Best BRDWY Cast Recordings?

[mad4music]

Posted: 10/1/05 at 11:52am

...just got birthday money.... and I want to spend it ALL on expanding my broadway CD collection! Any MUST haves?

(so far my humble collection includes WICKED, Les Mes, Phantom, B&B, and Hairspray) ....I need more!
Updated On: 10/1/05 at 11:52 AM

[ljay889]

Posted: 10/1/05 at 11:53am

Oh lord. lol

[whatyouown223]

Posted: 10/1/05 at 11:53am

The Last Five Years.

[smartpenguin78]

Posted: 10/1/05 at 11:54am

Nice work

I say, even though for some his work is an aquired taste, some Sondheim is essential.
I think Into the Woods original broadway cast is probably the most accesible since you can get into the characters, then be amazed by the musical and lyrical genius.

I'd also get Cabaret, maybe the revival cast.

For newer shows I second Last 5 Years and throw some to love to Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (based on your current list)

Updated On: 10/1/05 at 11:54 AM

[colleen_lee]

Posted: 10/1/05 at 11:54am

Saved by the thread name change.

I'd also vote for Into the Woods.

A recording that has always gotten tons of play on my CD player has been RENT.

Updated On: 10/1/05 at 11:54 AM

[best12bars]

Posted: 10/1/05 at 12:01pm

mad4music---you'd better duck... and quickly.



Ah.. there we go. A thread name change! You are redeemed now.

Updated On: 10/1/05 at 12:01 PM

[mad4music]

Posted: 10/1/05 at 12:02pm

lol... wow... wasn't aware what a crime I was committing!

...thanx for watching out for me!

[ljay889]

Posted: 10/1/05 at 12:04pm

Okay. Well I think everyone needs to have atleast ONE Chicago recording in their collection.

I would choose from

- Chicago OBC
- Chicago Revival Cast Recording
- Chicago Original London Cast Recording

[best12bars]

Posted: 10/1/05 at 12:06pm

If you can stand something a little unconventional (at least for modern "popular" theatre CDs), I strongly recommend "Piazza."

The melodies and the performances will stay with you and continue to grow each time you listen to it. An amazing work.

If you want to stay in the pop realm, try the B'way cast of "Little Shop."

[kate2]

Posted: 10/1/05 at 12:11pm

All Shook Up has a great recording! such great voices, this cd is addicting

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 10/1/05 at 12:13pm

Wicked.
Sweet Charity.
Sweeney Todd (wait for the re-issue of the obc)
Gypsy
West Side Story
The list goes on . .

[ljay889]

Posted: 10/1/05 at 12:17pm

Avenue Q. The music is really good.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 10/1/05 at 12:25pm

I'll leave it to others to put in suggestions for the "classics," but if you're looking to add a new show to your collection, I need to go with Taboo or Tick, Tick.. BOOM! Taboo's score is beauty and genius, even if the show flopped.

[BluCat500]

Posted: 10/1/05 at 12:26pm

Parade
Sideshow
Hair-The Actors Fund of America Benefit Recording
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Gypsy
Passion
Company

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 10/1/05 at 12:30pm

Go with Blu's recommendation Jason Robert Brown's "Parade". One of the most beautiful scores written, IMO.

[ljay889]

Posted: 10/1/05 at 12:31pm

Classics :

Well you have to get to know Cy Coleman. Considered one of the most brilliant composers that ever lived.
For Cy shows, I would reccomend

- Sweet Charity
- On The Twentieth Century
- The Life (Well a recent show, but still by a classic composer)

You need some Bernstein in your life soo

- Wonderful Town (this is a must)
- West Side Story

and you can't forget about CABARET. You need a recording of that show.

Just a few "classic" suggestions for you.
Updated On: 10/1/05 at 12:31 PM

Posted: 10/1/05 at 12:32pm

Mad4music, this is going to sound rude, perhaps, and it's not meant to be.

If you do a search right here on the main board you will find hundreds of posts in various threads specific to the question you asked.

With just a small investment of your time reading the threads you'll find many, many, suggestions from hundreds of other posters on what recordings someone like yourself might to consider adding to your collectino of Broadway Original Cast recordings.

Exploring on one's own is one of the joys of life.



Updated On: 10/1/05 at 12:32 PM

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 10/1/05 at 12:32pm

No, you can't forget Cabaret. No no nonoooo.

[.LittleWing. 0224]

Posted: 10/1/05 at 12:46pm

Urinetown, Wild Party (both Lippa and LaChiusa), Chorus Line and Side Show are among my favorites right now!

[Sir Percival Glyde]

Posted: 10/1/05 at 12:49pm

out of that group, only a chorus line is worth the money.

[singingsweetee82]

Posted: 10/1/05 at 12:57pm

I second Last Five Years, Tick, Tick...BOOM and Rent. I would also like to add one of my favorite musicals of all time: Ragtime. It's a great show, and the OBC is AMAZING. Definitely a must-have!

[Sir Percival Glyde]

Posted: 10/1/05 at 1:01pm

skip everything in that group.

[grizzabella]

Posted: 10/1/05 at 1:03pm

Perhaps you should have a taste of Jerry Herman, as well. Try the classics: Mame, Hello Dolly, and add La Cage Aux Folles. Though the book never worked, the score for Mack and Mabel is a delight, too.
Jose gave wonderful advice - explore!
Also second Into the Woods, and add A Little Night Music.

[BluCat500]

Posted: 10/1/05 at 1:09pm

Evita
Kiss me Kate

Updated On: 10/1/05 at 01:09 PM

[Sir Percival Glyde]

Posted: 10/1/05 at 1:10pm

the crux of the musical, blucat, is that kate does not like to kiss "em."