Beauty and the Beast cast recordings

[Wild Roses]

Posted: 4/27/07 at 1:02am

I apologize if this has already been asked and answered. I did a search, I promise, but I couldn't find any topics on this so I think it is safe to ask this question.

Which is the best B&tB cast recording? I know there are several.

I have listened to the Broadway one but I find Susan Egan's voice slightly grating (she reminds me of Ann Reinking in her singing style and I can't stand A.R.'s screechy voice) So I was wondering if any of the other recordings are better, or if I should just stick to buying the OBCA?

Thanks for your imput.

Posted: 4/27/07 at 1:04am

Wow I'd NEVER heard or even considered a Reinking/Egan comparison--hrmmm.

[BroomstickBoy]

Posted: 4/27/07 at 1:05am

I've only heard the OBC and Aussie cast recording. I've been trying to get my hands on the London recording.

I wouldn't recommend the Aussie cast recording unless you like Hugh Jackman, since he's the only good thing about it, and he makes a good Gaston but the Belle in that cast is awful.


I guess Susan's voice grates a bit but she was young. I listen to the OBC and find her voice a bit light, but it was her character voice. I might be a bit biased because I love Susan Egan. but anywho...

just my 2 cents.

Updated On: 4/27/07 at 01:05 AM

[gumbo2]

Posted: 4/27/07 at 1:06am

I don't know about any other recordings, but I agree with you that Susan Egan's voice on the OBCR does grate my nerves at times. I also wish A Change In Me were on it...though I realize it was written later.

[Wild Roses]

Posted: 4/27/07 at 1:11am

Well, I do admit it could be just a long time familiarity with the film soundtrack that is biasing me against Egan's voice (althugh I like everybody else on the OBCA of B&tB). (I do think AR is a far, far worse singer than Egan is. Egan is way more tolerable though. I'll have to find some of her later stuff if her voice has matured and sounds better than it did on the OBCA.)

Besides, the point isn't about the singers whose voices I can't stand, but what is the best B&tB cast recording.
Updated On: 4/27/07 at 01:11 AM

[Wild Roses]

Posted: 4/27/07 at 1:12am

sorry, double post. Updated On: 4/27/07 at 01:12 AM

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 4/27/07 at 1:22am

I actually didn't really care for Hugh on the BatB Australian cast recording songs I heard. I think he was more noted for his overall performance as Gaston even though his voice wasn't, in my opinion, that amazing for the role. Don't get me wrong - I love Hugh Jackman's voice and the guy is extremely talented!

I didn't care for the Aussie Belle either.

Even though this is minor, one thing I do like about the Aussie cast recording is that they include the dance break during Gaston on it.

The only other recordning I heard other than that is the American Broadway one. Susan Egan's Belle voice isn't my favorite, but I'd recommend the cast recording.

[dancinfan]

Posted: 4/27/07 at 2:16am

London is the best-sounding and most accurate of the English language ones I've heard.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 4/27/07 at 2:34am

I like the London recording the best, but I only really like Susan Egan's Belle. The London Belle is okay, and I love the Australian cast because of Hugh Jackman, but the Belle on the Aussie CD is the WORST Belle I've ever heard.

Posted: 4/27/07 at 2:42am

WHo's on the London one? I saw it in 1999 and I assume it wasn't the openign cast--Barrowman was in fine voice as the Beast but soap star Michelle Gayle (?) was not so fine voiced as Belle though she had good presence--they already had the newer song written for Toni "A Change in Me" included in the show though and I don't think it's on any recording is it?

I wonder why O'Hara (?) from the soundtrack never went on to any other major musical roles I know of? The only other CD I have of hers is the 3 disc complete 1980s recording of SHow Boat
Updated On: 4/27/07 at 02:42 AM

[clarky]

Posted: 4/27/07 at 4:18am

I love beauty so here are the cast recordings I have of the Show:

Broadway Cast - Susan Egan

London Cast - Alisdair Harvey / Julie-Alanah Brighten

Australian Cast - Michael Cormick / Rachel Beck / Hugh Jackman

Vienna Cast - Ethan Freeman / Caroline Vasicek

Stuttgart - Uwe Kröger / Leah Delos Santos

Japan Cast

Madrid Cast


I prefer the Vienna Cast because Ethan is a really good Beast and Stuttgart Cast because Leah is a great Belle. But these are in German

From the English recordings, the Broadway is still the best one.

But nothing really compares to the Animated Feature Soundtrack.

[otto]

Posted: 4/27/07 at 5:29am

A Change in Me with the original soft ending is on the Dutch Cast recording...

Not sure about the newer Belgium recording, but they speak Dutch there as well don't they? so it's probably quite similar...

But the Dutch recording is a nice recording anyway…

Posted: 4/27/07 at 6:26am

I agree that nothing touches the Original SOUNDTRACK...Paige O'Hara is just, WOW.

I think it's on the Aladdin bonus disc where there is an Alan Menken documentary and they talk about how Howard Ashman live by phone from the hospital had one note for Paige when recording "Something There," the "new and a bit alarming part"..."STREISAND"...I always think that now when I hear it and smile to myself...

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 4/27/07 at 2:35pm

Susan Egan did record "A Change in Me" for one of her solo CDs, Eric. Whenever I listen to the OBC I just insert that song in its proper place...

Posted: 4/27/07 at 8:53pm

Ooh cool I'll check it out--I have on video the Toni Braxton Rosie performance but otherwise usually forget the song was even written

E

[StarStruckGB]

Posted: 4/27/07 at 9:35pm

The OBC recording is the Only one I think is worth buying for Beauty & the Beast.
If you're missing out on Gary Beach's Lumiere, too bad for you.

=)