "Human Comedy". Both are pretty fantastic.

#42

What a fantastic list!

Posted: 3/28/06 at 8:37pm

Anything from:

Styne
Herman
Sondheim

Poster Emeritus

#43

What a fantastic list!

Posted: 3/29/06 at 12:25am

[i]BLOOD BROTHERS is done frequently by community groups. At least it is around here. There are 2 productiuons coming this season and there were 2-3 more last year! I didn't think WILL ROGERS would see much of a life after Broadway but last season two community groups here staged it (within weeks of each other..how did THAT happen???) [/i]

Don't forget that Blood Brothers is also a classic on the West End. It's one of those classic London shows that it's a must-see. I was sorry to see how short its run was on Broadway.

If you really wanted to flesh out the collection, you might think of adding a category for West End shows that didn't transfer...

#44

What a fantastic list!

Posted: 3/29/06 at 1:04am

Actually BLOOD BROS lasted 2 years (APril 25, 1993 - April 30, 1995) for 839 performances.

Mr Roxy - never worry about a show like PARADE being a flop. Flops live on through their cast albums. In fact many flops make better recordings...like the ones I listed.

#45

What a fantastic list!

Posted: 3/29/06 at 1:49am

What is interesting about the list to me is looking at some of the early shows and thinking "there's one that I'd completely forgotten", or something I don't have that makes me want to race out just to hear it.

No, I don't think that CHESS belongs on the list. It is an unremarkable and dated score and was a flop.

frontrowcentre2 this is one of the more interesting threads for some time. Well done!

#46

What a fantastic list!

Posted: 3/29/06 at 2:54am

Well thank you!

This was actually created last summer but it's being revived and looking over the list there are few items I would change now.

I hope that some of the new members here will go and check out some of the early and classic scores at their local library.

#47

What a fantastic list!

Posted: 10/8/06 at 2:31am

BUMP

Also, I think Merrily should be replaced by La Cage Aux Folles. But that's just my opinion.

"Hey, you! You're the worst thing to happen to musical theatre since Andrew Lloyd Webber!" -Family Guy

#48

What a fantastic list!

Posted: 10/8/06 at 7:30am

I'm not quite sure why THE GOODBYE GIRL makes it on the notable flops list. It was neither good nor notable.

#49

Basic Library

Posted: 3/6/08 at 7:55am

Then there are the shows whose cast albums I got, played once or twice and shelved never to play again. I know some people like these scores but I found little to enjoy in...

THE BEAUTIFUL GAME
BY JEEVES
BY THE BEAUTIFUL SEA
JANE EYRE
JEKYLL & HYDE
MARIE CHRISTINE
STARLIGHT EXPRESS
SUNSET BLVD
WHISTLE DOWN THE WIND
YOUR OWN THING

Updated On: 3/6/08 at 07:55 AM

#50

Basic Library

Posted: 3/6/08 at 8:19am

I don't see how Nunsense is anything like a revue.

But I am happy to report that I own all of these...

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