Favorite "Oliver" recording?

[MCfan2]

Posted: 1/5/08 at 5:48pm

Hi guys -- haven't been around for a while, though I've lurked on and off. But I have a question, so I thought I'd drop by and ask the experts. I'm looking to get a good recording of "Oliver" but haven't decided which one, though I'm leaning a bit toward the 1994 London version. Which would you recommend and why?

Thanks, and I hope to start posting a bit more in future! :)

[Smaxie]

Posted: 1/5/08 at 6:02pm

I love the gritty quality of the original 1960 London recording with Ron Moody and Georgia Brown. The 1994 revival sounds too slick to me.

[JohnBoy2]

Posted: 1/5/08 at 6:08pm

My favorite is the Original Broadway Cast recording. I love the orchestrations and vocals the best of all the recordings. Although, the film's Boy For Sale is definitive, imo.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 1/5/08 at 6:12pm

Original Broadway Cast

[Smaxie]

Posted: 1/5/08 at 6:16pm

The original Broadway cast recording is OK, but Ron Moody on the London recording is superior to Clive Revill on the Broadway recording. And the London recording has "That's Your Funeral" and the "Oliver!" reprise in Act Two.

[MisterRussell]

Posted: 1/5/08 at 7:29pm

I find the OBC to be very stark; that is, it has no mellowing of the performances. Ditto for the OLC, although it gets points for completeness. I have the soundtrack for the sole reason of "Boy For Sale." I like the 1994 London recording because i like the faster tempos.

This show is unfortuantely a grab-bag, recording-wise.

[MCfan2]

Posted: 1/5/08 at 8:01pm

That's definitely the impression I've been getting. I saw some numbers from what I think was the 1994 London production in the "Hey, Mr. Producer" show, and I liked Fagin (Jonathan Pryce, wasn't it?), and also I heard that this recording was the most complete one. However, if I remember correctly, I wasn't all that thrilled with whoever played Nancy in that one. So all this input is a big help! Thanks.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 1/5/08 at 8:52pm

1960 London Disc HANDS DOWN.

[Mbmusic]

Posted: 1/5/08 at 9:25pm

I love the 1994 London version.

[Chitty]

Posted: 1/5/08 at 10:34pm

The one with Jonathon Price