CATS DVD/Video Audio Recording

[JasonM12480]

Posted: 2/20/06 at 3:27pm

I know that the soundtrack for the CATS DVD was recorded in a London recording studio. Is there a recording of just the audio available anywhere? When I say this, I mean is there a CD available of the DVD soundtrack with that particular cast. Just curious, since it's such a complete recording with really great performances.

[My Strongest Suit]

Posted: 2/20/06 at 3:42pm

you like CATS? i'm sorry.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 2/20/06 at 3:56pm

there was never a CATS soundtrack CD release to my knowledge, which is a shame...

[JasonM12480]

Posted: 2/20/06 at 5:30pm

Yes, I happen to love the show. My cousin, Michael Barriskill, was Mr. Mistofolees on Broadway in 1989 (and toured with the National Tour cast), and I will be playing Old Deuteronomy this summer in Virginia. So I have a history with the show.

You like Wicked? I'm sorry. LOL - see?

[My Strongest Suit]

Posted: 2/20/06 at 6:14pm

i apologize, i just don't understand that musical. there's no story. it does have some good songs, though.

[philcrosby]

Posted: 2/20/06 at 6:22pm

CATS was quite revolutionary when it opened, getting rave reviews in both NYC and London and winning tons of awards. Its long run, playing to just tourists ad nauseum, probably tarnished its reputation.

And yes, it has no story, just a narrative thread. Just like AIN'T MISBEHAVIN'. It's a fairly brilliant musical revue.

[BrianWilsonFan]

Posted: 2/20/06 at 6:25pm

Hi, don't you know anyone who can make a CD pass from the DVD?

Updated On: 2/20/06 at 06:25 PM

[*MuSiCaLs_FaN*]

Posted: 2/20/06 at 8:01pm

I will agree with you I would actually like a copy of that version, as there are a few new arrangements for songs etc.. (ie Mungojerry & Rumpleteaser) and interesting thing to note tho - Jo Gibb (Rumpleteaser) and the guy playing 'Skimble' (so sorry hi name escapes me for now!) were actually DUBBED! when it was released and they weren't told! Apparently the Skimbleshanks guy wasn't a singer so that's not so bad but Jo Gibb CAN SING and was mighty disappinted!!! (altho the girl who dubbs her is still great!)

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 2/20/06 at 8:05pm

The singing and arrangement from the CATS dvd is the best I have heard. It is a real shame that it wasn't released. Maybe if we bombard the Really Useful Group's website with requests, they might release it.

[Mythus]

Posted: 2/20/06 at 9:05pm

*MuSiCaLs_FaN*, I know it says they were in the DVD credits, but is that really true? I might be making this up, but I remember there being controversy about that...

[Fosse76]

Posted: 2/20/06 at 9:08pm

They weren't dubbed. According to a few people who knew them (when the video was first released), you hear the actors themselves. I assume they were originally going to be dubbed but they ended up being better singers than anticipated. Who knows? But from what the actors themselves had said they weren't dubbed.

[OverTheBoone]

Posted: 2/20/06 at 9:09pm

I created a CD of just the audio via the DVD. I was very disappointed that they didn't release an audio CD, so I decided to make one on my own. I think it was pretty easy, and turned out well. It's a nice addition to my collection of broadway musical/musical movie soundtracks.

*MuSiCaLs_FaN* wrote:
"I will agree with you I would actually like a copy of that version, as there are a few new arrangements for songs etc.. (ie Mungojerry & Rumpleteaser) and interesting thing to note tho - Jo Gibb (Rumpleteaser) and the guy playing 'Skimble' (so sorry hi name escapes me for now!) were actually DUBBED! when it was released and they weren't told! Apparently the Skimbleshanks guy wasn't a singer so that's not so bad but Jo Gibb CAN SING and was mighty disappinted!!! (altho the girl who dubbs her is still great!)"

Is it confirmed that their voices were dubbed? From what I've read, I thought that it was just a rumor, but nobody knew if it was actually true--I've seen some places that say it is true, and other places say that it is false. But in any case, the singer had a very nice voice--and accent as well.

[CanadianSnowbird]

Posted: 2/20/06 at 9:49pm

I really enjoyed the movie and was disappointed that there wasn't a cd recording of it. I got the broadway highlights for my birthday one year, but I don't enjoy it as much.

[Anne_here]

Posted: 2/20/06 at 9:55pm

The only release I ever saw was the Elaine Paige CD Single for "Memory". I'm surprised they didn't release a full length, as they did for Joseph and Jesus Christ Superstar.

[misto625]

Posted: 2/20/06 at 9:56pm

My understanding is that Skimbleshanks was dubbed because they wanted a Scottish accent and Jemima was dubbed for some reason that escapes me, but Jo Gibb is not dubbed.

[BSoBW3]

Posted: 2/20/06 at 10:01pm

I enjoy Cats.

And there IS a plot.

It's one thing to say you don't LIKE a show. Another to say "I'm sorry" to someone who does.

[Princeton78]

Posted: 2/20/06 at 10:51pm

Nicely said BSoBW3...
Cats was the first musical I saw and got me started on seeing, loving and appreciating musical theatre.

*It employed hundreds of actors, stagehands, musicians and others for years and years.
*It produced a song known round the world.
*It was employment for future well-known actors like Charlotte D'Amboise, Bryan Batt, Terrence Mann, Brenda Braxton, Lilias White, and Liz Callaway
*It won Betty Buckley her only Tony Award
*It ran for 17 years...20 in London I believe
*It is still touring
*It's revenue between tickets, merchandise, cast recordings, DVD/Video, and general boost to the local resturant economy has been huge

They were doing something right.

Updated On: 2/20/06 at 10:51 PM

[*MuSiCaLs_FaN*]

Posted: 2/21/06 at 7:38pm

Jo Gibb is dubbed, my friend was recently in 'Chitty' with her and she confirmed this she wasn't told she was going to be dubbed it was done after it was filmed and 'Skimbleshanks' wasn't dubbed purely becoz they wanted a scottish accent, the actor was also not a singerbut an amazing dancer!

[best12bars]

Posted: 2/21/06 at 7:55pm

According to the IMDb listing (as "verified complete") a few of the performers were dubbed.

Personally, I liked all of the voices in this staged/filmed version, except for the lady who sang "Gus the Theatre Cat." There was something about her voice (the placement of it, and the wobbly vibrato) that really bugged me. I mean REALLY bugged me beyond anything reasonable. I don't usually have allergic reactions to performers like that. And I missed the gorgeous, soft tones from Bonnie Simmons, who sang this part in the OBC.
IMDb link.

[lovinlife]

Posted: 2/22/06 at 11:33am

Cats was the first musical I saw and got me started on seeing, loving and appreciating musical theatre.

*It employed hundreds of actors, stagehands, musicians and others for years and years.
*It produced a song known round the world.
*It was employment for future well-known actors like Charlotte D'Amboise, Bryan Batt, Terrence Mann, Brenda Braxton, Lilias White, and Liz Callaway
*It won Betty Buckley her only Tony Award
*It ran for 17 years...20 in London I believe
*It is still touring
*It's revenue between tickets, merchandise, cast recordings, DVD/Video, and general boost to the local resturant economy has been huge

They were doing something right.

Beautiful!!!!! This show did not offer a CD for the DVD release which is a shame. Some voices were dubbed, some were not. It's right in the credits!!!!!!

[Fosse76]

Posted: 2/22/06 at 12:55pm

A few were dubbed, a few weren't. Though Drew Varley and Jo Gibb are in the credits as having been dubbed, they weren't. One actor couldn't do the Scottish accent, so he was dubbed. Another actress didn't really speak English well, so they dubbed her. I think they were the only two who were actually dubbed.