Couple Cast Recording Questions

I tend to prefer revival cast recordings as often there is more music included and you get a better sound quality. Though, most people here will probably suggest the original cast recordings because, you know... they saw the original productions.

My personal preferences:

Show Boat - 1993 revival or if you are something of a purist, the 1988 studio set
Pacific Overtures - OBC (orchestrations and energy cannot be beat)
Pal Joey - 1995 Concert cast (1952 revival would be second)

---

My suggestions on these:

Should I get the original Showboat Cast Recording or should I get the revival with Rebecca Luker?

Of the cast recordings, the 1993 Toronto cast (Luker, Jacoby, Stritch) is the best and most theatrical but for the authentic 1927 version go with Emi's 3-CD set. The booklet alone is worth the price.


Should I get the the original or revival of Pacific Overtures?

The original. The revival is a worthwhile alternate but if you start with anything other than the original it should be the 2-CD set of the ENO production, which has all the dialogue as well as the score.


And which is the best recording of Pal Joey to get? Is the original any good?

There is no "original." Goddard Lieberson's studio cast album with Harold Lang and Vivienne Segal is about as close as you'll get. The 1952 revival cast has revised orchestrations and abridges several songs. It also replaces Segal and Lang with Jane Froman and Dick Beavers. (The current CD edition however, is worth getting because it also includes Froman's album of songs from the film WITH A SING IN MY HEART.) If you prefer digital stereo sound, DRG's Cd of the Encores concert with Lupone and Gallagher is well worth hearing but somehow it misses the grittiness of the early Columbia album. At all costs avoid the London cast with Denis Lawson and Sian Phillips.

---