Best Godspell Recording?

[LeadingMan051990]

Best Godspell Recording?#0

Posted: 3/11/06 at 6:25pm

Hey you guys i really want to buy a Godspell recording as I have never seen or listened to the show before. Which recording would everyone reccomend?

Thanks

[CATSNYrevival]

re: Best Godspell Recording?#1

Posted: 3/11/06 at 6:39pm

2000 off-Broadway cast recording...

[Dancinqueen123]

re: Best Godspell Recording?#2

Posted: 3/11/06 at 6:40pm

2000 off broadway

<--Sometimes it's easier to get out of a jam than into one

[daspazoo]

re: Best Godspell Recording?#3

Posted: 3/11/06 at 7:07pm

The 2000 Off-Broadway is my favorite, BUT the orchestrations/arrangements are unique to that production alone. This is not the version of the show that is usually performed or even available for liscensing.

If you had to pick a stater recording, I would pick the 1993 London Studio Recording. It's hard to find in stores, but I put a link to it on Amazon below. This recording has all the material (as currently liscensed) without the dated sound of the original recording. Bonus: a young Ruthie Henshall singing 'Turn Back, O Man.' The original would be my second choice though, and then pick up the 2000 Off-Broadway if you find you like the material.

I don't care for the movie soundtrack, and it also lacks a great deal of material (even if it does have the original version of Beautiful City), and the 2001 Touring Cast is, well, kind of embarassing.
GODSPELL 1993 London Studio Cast

...this bird is singing.

[bjivie2]

re: Best Godspell Recording?#4

Posted: 3/11/06 at 7:08pm

Daspazoo's got it right. If you're doing the show, DON'T get the 2000 revival. If you just like the music, then that's the best recording.

Eeeeeeyyyyyyyyaaaaaaaannnnnddddd aaaaaaaiiiiiiiiyyyyyyaaaaaammmmmmmm teeeeeeeelllllliiiiiinnngg yyyyooooooouuuuuuuwwwaaaahh...

[JACXR71]

re: Best Godspell Recording?#5

Posted: 3/11/06 at 8:56pm

Is anyone a fan of the 2001 touring cast recording? It was the first one I heard so I've always been partial to it, but of course I agree that the 2000 off-bway version is great.

If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?

[daspazoo]

re: Best Godspell Recording?#6

Posted: 3/11/06 at 11:52pm

2001?
Well, it's interesting. But I'm not partial to Jesus' off-key singing. "God Save the People" is a painful, to my ears anyway.

...this bird is singing.

[spiderdj82]

re: Best Godspell Recording?#7

Posted: 3/11/06 at 11:53pm

2000 off-off broadway

"They're eating her and then they're going to eat me. OH MY GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!" -Troll 2

[ShbrtAlley44]

re: Best Godspell Recording?#8

Posted: 3/11/06 at 11:59pm

If you're not familiar with the show, definitely the original off-Broadway cast. I'm partial to the movie soundtrack, but it's missing two songs, so that's kind of annoying.

I like the 2000 cast but I find it rather kills the spirit of the show by making it a pop album. I'd recommend it later, when you're more familiar with the show.