First listen HELLO, DOLLY!

[DAME]

Posted: 5/8/17 at 11:29am

http://www.npr.org/2017/05/08/527191829/first-listen-hello-dolly-new-broadway-cast-recording

Updated On: 5/8/17 at 11:29 AM

[DAME]

Posted: 5/8/17 at 11:56am

Fixed the link.  Enjoy.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 5/8/17 at 12:07pm

Well, that managed to wring an unexpected tear this Monday morning. 

[TheSassySam]

Posted: 5/8/17 at 12:10pm

Hard not to smile listening to this!

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 5/8/17 at 12:13pm

Given how much the tickets cost, I'm shocked they made anything available for free. It does sound beautiful though. 

[Dollypop]

Posted: 5/8/17 at 12:17pm

On first listen, I feel the word "restrained" is proper to describe the ensemble. It's not like the obc where you felt the cast was moving and dancing (because they were!). Great voices, though.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 5/8/17 at 12:27pm

Gorgeous recording and Bette sounds in control and fantastic.  She's comfortable in a recording studio so her voice sounds fabulous and she's in her full Dolly Levi characterization on the recording.  Even adding a few little asides in there.  Kudos!  

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 5/8/17 at 12:33pm

I agree with Dollypop's "restrained" comment. It doesn't feel as full or lush as I had hoped. It doesn't match the energy I saw on that stage. Even Bette sounds a little flat, but she's great. It sounds good though.

[DAME]

Posted: 5/8/17 at 12:33pm

It is gorgeous.   I do wish they had taken a chance and recorded the cast album live.  

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 5/8/17 at 12:37pm

Dame, I would have killed for a live album. Bette was so primal and the crowd was so wild. I would love that preserved. I hope they will release this on vinyl. I'd love a record album. Red vinyl, maybe?

[RJ14]

Posted: 5/8/17 at 1:13pm

I think "Put On Your Sunday Clothes" ensemble part was too low energy and the whole recording doesn't seem that lively or joyful compared to the OBC and 1967 cast recording IMO

I agree with the idea of a live album, that would be much better. The cast recording, while is still great, does not compare to listening to it live at all.

Updated On: 5/8/17 at 01:13 PM

[icecreambenjamin]

Posted: 5/8/17 at 1:15pm

I think it sounds absolutely sublime!  I agree, I hope they release it on red vinyl.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 5/8/17 at 1:32pm

The finale track is disappointing but the rest is delightful. Even "Penny in My Pocket" which I've never really liked is charming here.

[10086sunset]

Posted: 5/8/17 at 2:15pm

Perhaps I'm alone on the island with this but I find myself missing the nuisances of Carol Channing. 

[CallMeAl2]

Posted: 5/8/17 at 2:25pm

10086sunset said: "... the nuisances of Carol Channing. "

Ha! Yeah the nuisances of Carol Channing are hard to forget.

[SweetLips]

Posted: 5/8/17 at 2:28pm

CallMeAl2 said: "10086sunset said: "... the nuisances of Carol Channing. "

Ha! Yeah the nuisances of Carol Channing are hard to forget.

 

Now THAT'S funny !

 

 

 

[ljay889]

Posted: 5/8/17 at 2:43pm

Spelling error aside, I could see calling Mary Martin nuanced on her recording, but I don't think I would associate Channing with the word nuanced, and I don't mean that in a bad way.

[DAME]

Posted: 5/8/17 at 3:29pm

Carol nuaised !  HA HA!  That is hilarious!     Loving this version .  And I love Carols very first one as well.

Updated On: 5/8/17 at 03:29 PM

[10086sunset]

Posted: 5/8/17 at 3:32pm

nuisances/nuanced 

Potato/potahto Tomato/tomahto, let's call the whole thing off. 

All joking aside, I love both the 1964 and 1994 Carol Channing recordings.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 5/8/17 at 3:32pm

Okay, I've listened to this a few times now and truly love the voices and performances but agree with the poster who said it was "flat". I could envision the ensemble standing on risers in the back of the studio with their music in front of them and the augmented orchestra playing carefully while watching the conductor's baton. All the ingredients are there but it's too restrained and precise.

Was this recording made early in the rehearsal period? I would think the cast would be a bit more adventurous after performing in front of a live audience for a few weeks.

The recording is very nice but it doesn't capture the verve of what's on stage at the Shubert. 

Updated On: 5/8/17 at 03:32 PM

[DAME]

Posted: 5/8/17 at 3:40pm

Oh I don't find it flat at all!  How is your sound system Boo?

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 5/8/17 at 3:44pm

I believe it was recorded in rehearsals, yes, which is why the recording (in my opinion) does not capture the brilliance of what is going on at the theater 7 times a week.

As someone who saw the show three times in previews, it evolved so much from March 15 through March 25 through the final preview performance on April 19. The performances were certainly great on March 15, but every actor improved throughout previews, which is the entire purpose of preview performances! I really wish they had recorded this after opening or had done a live recording, as someone on this thread suggested.

Should we all pray to the theater gods for a professional video recording of this?

[DAME]

Posted: 5/8/17 at 3:46pm

WithoutATrace said: "I believe it was recorded in rehearsals, yes, which is why the recording (in my opinion) does not capture the brilliance of what is going on at the theater 7 times a week.

As someone who saw the show three times in previews, it evolved so much from March 15 through March 25 through the final preview performance on April 19. The performances were certainly great on March 15, but every actor improved throughout previews, which is the entire purpose of preview performances! I really wish they had recorded this after opening or had done a live recording, as someone on this thread suggested.

Should we all pray to the theater gods for a professional video recording of this?

 

"

Yes!  Let's pray hard !

[Dollypop]

Posted: 5/8/17 at 3:59pm

Dame, I have a very good Bose sound system. That's not the problem here: it's the lack of energy. It lacks the "Broadway sound". In fact, the orchestra could be mistaken for something out of vintage Hollywood. Precise but relaxed.

Updated On: 5/8/17 at 03:59 PM

[DAME]

Posted: 5/8/17 at 4:58pm

Dollypop said: "Dame, I have a very good Bose sound system. That's not the problem here: it's the lack of energy. It lacks the "Broadway sound". In fact, the orchestra could be mistaken for something out of vintage Hollywood. Precise but relaxed.

 

"

I have the same sound system.  Well I am so glad we have different Dolly recordings now to enjoy.  I am loving this one and I treasure the other ones as well.   I think that it is worth repeating that I wish they would have done a live cast album recording.  I think what is going on in the Shubert should be captured.  Not just because the affair she is having with the audience is so special.. but because it is happening today when it has been years since a broadway show felt this way.