icecreambenjamin said: "I just pre ordered this and it's now coming out on February 5th, but I noticed that the description said that Christian Borle is featured on it. I'm pretty sure that he wasn't in the Encores! production. Does anyone know if he replaced Fogler on the recording? "
Hm, that's very strange. It does seem like Christian Borle will be playing Mr. Bungee on the recording (simply based on Dan Fogler's absence from the list). I didn't see the production, sadly, but I feel like I heard mixed opinions on Fogler's performance.
Featured Actor Joined: 6/24/07
any idea if a digital copy will be available as well? Will it be on iTunes or something?
I'd much rather hear Borle sing the role than Fogler.
I didn't mind Fogler's performance, but strictly from a listening standpoint I think Borle will sound better on record.
I believe that PS Classics release all their albums on itunes.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/11/04
As long as Groff, Gasteyer and Aaron Lazar are still on board, so am I.
Sounds clips are now up! Groff sounds great. I'm so excited for February 5.
http://www.psclassics.com/cd_anewbrain.html
Updated On: 1/18/16 at 11:44 PM
Playbill has "And They're Off" available for listening.
First Listen: Jonathan Groff's Thrilling "And They're Off" from New Brain Cast Album
Broadway Star Joined: 8/5/14
From the article and answering the earlier question:
"Also featured on the album is Christian Borle (filling in for Dan Fogler, who was filming in London at the time of the recording)"
Makes sense- it was presumably Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them.
I can't wait to get this recording. I've been listening to the Original for the last few months in anticipation! :)
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/08
"And They're Off" sounds....awful. Based on that I will be sticking with the original recording.
I just got my copy in the mail! Can't wait to listen later today. The packaging is stunning.
Updated On: 2/5/16 at 11:44 AM
Just listened to it after purchasing from iTunes and I love the new recording. Love the inclusion of all the material missing from the original, really like most of the changes, and a few of these versions will easily replace the originals in the rotation (particularly Ana Gasteyer's numbers - Music Still Plays On alone is worth the purchase).
Only complaint - the seemingly unnecessary track splicing! Much of what I would consider "Heart and Music" (and is by the original sheet music) is contained in the previous track. And, likewise, it seems unnecessary to separate Time from Time and Music.
I'm enjoying the recording very much, as well- aside from Borle, actually, whose choice of using a grand thespian voice for Bungee seems totally inexplicable. Perhaps I'm just used to Zien's smarmy New Yorker schtick.
willep said: ""And They're Off" sounds....awful. Based on that I will be sticking with the original recording."
This. That was... rough.
It's a great recording of a great show. It makes me wish that PS had recorded Spelling Bee. I hope they record the new Falsettos cast.
I'm not a huge fan of William Finn and I've only listened to the original album once quite a while ago but I'm really enjoying this new recording with Groff. I love pretty much everything PS Classics does. Their passion for the shows they choose to preserve is evident in just about every album they release and it's hard not to revel in it.
Chorus Member Joined: 12/26/10
I'm in love with Ana Gasteyer and Aaron Lazar!
I actually like Finn's work on a broader scale, but think that New Brain is one of his superior works. So I enjoy this recording quite a lot, especially for the two above and Groff!
kidmanboy said: "Only complaint - the seemingly unnecessary track splicing! Much of what I would consider "Heart and Music" (and is by the original sheet music) is contained in the previous track. And, likewise, it seems unnecessary to separate Time from Time and Music."
"Time" and "Time and Music" are two different songs is probably why they're separated into two tracks.
I've finally listened to this album, I really enjoyed it (Rema and Ana probably being my favorites). I think I prefer the original recording though. I like Groff (and normally love him) but he actually didn't leave much of an impact for me on first listen. Maybe on repeats he'll grow on me.
I accept that the original cast recording is probably engraved on my heart and brain, so differences are bound to be jarring, but to me the production of this album is too often harsh, forced and uncomfortable.
That said, Ana Gasteyer sings beautifully.
This one is for the shelf. The original is for listening to.
"And They're Off" is one of my favorite William Finn songs, and I think that Jason Robert Brown's arrangement is phenomenal. The original cast recording of that song is one of my all-time favorites. This new one just doesn't do it for me, though. Maybe the cast didn't have enough time to rehearse and really get those harmonies right. But it does sound kind of ragged.
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