OBC, hands down!
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/14/04
I would say go with the OBC. It is perfect in every way. I was very dissapointed with the new london recording. Also, if you are really into the show, the Spanish recording is AWESOME. The Che is incredible, though the Evita is just okay.
For me, it's the concept album... I just think everything about it is brilliant -- both lush and raw. The arrangements are fantastic, early Colm is great to hear and Julie Covington just gives me chills. It's my favorite recording.
My next favorite is probably the 2006 London revival.
I was really expecting this to turn into a Bash-Madonna thread, but surprisingly not.
I've got the records for the concept album and original London (but since I don't have a record player anymore, I haven't listened to them in a long time), but I thought the Che in London (David Essex?) was particularly good.
Patti is great in the OBC, but I don't like the sound of Mandy Patinkin's voice (although he does sing well).
I saw the London revival several months after it opened, and I thought Elena Roger had mellowed and her accent diminished, making her performance better and less harsh than on the recording. Matt Rawle's accent seemed to veer wildly (British, American, Spanish/latin), although his performance was decent. I'm sorry that production didn't last long or make it to Broadway, as I thought it was terrific and would have liked to see it again.
I amost never listen to the movie soundtrack, although Madonna's "You Must Love Me" is OK, as I recall. (Elena Roger does that song well, too.)
Aside: What happened to "The Lady's Got Potential" in the OBC? Did they cut that song? I like that song.
I guess I am in the minority, but I love the OLC with Elaine Paige. I tend to listen to that more than Broadway, as I am not a huge Mandy Patankin fan.
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