FOLLIES Recordings - which one?

I've really gotten into Sondheim latly, I guess its about time, but I'm looking into buying a recording of Follies, since I know its a pretty famous musical and I'd like to expand my musical knowledge. However, which recording is best?

New Jersey Revival
Original
Concert

Original had they not chopped it to bits. that being said, would have to say the Papermill Playhouse one. A video of either one would have been heaven

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hmm, almost every song, Catsnyrevival it left out "It was't meant to happen" which you'll find on one of the tribute albums.

And yes, the London cast is nice indeed, and has some more great songs (of whom a few aren't on the New Jersey cast either, like "Make the Best of your Music")

Buy them in this order:

NJ Papermill Playhouse revival
Original Broadway cast
Concert Version

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I'd go with this order:

OBC
Papermill
Concert
London

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A Little Night Music

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Updated On: 11/15/05 at 06:10 PM

Follies is a MUST!
(You should also try to see someone, anyone, do a production of the show. It adds considerably to the experience.)

Sweeney, Merrily, and A Little Night Music, (all OBC) I would buy immediately.
Actually, the recent Assassins revival is a must as well. (I only say that one because I have not heard the O off-Bway cast)

PO, and Sunday I personally also love, but I think you can take some time before you get them.

I have the Papermill Follies, and love it.

I will be getting the rest but, I keep hoping the OBCR will have a remastered edition with additional songs. Is there a chance for that?

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You basically need them all. In addition, you should also get the Sondheim tribute album with the blue cover with the "Scrabble" letters on it, for some invaluable additions.

The original leads, Dorothy Collins and John McMartin singing "Too Many Mornings" with the lead-in "Pleasant Little Kingdom" (much better than the version that's on the New Jersey recording). Dorothy and Alexis Smith doing "Losing My Mind" and "Could I Leave You" with much more moxie than on the OBC.

Almost more importantly, the best versions of "I'm Still Here" performed by Nancy Walker (that has basically ruined all other performances of it) and "Buddy's Blues" with the late and still missed Larry Blyden and Chita Rivera and Donna McKechnie as Sally and Margie!

Though what you really need is a good bootleg of the original cast. If you have one of those, you don't need the OBC CD.

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Yeah, i'm holding out for the new sweeny recording - i want it so bad. I just found the musical theater section of my college's library and I'm so thrilled. It has all the librettos for all the Sondheim shows, and the books. I'm currently reading "Everything Was Possible: The Birth of Follies" So that has sparked my interested.

Yeah, that's what I was thinking Margo. I love books like this, just to see how much works goes in there. There's also tons of books written bout Sondheim, like one is a Critical Essay book that talkes indepth about him, so i'm hoping to read that next. But i'm still torn b/w obc and whatnot. I guess I'll go to Barnes and Noble and see which they have, hopefully they wont have all 3.

All 4 recordings are worth owning. Papermill is the most complete, but the OBC is hard to beat performance wise. I think besides Barbara Cook, the concert is overrated. The London recording has some divine performances, plus songs not on the other 3 recordings.

Dee Hoty, Kay Ballard, Donna McKechnie, Ann Miller, and others are on the Papermill recording.

Dresslight.com has the London recording. The website indicates "1989" but I'm pretty sure this is of the 1987 revival.
LONDON FOLLIES RECORDING

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sounds like a lot of work. I listen to samples and i'm not sure I'm that excited about it anymore lol, but i'll probably pick up the Papermill recording.