Skip to main content
Shop Merch Add a Show Listing
My Shows
News on your favorite shows, specials & more!
Home For You Chat My Shows Register/Login Games Grosses

Chess recordings - I HATE making choices — Page 2

New Post Search Report Abuse Rules

Welcome Guest. Please Login or Register.

#26

re: Chess recording

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...
Hi, Shirley Temple Pudding.
#28

re: Chess recording

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.
#29

re: Chess recording

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

re: Chess recording

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.

"It's like children's theatre for 40-year old gay people!" - XANADU THE MUSICAL

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

#30

re: Chess recording

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

If you can afford both...get both.
"I'm so looking forward to a time when all the Reagan Democrats are dead."
#31

re: Chess recording

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

I really like the Danish recording.
#32

re: Chess recording

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

Don't miss out hearing the late David Carroll, who is magnificent on the OBC.
#33

re: Chess recording

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

the danish is my favorite, too. it has the best voices and orchestrations
"I'm an American, Damnit!!! And if it's three things I don't believe in, it's quitting and math."
#34

re: Chess recording

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.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian

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

#35

re: Chess recording

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. :)
#36

re: Chess recording

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.
#37

re: Chess recording

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

Concept, no question.
The truly beautiful should be lawfully restricted from wearing clothing; and the truly butt-ugly should be lawfully mandated from going naked.
#38

re: Chess recording

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.
"You pile up enough tomorrows, and you'll find you are left with nothing but a lot of empty yesterdays. I don't know about you, but I'd like to make today worth remembering." --Harold Hill from The Music Man
#39

re: Chess recording

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.
#41

re: Chess recording

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

I love the Danish, too! Good choice! re: Chess recording
#43

re: Chess recording

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

yay Michael :)
#44

re: Chess recording

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

#45

re: Chess recording

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.
#46

re: Chess recording

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)
-Anyone want to turn anarchist with me?

"Bless you and all who know you, oh wise and penguined one." ~YouWantItWhen????
#47

re: Chess recording

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.

"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22

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

#48

re: Chess recording

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!

Courage does not always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day that says, "I will try again tomorrow."
#49

re: Chess recording

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.
#50

re: Chess recording

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.

← Back to Message Board

BroadwayWorld TV

View all Videos

Ticket Central
Ticket Central Pixel
Ticket Central Pixel
Hot Show
Tickets From $59
Hot Show
Tickets From $70
Hot Show
Tickets From $59
Hot Show
Tickets From $101
More Hot Shows Discounts
Recommended For You

© 2026 — Copyright Wisdom Digital Media, all rights reserved. Privacy Policy