Best Cast Recordings of All Time?

So recently I discovered that my local public library has a pretty large collection of cast recordings of tons of shows. There aren't too many new ones but the library is on a loaning program with other libraries that give me access to lots of material.

What cast recordings do you think are the best of all time that I should listen to? (Show and Production) There are lots of threads about best recordings of a particular show but I haven't seen threads asking for lists of "best recordings of any show." Since some of the shows would probably be ones that I've never seen or know little about, recordings that provide some context and include essential dialogue are probably preferable.

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Sweeney Todd OBC, Guys and Dolls revival cast recording

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I would have to add Company (OBC), Oklahoma (1979 Broadway), Les Miserables (Original London) and On the Twentieth Century.

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There are a few, but I think Evita with Patti LuPone would be somewhere at the top of my list. It's not even one of my favorite scores I just love hearing Patti sing it.

Among the lesser-known ones, I would say try Greenwillow, Tenderloin, Milk and Honey, and Dear World.

They're top-notch.

GYPSY (OBC) because of a spectacular Merman.
MY FAIR LADY (OBC) rather than the London cast album, because of the vitality and enthusiasm of the NY cast. Remember that cast albums used to be recorded on the first Sunday after the opening, when everyone was fresh. This was, of course, before Sunday matinees.
SOUTH PACIFIC (OBC) because of Mary Martin and the great Ezio Pinza.
CAROUSEL(1966 Lincoln Center Revival, supervised by Richard Rodgers, because of John Raitt. The sound is better than the OBC album.
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF (OBC) because of the enthusiasm that comes through.
SHOWBOAT(1988 Studio Cast recording, conducted by John McGlinn). Grab this one.
THE MOST HAPPY FELLA (OBC-Complete Recording on 2 CD's) Arguably the finest score of ANY Broadway Musical.

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Updated On: 3/22/12 at 04:24 PM

Of the lesser-known shows, I think Goldilocks ranks the highest. I was obsessed the first time I heard it.

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I agree with Mr. Matt about GOLDILOCKS which I was lucky enough to see twice back in 1958. It is still available on Amazon.
Let me add LI'L ABNER (OBC) from 1956. A great score, conducted by Lehman Engel.

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OBCR:

City of Angels
The Will Rogers Follies
The Grass Harp
Side by Side by Sondheim
Hallelujah, Baby
She Loves Me
Hair
Titanic
Purlie
Grey Gardens
Sweeney Todd
Fiddler on the Roof
Funny Girl
On The Twentieth Century
Next to Normal

OOCR:

Threepenny Opera (Public Theater Revival with Raul Julia)
Berlin to Broadway with Kurt Weill
Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris (original (although I am not an Elly Stone fan, Shawn Elliot is wonderful and the rest of the cast is good) and revival)

Pardon My English (1993 studio cast recording)

Updated On: 3/22/12 at 04:47 PM

I think COMPANY (1970- Columbia) is excellent. Maybe the best cast album ever? And both SUNDAY IN THE PARK... ('84- RCA) and SWEENEY TODD ('79- RCA) which are shows where dialogue and songs interweave constantly are just wonderfully put together. (Since this is coming across as a Sondheim info-mertial, Happy Birthday Steve!)

Also a big fan of the MAME (1966- Columbia) album. Those might be my top 4 favorite cast albums. I'm sure I'm missing others.

Oh, I didn't even think of MARCH OF THE FALSETTOS booth. That IS a fabulous album! Good pick!

I would second House of Flower - OBC. It's really lovely recording.
and Caroline, or Change - OBC.

I'd also add
Floyd Collins - OCR
Merrily We Roll Along - OBC
Gypsy - Angela Lansbury London Cast Recording
Porgy and Bess - Houston Grand Opera
Candide - OBC


I also really enjoyed the Live Sweeney Todd/NY Phil recording with George Hearn and Patti Lupone.

And one more thing, many libraries have Lps as well, there is a WONDERFUL recording of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? - OBC. Many libraries have it, you can usually find out out on their site.

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"Best cast recordings of All Time" is impossible to say because so many haven't been recorded as yet.

But ..to revive an old thread, back in 2005 I made a list of what I considered to be eseential recordings/scores and this list would be worth cross-checking with your library's holdings:

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.php?thread=863740#4066818

I should probably update the list covering shows of the last decade.

Enjoy!

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