While I admit to finding the original Verdon recording close to cast album perfection, I agree with those who think this is a valid recording.
I'm not really sold on the new version of Where Am I Going but otherwise I really like Fosse/Coleman's changes--I'm the Bravest Individual is a better song (some critics I remember claimed it was a modern rap version--which just makes one realize how clueless about contemporary music many theatre critics are), I used to prefer the stage version of the title song in the original but actually have started to prefer the movie version used here, and I like the other changes (I always miss her Soliloquy though). Isn't it interesting that you get a complete Rich Man's Frug if you combine this cast album with the CD remaster of the OBCR (which added a part left off the original release).
Like I said, I really miss the Soliloquy, but it was cut long before the revival--Gwen stopped performing it a few months into the original run.
I also find it interesting to see how Fosse basically reconstructed his original masterful production/staging but updated and changed some elements--the same year Hal Prince did the same with HIS 60s masterpiece Cabaret. In both cases I think the changes were largely for the better (even if both revivals were somewhat flops). Of course Cabaret is a show that can live without Prince, I don't think Charity can live without Fosse.
Updated On: 11/16/09 at 11:51 PM
