Chess recording question

[Plexsis]

Posted: 2/18/10 at 2:27pm

I read somewhere (I believe it was here, actually). That a recording was made of the 2003 concert starring Josh Groban and Julia Murney, but I can't seem to find it anywhere.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 2/18/10 at 2:39pm

There is no commercial recording of that performance.

[StarUsher]

Posted: 2/18/10 at 2:41pm

As far as I heard it was physically recorded the night of the production but was not allowed to be released because one or more of the performers record labels refused to agree to it. I also heard it was Josh Groban in particular, which would make sense considering a) not that many of the performers were associated with a lable to start with and b) the London concert was ultimately released under Warner Bros records, the label he's signed to. It's easy to see how they wouldn't agree to it unless they got to release the recording. If anyone knows anything different, please feel free to correct me.

[Justin D]

Posted: 2/18/10 at 2:41pm

It wasn't

atleast not officially

there are clips on youtube though, but no actual CD produced because (i believe) problems with Groban's label at the time.

yor'e not missing anything, It wasn't much better than the London concert

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 2/18/10 at 2:56pm

I think the London concert is far superior. Tons of sour notes in the 2003 concert.

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 2/18/10 at 3:17pm

At least, the 2003 concert had a Florence that wasn't Idina.

[#1Elphie]

Posted: 2/18/10 at 3:25pm

I loved the 2003 concert.

[alxscrz2]

Posted: 2/18/10 at 3:31pm

Plexsis, check your inbox :)

[Upland]

Posted: 2/18/10 at 7:23pm

You can check out Julia Murney singing "Nobody's on Nobody's Side" on YouTube. She is pretty kicka$$.

[broadwayjim42]

Posted: 2/18/10 at 10:36pm

Thank you Mattbrain.

She pretty much single-handedly ruined the Royal Albert Hall performance for me. I don't even think I've made it through the entire CD yet.

[Upland]

Posted: 2/20/10 at 12:52am

Jodi Benson played Florence in Chess many years ago. it was the first time I'd seen the show, so I thought she was pretty great - but it was so long ago, I'm not sure now whether it was that I was just an impressionable kid, and she looked so pretty...

[pinoyonbroadway]

Posted: 2/20/10 at 3:00am

I have a recording of Jodi Benson in Chess and I thought she was pretty good. But for me, I will always love Elaine Paige and Emma Kershaw as Florence

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 2/20/10 at 4:12am

I actually liked Idina in the role, which surprised me because I normally don't care for her voice. In Wicked, I preferred Ana Gasteyer, in Rent I preferred Haven Burton, but I liked her in Chess. She is still no Elaine Paige though.

[Upland]

Posted: 2/20/10 at 2:13pm

Ok, you got me with Elaine Paige - She sounds awesome