Cast Recording Suggestions

[PickleMonster]

Posted: 9/4/10 at 6:41pm

This has probably been discussed many times before, but does anyone have anyone have any suggestions for cast recordings I should get? I don't have very many because I have just recently began to listen to musicals. These are the ones I have:

[In the Heights]
[Urinetown]
[Rent]
Fame
Wicked
Seussical
Thoroughly Modern Millie

The first three are my favorite. Any suggestions?

[ClapYo'Hands]

Posted: 9/4/10 at 6:46pm

Anything Angela Lansbury, Stephen Sondheim or Jerry Herman.

Also West Side Story, South Pacific, Gypsy and Fiddler on the Roof

[philly03]

Posted: 9/4/10 at 6:50pm

Gypsy
Jekyll & HYDE
Ragtime
Legally Blonde

[bryan]

Posted: 9/4/10 at 6:52pm

if you love muiscals buy all of them and buy the flops too.

[andi1235]

Posted: 9/4/10 at 7:56pm

Once On This Island is lots of fun. Since you like Rent, Tick, Tick...Boom! is a good one. Avenue Q is funny. There are SO many, it's tough to make suggestions. I'd go to the Accuradio Broadway channel (http://www.accuradio.com/broadway/) and listen to that a while. Then buy the albums that have songs you like. :)

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 9/4/10 at 9:52pm

Have a look at this list for some suggestions, especially teh older classics that newcomers tend to overlook.

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.php?thread=863740#4032332

[Lenexajones]

Posted: 9/4/10 at 11:57pm

Check them out at the public library and discover for yourself what you like.

[uncageg]

Posted: 9/5/10 at 12:30am

I have been listening to "Allegro" a lot since I got it in December. Not a "cast recording" but a recording of the music and it is wonderful. Laura Benanti, Norbert Leo Butz, Liz Callaway, Judy Kuhn, Audra McDonald, and Danny Burstein are on the recording.

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 9/5/10 at 12:36am

Uncageg - That CD of ALLEGRO is indeed a "cast recording" - just that instead of being cast from a particular production, it was assembled in studio for that particular recording.

Many shows from the 1930s and earlier did not get proper original cast albums and are preserved in later studio cast discs.

[mallardo]

Posted: 9/5/10 at 4:31am

Judging from your three favorites you should get Next To Normal.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 9/5/10 at 5:31am

Well, you leave the door wide open -- why not pick a genre for now: Classics? Fluff? Hits? Groundbreaking? Contemporary?

Here's a few of my favorites:
Next to Normal
South Pacific
Guys and Dolls (NOT the recent revivial)
Hair
Oklahoma
Follies
Company
The King and I
A Chorus Line
Les Miserable
Ragtime
Sunday in the Park with George

Happy Hunting!

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 9/5/10 at 4:21pm

HAPPY HUNTING with Merman?

[twinbelters]

Posted: 9/5/10 at 6:56pm

I think you should get:

"St. Louis Woman" Encores! cast to get a flavor for Harold Arlen.

If you want to be overwhelmed with beauty and good feelings get the OBC recording of "The Most Happy Fella"

"Company" is a good entry into Stephen Sondheim, get the OBC recording.

"The Rink" is a good Kander and Ebb score that I think would be suited to your tastes.

"The Human Comedy" is a lovely score by Galt Macdermot (Hair) and I think fits with your tastes. Like "The Rink" we are lucky to have cast recordings as both musicals were 80's Broadway flops. For that matter, you would probably like the OBC of "Baby."

If you can still get your hands on the remastered Kritzerland reissue of "Promises, Promises" OBC recording it is a must and a great example of contemporary pop sounds mingling with theater sounds.

"In Trousers," "March of the Falsettos," and "Falsettoland" comprise the Marvin Trilogy and all are very good if a bit esoteric at times. I think you will be take aback by these scores. If anything you must get the latter two which comprise the Tony winning Broadway musical "Falsettos."

"Happy Hunting," sure, but get "Gypsy" OBC first. =)

[After Eight]

Posted: 9/5/10 at 11:04pm

Since you're just beginning your discovery (and enjoyment) of musicals, why not try one representative musical from past decades to see if you like the sound of it. If you do, you can then expand to other musicals of that period. For example, you could try "Oklahoma" from the 40s; "My Fair Lady" from the 50s; "Hello, Dolly" from the 60s; "Follies" from the 70s; "Phantom" from the 80s.

Enjoy your discoveries!

[maggiemar142]

Posted: 9/5/10 at 11:40pm

Company (recent revival with Esparza is my favorite)
Gypsy (LuPone revival)
Sweeney Todd (LuPone revival)
Spring Awakening (you'll probably really like this one based on your current favorites.)
[title of show]
The Last 5 Years (my absolute favorite!)
A Chorus Line (recent revival)

[Pippin]

Posted: 9/5/10 at 11:51pm

based on your list, you should consider

Next to Normal
Tick, Tick, Boom
Pippin
Ragtime
Once on This Island
Tommy
Hedwig and the Angry Inch
The Last 5 Years
Godspell (2000 off-Broadway recording)
A New Brain
Parade
Reefer Madness
Spring Awakening
Godspell

Hope that helps get you started