Do I buy Merman, Lansbury or Peters? New or old?

I liked Bette Midler.

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Bernadette! Although I hear the one you hear first and get familiar with is the one you'll always prefer...right?

Bernadette all the way.

Albin used to say he liked to program his CD player with his different Gypsy CD's so that the first song played from one, the second from the next, and so on. He would listen to the entire score this way. Now that's a Gypsy fan!

BTW, Albin, where are you? With TWGM coming back, you must be excited?

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Updated On: 10/26/04 at 07:54 PM

Merman is who the score was composed for and no one else since has been able to sing that demanding role with the same effortless power and freedom -- the others, while they have their strong points, struggled just to even get through the role, let alone "own it" as Merman did. The role fit her like a glove, while for the others, the glove was a few sizes too large for them. Merman is not everyone's taste to be sure an can sound quite abrasive, but then, so is the character of Rose -- grating, vexing, annoying are words that can be used to describe both Merman and Rose. The OBC is a must-own for any fan of the musical theatre.

Lansbury's is also well-worth buying (though she had to alter the keys just to get through the role). Her acting and interepretation of Rose were rightfully acclaimed (many found her more persuasive from an acting perspective than Merman) and that comes through on the recording.

Peters, IMO was out of her depth in the big numbers. She croons the ballads nicely, but struggles mightily elsewhere -- she's got a pretty voice to be sure, but she's just not Rose. The recording is interesting curiosity for Peters fans (of which I am one), but little more.

Tyne Daly was unfortunately ill and not in good voice when she recorded her cast album (she was much better in the theatre). I wouldn't recommend it.

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Updated On: 10/26/04 at 08:02 PM

If you wish to be objective and listen to the score as written, buy Merman. Every word is as clear as a bell and there is no gasping or gulping as with Peters (I love Bernadette--but not in Gypsy). Saw her do it twice as I could not believe how she gasped the first time I saw her. Thought she was sick. It was worse the second time around.

Daly didn't sound so great onstage either - it's just that you didn't notice because she acted the hell out of the songs.

And everyone else on that recording is very good.

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I love the Peters version best!

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i agree with sndtrklvr, get them all if you can! each one has something different to like. and crista moore has to be the BEST recorded gypsy rose lee..EVER. her "strip" number is the best one i've heard! (she's on the TYNE DALY version)

i say go with the peters version! its the most complet and i think peters sounds the best out of all the recording. another thing i like about her recording is the orchestrations(sp) sound fresh and exciting!!! :)

Perhaps they'll show it on Lifetime.

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Updated On: 10/26/04 at 11:37 PM

How great would that be