Cast recordings better than actual show

Posted: 4/24/13 at 11:46pm

Can you think of any shows that have cast recordings that are better than the actual show itself?

[blaxx]

Posted: 4/24/13 at 11:50pm

What?

[John Adams]

Posted: 4/24/13 at 11:51pm

I love the show AND the CD, but the studio recording of BARE will probably never sound that good live. The original Dreamgirls CD is like that for me, too. Updated On: 4/24/13 at 11:51 PM

[blaxx]

Posted: 4/24/13 at 11:52pm

The fact it sounds good doesn't mean the recording is better than the show.

[philly03]

Posted: 4/24/13 at 11:55pm

"The Civil War" Concept Album... huge orchestra (I believe 60 pieces) and stars from Broadway and the pop world. Great record. (Usually a slow show)

[John Adams]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 12:03am

>> "The fact it sounds good doesn't mean the recording is better than the show."

You're right - the lighting, sets and costumes were SOOOOO much better in the show than on the CD.

[blaxx]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 12:05am

Yeah!

[John Adams]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 12:06am

[chrisampm2]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 1:29am

The topic is being treated as if it were ridiculous, but shows with problematic books &/or inadequate initial productions often make a better case for themselves on their OCRs, for example Merrily.

[binau]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 1:32am

I do feel this is closely related to:

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.php?thread=1058102&dt=34&mobile=on

[Idiot]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 2:37am

To the original poster, I knew what you meant immediately.

RENT is the best example for me. Loved it with my ears, didn't much care for it with my eyes.

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR would be my next example.

[Brave Sir Robin2]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 3:09am

Disney's On The Record. Boring premise and not much to look at, but some great voices and arrangements.

[AnythingGoes23]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 3:23am

I think the recent revival of Follies, could listen to cast recording all day, but to sit through it was a snooze feet I found, its one of my favourite shows, but Bernadette lacked any fire, Jan looked wooden and EPs accent was dreadful. Terri White doing Who's that woman was the only real highlight for me watching the show.

[adam.peterson44]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 3:43am

I agree about the Bare studio recording - the four leads have such wonderful voices, and I have never seen a production that I enjoyed as much as listening to that recording (2 productions in the previous version (as on the recording) and once in the revised version off-broadway last year).

[latitudex1]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 4:06am

The Wonderland and Jekyll and Hyde Concept Album (2012) are pretty decently produced modern pop records.

We all know how both stage.

[bobs3]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 5:14am

MACK AND MABEL comes to mind. On paper it looks like a sure-fire hit -- Jerry Herman, Gower Champion, David Merrick, Robert Preston and Bernadette Peters collaborating on a musical about Mack Sennett and Mabel Normand. The show became a famous flop but to listen to the OBC recording one can't help but think "how did this show fail?"

Updated On: 4/25/13 at 05:14 AM

[Dave19]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 5:14am

Not really a cast recording, but I would say that no production of Jekyll & Hyde can live up to the concept album with Anthony Warlow.

[Princeton Returns]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 5:26am

Miss Saigon

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 8:27am

Jesus Christ Superstar is a perfect example of a show that simply works better as a recording.

[bradwds]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 9:55am

I totally agree regarding Anthony Warlow on the Jekyll and Hyde recording. His vocal performance is amazing. I ended up importing all his solo CDs as well as the Secret Garden EP after listening to J&H.

[newintown]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 9:59am

With most flops, the recording is better than the show, because most shows flop because of book problems, and the book isn't recorded.

I've seen and heard tons of flops where the songs were terrific, and the scenes put you to sleep.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 10:05am

Not such an unusual topic.

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.php?page=1&boardname=bway&thread=79838#80370

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.php?page=1&boardname=bway&thread=930042#2902000

[pathman2]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 10:07am

High Fidelity for me. So listenable, so hard to sit through.

[dave1606]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 10:12am

Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown.

So many aspects of that score just didn't work for me onstage, yet, it is so listenable on the cast album.

Bonnie and Clyde also sounds pretty great.

I agree about Wonderland.

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 10:44am

My go to example, I s'pose would be Catch Me If You Can.