Chess recordings - I HATE making choices- Page 2

[jasonf]

Posted: 7/24/05 at 12:35pm

I thought the London recording has PTC in the second act, just like it is on Broadway and the concert CD...

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 7/24/05 at 12:55pm

I had always been told to buy the London one--by many people. I did, and it's excellent. :)

[sanda]

Posted: 7/24/05 at 12:56pm

London recording is a concept recording, not the same as the script on stage. Danish recording is almost the same as the original London stage version, except adding a song "someone else's story" from broadway but not singing by Florence but by Svetlana.

[bare_nakedlady]

Posted: 8/10/05 at 4:31pm

In my opinion CHESS is a continually evolving musical. My farvorite recording is the

-1994 Swedish Concert cast (in English) pictured here.
-Then the London concept, and finally
-The Broadway Recording.

Haven't heard the Danish recording.

The Swedish Recording includes "Someone Else's Story" and "The Soviet Machine" Both Awesome Songs.

You can find several versions of the script on the internet. Tim Rice is continually changing the book to this musical. He believes that there is no definitive version.

Updated On: 8/10/05 at 04:31 PM

[robbiej]

Posted: 8/10/05 at 4:35pm

If you can afford both...get both.

[morosco]

Posted: 8/10/05 at 4:43pm

I really like the Danish recording.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 8/10/05 at 4:45pm

Don't miss out hearing the late David Carroll, who is magnificent on the OBC.

[Pippin]

Posted: 8/10/05 at 4:48pm

the danish is my favorite, too. it has the best voices and orchestrations

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 8/10/05 at 5:18pm

My favorites are the concept and concert recordings. The Danish recording is my least favorite, though I've tried hard to like it. It has the worst orchestrations (smaller sound with more instruments replaced by synthesizer), the worst ending (Florence adopts Anatol's "Anthem" as the finale), and the worst Freddy (his first appearance using his vowel-spreading hyena-voice in Merano is cringe-worthy and makes me want to skip all his tracks). The Broadway cast is good, but is missing half of the score and has a more antiseptic studio sound. The Swedish recording is wonderful (as is the DVD), but makes me long to speak Swedish so I can understand the lyrics.

PS - Elaine Paige NEVER EVER "screeches". Ever.

Updated On: 8/10/05 at 05:18 PM

[Mother's Younger Brother]

Posted: 8/10/05 at 5:20pm

I'm with Chita. Go with the Danish touring cast.

Although I think the Broadway cast is all-around better sung. :)

[jaybrrd]

Posted: 8/10/05 at 5:37pm

I say go with the Swedish Concert album. It's the most complete recording to date (as far as I know), sung beautifully with a huge chorus, and sumptuously orchestrated. The transition from Merano into the American's entrance gave me chills the first time I heard it.

[baddadnpa]

Posted: 8/10/05 at 5:39pm

Concept, no question.

[Enjolras77]

Posted: 8/10/05 at 5:39pm

I own the London Concept Recording and I have the OBC on vinyl. Is the OBC even available anymore on CD? I know it pops up on eBay from time to time, but I don't think it is in print anymore. Even though I love the London recording, I think the performances are much better on the OBC--and it has the song "Someone Else's Story" which it one of my favorites! Also you can't beat David Carroll as Anatoly. I do like Murray Head from the London recording better as the American/Freddy.

[lfae]

Posted: 8/10/05 at 7:23pm

Danish/international cast for SURE. Michael Cormick! :)

Although the 2003 benefit concert would make the best recording, I agree with those who've already suggested it.

[Thenardier]

Posted: 8/11/05 at 11:28pm

Danish it was.

Playing now!

Thanks all!

I LOVE IT!

LOVE IT!

[whimsical]

Posted: 8/11/05 at 11:30pm

I love the Danish, too! Good choice!

[Thenardier]

Posted: 8/11/05 at 11:37pm

[lfae]

Posted: 8/12/05 at 6:18am

yay Michael :)

[yipching]

Posted: 10/1/05 at 10:43am

It's funny to hear someone refer to Elaine Paige as "that other woman."

Get the OLC: It has Tommy Korberg, The London Symphony Orchestra, and the personal care and attention of Time Rice, Benny Andersson, and Bjorn Ulvaeus.

As far as the Broadway verson, it sounds chintzy and, well, Broadway. I do believe that Tim Rice completely disowned that particular project...



Save Josta! Updated On: 10/1/05 at 10:43 AM

[kyle33nyc]

Posted: 10/1/05 at 11:16am

Murray Head offers a much more theatrical and exciting performance as Freddy on the London concept album. Elaine Paige is a strong singer who can handle the Broadway and rock elements of the score, but she isn't as dyanmic as Judy Kuhn. Kuhn really belts out her numbers, and seems much more believable as a secretary / chess prodigy than the somewhat refined Paige. I can appreciate Elaine Paige, but it is hard to believe that she is the absolute best singer the West End has had to offer over the past 30 years. She is the Brits' equivalent of Bernadette Peters, which I can't understand for the life of me...

I think the Broadway cast album ultimately works better than the London concept album because it is less artificial and polished. The concept album is beautifully made, but seems so so sophisticated and distant. The Broadway cast album seems much more immediate and in your face. The rock songs (well, except a poorly executed One Night in Bangkok) sound like they could be played on top 40 radio. And even though we only get one disc, the story seems to make more sense in the abbreviated version. I like the Hungarian framing device to help explain Florence's mixed feelings about Anatoly.

[Pinguin]

Posted: 10/1/05 at 11:23am

"It's funny to hear someone refer to Elaine Paige as "that other woman.""

HA, I just really can't stand her -I threw away my London recording the minute I listened to the OBC :0)

[best12bars]

Posted: 10/1/05 at 11:56am

I love Judy Kuhn, but I actually perfer "that other woman" (Elaine Paige, ha!) for Chess.

The concept album rules. I dig Murray Head's voice as well. He has that Phil Collins pop sound. So very '80s, but it works.

And "I Know Him So Well" with Paige and Barbara Dickson is terrific.

But Paige singing "Nobody's Side." That can't be touched by anyone else.

Updated On: 10/1/05 at 11:56 AM

[nycdncr]

Posted: 10/1/05 at 1:29pm

the danish recording is superior. i bought it while on tour in denmark three years ago. love it!

[Fizz]

Posted: 10/1/05 at 3:13pm

I can't really tell you which is better- my school did Chess for our spring musical last year and the teacher who was directing, Bayler, liked some songs from the concept and some from the OBC and kinda mixed them and gave them out to everyone like that.

I don't believe either album has the reporters song, however, because we weren't able to get a hold of one. (Yay reporters)

I would try to find clips of each and figure out which voices you prefer. Maybe Amazon has clips?

What I know everyone really wants is that benefit cast recording.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 10/1/05 at 3:15pm

The one thing that upsets me about the benefit is they don't use Russian accents.

Danish is the best - I think.

And is the most complete.