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

[jczelyph]

Posted: 10/26/04 at 7:38pm

Ooh! I'm excited to be buying Gypsy, but I can't decide which version. Is there any BIG difference in the quality of the Merman and Peters recordings? Which should I opt for?

And do I go for the London revival or Broadway revival of Carousel. Reviews on amazon are pointing towards London... Also, which version of Fiddler? Do I want a Broadway version or movie version of The Sound Of Music? How much of a difference is there?

Thanks cast recording conoisseurs!

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 10/26/04 at 7:40pm

I liked Bette Midler.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 10/26/04 at 7:41pm

The 2003 Gypsy CD is wonderful (I believe it won a Grammy)
But no one, not even the GREAT Ms Peters can beat Merman's historical performance as Rose.

[Ellie3]

Posted: 10/26/04 at 7:43pm

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

[ChrisLovesShows]

Posted: 10/26/04 at 7:45pm

It's really a matter of preference. I love Angela Lansbury and I love her recording. Don't care so much for Merman and, therefore, don't care so much for her recording. Are you a fan of Ms. Peters? My suggestion is to buy the one of the singer you like the most.

[J-Pill]

Posted: 10/26/04 at 7:46pm

Bernadette all the way.

[jczelyph]

Posted: 10/26/04 at 7:51pm

Well, I don't really know what any of them sound like, apart from little clips on amazon... Oh well, they can't be that different right? It's the same show after all.

[ChrisLovesShows]

Posted: 10/26/04 at 7:54pm

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?

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

[magruder]

Posted: 10/26/04 at 8:01pm

I'd narrow it down to Merman or Peters. (Lansbury is great on her recording, but she's saddled with a pretty lackluster supporting cast and some very odd tempo choices). Merman is definitive in the role, and the original recording still sounds incredibly rich and dynamic, despite being 45 years old. Peters probably has the most pleasing sound of any of the recorded Roses, and that recording is also the most complete of recorded Gypsys. So, the rest is up to you.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 10/26/04 at 8:02pm

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.

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

[ShaimanMenkenFan]

Posted: 10/26/04 at 8:03pm

Bette Midler's.

[LouW95]

Posted: 10/26/04 at 8:06pm

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.

[magruder]

Posted: 10/26/04 at 8:12pm

Then, there is Kay Medford...

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 10/26/04 at 8:17pm

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.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 10/26/04 at 8:31pm

For me, it's always about which is the most complete. So I have the Bernadette Peters version, and I don't feel that I need to have any other...

[bwaymyway]

Posted: 10/26/04 at 8:33pm

I love the Peters version best!

[sndtrklvr]

Posted: 10/26/04 at 10:18pm

Buy them all. I have also listened to them one after another. It is fascinating to hear 5 different takes on a song. Such different, different performers doing what is one of the greatest female roles in musical theater.

[Marquise]

Posted: 10/26/04 at 10:31pm

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)

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 10/26/04 at 10:33pm

I think everyone on the Daly recording is great - except Daly, sadly.

[musicaltheatreman]

Posted: 10/26/04 at 11:01pm

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!!! :)

[cliffarico]

Posted: 10/26/04 at 11:19pm

Too bad they never recorded the Patty Duke version
(Civic Theater Washington State).

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 10/26/04 at 11:37pm

Perhaps they'll show it on Lifetime.

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

[alterego]

Posted: 10/27/04 at 2:35am

Ethel Merman...I second Margo Channing's comments.

[cliffarico]

Posted: 10/27/04 at 7:29am

How great would that be

[Broadwaylady]

Posted: 10/27/04 at 8:08am

I would go with the star/voice that is your favorite. Merman does have a powerful voice but it is a matter of taste.

Chris Loves Shows: Albin has been posting. Not often but he is still on the board. Remember when he showed us his picture in the Freddy Krueger sweater?