"Hello, Dolly" 2017 Cast Recording- Page 7

[DramaTeach]

Posted: 5/14/17 at 1:45pm

Seeing the show next week, but as I listen to the cast recording, I find myself smiling.  I imagine that seeing it will only increase the joy.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 5/14/17 at 2:03pm

SmokeyLady said: "More than half the people making comments referring to what is going on at the Shubert are so full of it.  Statistically with the amount of time this hard ticket has been running it is impossible that most have you have seen the show.  Also.. the ones taking advantage of BK's negative comments to jump on some bandwagon  are to naive to realize that his words are considered by those who really know ( in regards to this recording) as nothing but sour grapes.  There.  It had to be said.  

 

There are some of us who are so devoted to the show that we travel to NYC in the very early morning hours so we can be the first on line for standing room tickets; enabling us to see the show several times. Thank you very much.

[CT2NYC]

Posted: 5/14/17 at 2:10pm

SmokeyLady said: "More than half the people making comments referring to what is going on at the Shubert are so full of it.  Statistically with the amount of time this hard ticket has been running it is impossible that most have you have seen the show.  Also.. the ones taking advantage of BK's negative comments to jump on some bandwagon  are to naive to realize that his words are considered by those who really know ( in regards to this recording) as nothing but sour grapes.  There.  It had to be said.  

Here's my ticket:

https://imgur.com/a/iJcw2

I saw the show, and the audience's enthusiasm, along with the sense of community in the theatre, was a major part of the joy I experienced. I stand by my comments.

 

Updated On: 5/14/17 at 02:10 PM

[SmokeyLady]

Posted: 5/14/17 at 2:14pm

Dollypop said: "SmokeyLady said: "More than half the people making comments referring to what is going on at the Shubert are so full of it.  Statistically with the amount of time this hard ticket has been running it is impossible that most have you have seen the show.  Also.. the ones taking advantage of BK's negative comments to jump on some bandwagon  are to naive to realize that his words are considered by those who really know ( in regards to this recording) as nothing but sour grapes.  There.  It had to be said.  

 

There are some of us who are so devoted to the show that we travel to NYC in the very early morning hours so we can be the first on line for standing room tickets; enabling us to see the show several times. Thank you very much.

 

"

Oh totally Dollypop.  I never doubted you.  I was not referring to you.   I would do the same if I was a local. And I have found your comments and observations to be honest and sincere.

Updated On: 5/14/17 at 02:14 PM

[SmokeyLady]

Posted: 5/14/17 at 2:17pm

CT2NYC said: "SmokeyLady said: "More than half the people making comments referring to what is going on at the Shubert are so full of it.  Statistically with the amount of time this hard ticket has been running it is impossible that most have you have seen the show.  Also.. the ones taking advantage of BK's negative comments to jump on some bandwagon  are to naive to realize that his words are considered by those who really know ( in regards to this recording) as nothing but sour grapes.  There.  It had to be said.  

Here's my ticket:

https://imgur.com/a/iJcw2

I saw the show, and the audience's enthusiasm, along with the sense of community in the theatre, was a major part of the joy I experienced. I stand by my comments.

 

 

"

I agree with all that.

[bradactor66]

Posted: 5/14/17 at 4:05pm

I am listening to this Cast Recording on Amazon.  It is amazing.  I have seen Hello Dolly on stage in Little Rock, Arkansas way back with Carol Channing.  Seen the movie and heard many recordings.  This recording is excellent and amazing.  Orchestrations and cast do a magnificent job.  Wish I could see this in New York. But cannot

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 5/14/17 at 7:49pm

SmokeyLady said: "More than half the people making comments referring to what is going on at the Shubert are so full of it.  Statistically with the amount of time this hard ticket has been running it is impossible that most have you have seen the show.  Also.. the ones taking advantage of BK's negative comments to jump on some bandwagon  are to naive to realize that his words are considered by those who really know ( in regards to this recording) as nothing but sour grapes.  There.  It had to be said.  

 

"

Don't make assumptions. I definitely saw the show. I wrote about it on my blog. And it;s because I saw it in the Shubert that I can make a comparison and say that a lot of the warmth and energy present when I saw it live is missing in this cast recording. It sounds as if the producers wanted a very clean vocal track for Bette without any of the ad-libbing or vocal idiosyncrasies that are part of her live show. It sounds musically smooth but rather vanilla.

[Marlothom]

Posted: 5/14/17 at 7:49pm

Saw the show last month, and listening to this brought me right back to the Shubert!  

[morosco]

Posted: 5/14/17 at 8:12pm

hey bk:  where do you think this trend with most recent cast recordings come's from?  The whole sonic technique of having no sense of space.  It just sounds too close and in your ear.  As if you are in the studio standing directly in front of the singer.  Is this what listener's have come to prefer presently or just an artistic choice?  I HATE IT.

[Musical Master]

Posted: 5/14/17 at 8:50pm

I am glad it sounds much better than the streamed versions but I do feel a big difference between the grand, joyful show I saw at the Shubert and the musically sound but lacking some omph recording. Everyone does a good job here.

[bradactor66]

Posted: 5/14/17 at 8:59pm

Guys, I am sure the live show is much better than any recording.  This is true of just about any Broadway show.  I do not live in New York.  I live in Houston TX in an Assistant Living Center where my chances of seeing a live Broadway show are very poor.  Anyway, I enjoyed the recording for what it was.  I would love to see the complete performance because I am sure Bette does a great job.   With a cast recording, you are limited.  One thing that may be missing is the chorus finale of the Ensemble cast in the recording at the end which I know is in the original Broadway recording.  I assume it is done in this show.  It is a clean recording.  I will agree on that.  I was admiring the orchestrations of this recording which I liked from a technical viewpoint.   I have read your comments and I agree with all of you.  For now I will enjoy the recording, hoping maybe someday I can actually see the show.

[bradactor66]

Posted: 5/14/17 at 9:23pm

Bk is right.   Some of the rest of you are as well.  I just listened to parts of the 1994 recording and it did have more warmth in it than this recording.   Technically, yes, this album is good, but there is something lacking since I am re listening to other recording.  I can tell, though, from this recording that this production is good.  But the missing cast finale did get to me.  As I said, I am limited now to seeing a Broadway show.  Wish I could see this one.  I guess we are lucky to still have Broadway Cast recordings.  I know they were rumors of discontinuing them I think I read way back a few years ago.   For some of us a cast recording may be all we have at least for the moment.  I grew up on cast albums, singing to them, acting to them, etc.  My memories are full. 

Anyway, thanks guys for your insights on this board.

May the Blessings Be

[bk]

Posted: 5/15/17 at 4:02am

SmokeyLady said: "More than half the people making comments referring to what is going on at the Shubert are so full of it.  Statistically with the amount of time this hard ticket has been running it is impossible that most have you have seen the show.  Also.. the ones taking advantage of BK's negative comments to jump on some bandwagon  are to naive to realize that his words are considered by those who really know ( in regards to this recording) as nothing but sour grapes.  There.  It had to be said.  

 

"

Um no, but you knew that.  "Smokey Lady" isn't I don't know very original - is it?  I gave the caveat early on so everyone knew I'd done the 94 album.  How is it sour grapes, pray tell?  I call it as I see it because, you know, we can do that in this country.  No one has to agree, although clearly some do.  There.  It had to be said.

 

Updated On: 5/15/17 at 04:02 AM

[bk]

Posted: 5/15/17 at 4:36am

morosco said: "hey bk:  where do you think this trend with most recent cast recordings come's from?  The whole sonic technique of having no sense of space.  It just sounds too close and in your ear.  As if you are in the studio standing directly in front of the singer.  Is this what listener's have come to prefer presently or just an artistic choice?  I HATE IT.

 

"

I'm not sure when it all began, but it's been prevalent more than a decade now.  And I think this current generation was raised on that sound so they love it.  Those of us who were raised on the classic cast albums of old, especially those of Mr. Lieberson, just don't like the new way - it's not what Broadway shows sound like.  As you can see in this very thread, some hate it and some are perfectly happy with it and some love it.  Such is horse racing and I enjoy reading all comments, save for the personal insult from the twit.  :) 

[bradactor66]

Posted: 5/15/17 at 4:46am

Goddard Lieberson's recordings were the best.   I was not aware they have changed the process but after listening to old tracks of past recordings, I see the difference myself.  Yeah, I think they did hurry this recording because the last track states ensemble in it and there was no ensemble.  If Masterworks produced this, I will try to send them an email myself.  Not sure how much good it will do.  I did read way back a few years, they were considering abandoning recordings because, I guess, financial costs.  So this is I guess why they have limited or changed the process.  Again this is a guess and opinion.

Thanks guys for all your comments because you seem more aware than I of what is happening.

May the Blessings Be.

Brad in Houston

[AlfieByrne]

Posted: 5/15/17 at 4:48am

I think I can pinpoint down to somewhere around 2004-2006 when the "sound" of the recent recordings became flat. Shows like Spamalot, Light in the Piazza, Jersey Boys, etc. have the old sound. The 2006 revival of A Chorus Line is one of the earliest examples (that I can think of) that have that crisp, yet "dead" sound that lacks excitement IMO. This is all based on my untrained ear, however.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 5/15/17 at 6:12am

The first time I noticed a dead sound was on the BEAUTY AND THE BEAST recording. I just chalked it up to the Disney team's lack of experience in doing cast albums.

Posted: 6/1/17 at 9:53pm

Interesting background info from the Dolly album producer

 

http://www.bootlegbetty.com/2017/06/01/how-grammy-winning-producer-steven-epstein-made-hello-dolly-cast-album/#.WTDDj7E_WhB

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 6/1/17 at 10:30pm

bk, thank you for all the insightful comments you've contributed to this thread. It's great to hear from a true expert. I love the sounds on your albums, so it's fascinating to read how much attention to detail goes into your process.

I have to say, this is one of the most disappointing cast recordings I've ever listened to. Disappointing because I was excitedly waiting to be blown away by everything, the orchestra, the sound, the cast, and, of course, Ms. Midler, who is a fabulous actress and vocalist. Maybe it'll grow on me with repeated listens and after I see the production live, but this is sort of a travesty of a recording. It is so...bland. There's nothing about it that stands out. DOLLY has such a delightful, fun, energizing score. And this is so not that. I found myself switching to the Mary Martin album (my favorite of the recorded Dollys) soon after to hear Martin's vibrant, funny vocals. I was particularly surprised by how unfunny Midler's recording of "So Long Dearie" was, where's the fun? Where's the excitement? The whole thing comes across like those studio recordings where the actors clearly have not explored the roles in-depth and end up giving respectably wooden performances. Again, this is in no way supposed to bash the production, which I know is stunning, nor does it make me want to see it less. I was just hoping to be blown away by the album and was not ready for what I got instead. I'm thinking of how brilliant the SHE LOVES ME album was, or how the ON THE TWENTIETH CENTURY captured Chenoweth's masterclass of a performance along with the great chemistry of the cast. I was expecting something like that here. What a missed opportunity.

[SmokeyLady]

Posted: 6/1/17 at 10:45pm

ray-andallthatjazz86 said: "bk, thank you for all the insightful comments you've contributed to this thread. It's great to hear from a true expert. I love the sounds on your albums, so it's fascinating to read how much attention to detail goes into your process.

I have to say, this is one of the most disappointing cast recordings I've ever listened to. Disappointing because I was excitedly waiting to be blown away by everything, the orchestra, the sound, the cast, and, of course, Ms. Midler, who is a fabulous actress and vocalist. Maybe it'll grow on me with repeated listens and after I see the production live, but this is sort of a travesty of a recording. It is so...bland. There's nothing about it that stands out. DOLLY has such a delightful, fun, energizing score. And this is so not that. I found myself switching to the Mary Martin album (my favorite of the recorded Dollys) soon after to hear Martin's vibrant, funny vocals. I was particularly surprised by how unfunny Midler's recording of "So Long Dearie" was, where's the fun? Where's the excitement? The whole thing comes across like those studio recordings where the actors clearly have not explored the roles in-depth and end up giving respectably wooden performances. Again, this is in no way supposed to bash the production, which I know is stunning, nor does it make me want to see it less. I was just hoping to be blown away by the album and was not ready for what I got instead. I'm thinking of how brilliant the SHE LOVES ME album was, or how the ON THE TWENTIETH CENTURY captured Chenoweth's masterclass of a performance along with the great chemistry of the cast. I was expecting something like that here. What a missed opportunity.

 

"

Oh girl;  I know you couldn't wait to dig up a thread to start stirring the pot.   And a ass kisser at that. 

[bk]

Posted: 6/2/17 at 3:30am

SmokeyLady said: "ray-andallthatjazz86 said: "bk, thank you for all the insightful comments you've contributed to this thread. It's great to hear from a true expert. I love the sounds on your albums, so it's fascinating to read how much attention to detail goes into your process.

I have to say, this is one of the most disappointing cast recordings I've ever listened to. Disappointing because I was excitedly waiting to be blown away by everything, the orchestra, the sound, the cast, and, of course, Ms. Midler, who is a fabulous actress and vocalist. Maybe it'll grow on me with repeated listens and after I see the production live, but this is sort of a travesty of a recording. It is so...bland. There's nothing about it that stands out. DOLLY has such a delightful, fun, energizing score. And this is so not that. I found myself switching to the Mary Martin album (my favorite of the recorded Dollys) soon after to hear Martin's vibrant, funny vocals. I was particularly surprised by how unfunny Midler's recording of "So Long Dearie" was, where's the fun? Where's the excitement? The whole thing comes across like those studio recordings where the actors clearly have not explored the roles in-depth and end up giving respectably wooden performances. Again, this is in no way supposed to bash the production, which I know is stunning, nor does it make me want to see it less. I was just hoping to be blown away by the album and was not ready for what I got instead. I'm thinking of how brilliant the SHE LOVES ME album was, or how the ON THE TWENTIETH CENTURY captured Chenoweth's masterclass of a performance along with the great chemistry of the cast. I was expecting something like that here. What a missed opportunity.

 

"

Oh girl;  I know you couldn't wait to dig up a thread to start stirring the pot.   And a ass kisser at that. 

 

"

Ass kisser?  Because they like my work?  So, if this person is an ass kisser, what, pray tell, does that make you?  A troublemaker?  A jerk?  A pot stirrer?  Someone with an agenda, girl?  All of the above?  Let's hear it.  We're all waiting anxiously.

 

Updated On: 6/2/17 at 03:30 AM

[denali.fire]

Posted: 6/2/17 at 6:17am

Im saddened to see so many of the blogs in the message boards turn a bit aggressive.   There is enough stuff going on in the world. 

[SmokeyLady]

Posted: 6/2/17 at 12:35pm

bk said: "SmokeyLady said: "ray-andallthatjazz86 said: "bk, thank you for all the insightful comments you've contributed to this thread. It's great to hear from a true expert. I love the sounds on your albums, so it's fascinating to read how much attention to detail goes into your process.

I have to say, this is one of the most disappointing cast recordings I've ever listened to. Disappointing because I was excitedly waiting to be blown away by everything, the orchestra, the sound, the cast, and, of course, Ms. Midler, who is a fabulous actress and vocalist. Maybe it'll grow on me with repeated listens and after I see the production live, but this is sort of a travesty of a recording. It is so...bland. There's nothing about it that stands out. DOLLY has such a delightful, fun, energizing score. And this is so not that. I found myself switching to the Mary Martin album (my favorite of the recorded Dollys) soon after to hear Martin's vibrant, funny vocals. I was particularly surprised by how unfunny Midler's recording of "So Long Dearie" was, where's the fun? Where's the excitement? The whole thing comes across like those studio recordings where the actors clearly have not explored the roles in-depth and end up giving respectably wooden performances. Again, this is in no way supposed to bash the production, which I know is stunning, nor does it make me want to see it less. I was just hoping to be blown away by the album and was not ready for what I got instead. I'm thinking of how brilliant the SHE LOVES ME album was, or how the ON THE TWENTIETH CENTURY captured Chenoweth's masterclass of a performance along with the great chemistry of the cast. I was expecting something like that here. What a missed opportunity.

 

"

Oh girl;  I know you couldn't wait to dig up a thread to start stirring the pot.   And a ass kisser at that. 

 

"

Ass kisser?  Because they like my work?  So, if this person is an ass kisser, what, pray tell, does that make you?  A troublemaker?  A jerk?  A pot stirrer?  Someone with an agenda, girl?  All of the above?  Let's hear it.  We're all waiting anxiously.

 

 

"

Not because he liked your work.  I like some of it as well.  But because he/she is kissing your ass here.  Plain and simple. He/she also bumped up a thread in which people were going at each other from 2 weeks ago.   I have no agenda.  But I think you did with your comments ( maybe you didn't get the job or something I don't know) .  But my comment wasn't about that.   But there you went.. making it all about you.    

[bk]

Posted: 6/2/17 at 1:03pm

SmokeyLady said: "bk said: "SmokeyLady said: "ray-andallthatjazz86 said: "bk, thank you for all the insightful comments you've contributed to this thread. It's great to hear from a true expert. I love the sounds on your albums, so it's fascinating to read how much attention to detail goes into your process.

I have to say, this is one of the most disappointing cast recordings I've ever listened to. Disappointing because I was excitedly waiting to be blown away by everything, the orchestra, the sound, the cast, and, of course, Ms. Midler, who is a fabulous actress and vocalist. Maybe it'll grow on me with repeated listens and after I see the production live, but this is sort of a travesty of a recording. It is so...bland. There's nothing about it that stands out. DOLLY has such a delightful, fun, energizing score. And this is so not that. I found myself switching to the Mary Martin album (my favorite of the recorded Dollys) soon after to hear Martin's vibrant, funny vocals. I was particularly surprised by how unfunny Midler's recording of "So Long Dearie" was, where's the fun? Where's the excitement? The whole thing comes across like those studio recordings where the actors clearly have not explored the roles in-depth and end up giving respectably wooden performances. Again, this is in no way supposed to bash the production, which I know is stunning, nor does it make me want to see it less. I was just hoping to be blown away by the album and was not ready for what I got instead. I'm thinking of how brilliant the SHE LOVES ME album was, or how the ON THE TWENTIETH CENTURY captured Chenoweth's masterclass of a performance along with the great chemistry of the cast. I was expecting something like that here. What a missed opportunity.

 

"

Oh girl;  I know you couldn't wait to dig up a thread to start stirring the pot.   And a ass kisser at that. 

 

"

Ass kisser?  Because they like my work?  So, if this person is an ass kisser, what, pray tell, does that make you?  A troublemaker?  A jerk?  A pot stirrer?  Someone with an agenda, girl?  All of the above?  Let's hear it.  We're all waiting anxiously.

 

 

"

Not because he liked your work.  I like some of it as well.  But because he/she is kissing your ass here.  Plain and simple. He/she also bumped up a thread in which people were going at each other from 2 weeks ago.   I have no agenda.  But I think you did with your comments ( maybe you didn't get the job or something I don't know) .  But my comment wasn't about that.   But there you went.. making it all about you.    

 

"

This sounds vaguely familiar, the tone and the words, "smokey lady".  Your comment was inane and offensive to ray and all that jazz, that was and is the point.  You made a snarky comment about me earlier and you felt it necessary to do it again, so that marks you for what you clearly are.  Eh, "Smokey Lady?"  You are the one who made it about me, as anyone with eyeballs can plainly see.  And then "maybe you didn't get the job or something I don't know" - that is offensive, as well, as you well know.  So, again, what's your agenda?  Just tell everyone?  Oh, I wasn't up for the job, didn't solicit the job, and frankly would not have been interested in the job since I  already did my Grammy-nominated Hello, Dolly album.   Keep trying, old stick.

[SmokeyLady]

Posted: 6/2/17 at 1:09pm

bk said: "SmokeyLady said: "bk said: "SmokeyLady said: "ray-andallthatjazz86 said: "bk, thank you for all the insightful comments you've contributed to this thread. It's great to hear from a true expert. I love the sounds on your albums, so it's fascinating to read how much attention to detail goes into your process.

I have to say, this is one of the most disappointing cast recordings I've ever listened to. Disappointing because I was excitedly waiting to be blown away by everything, the orchestra, the sound, the cast, and, of course, Ms. Midler, who is a fabulous actress and vocalist. Maybe it'll grow on me with repeated listens and after I see the production live, but this is sort of a travesty of a recording. It is so...bland. There's nothing about it that stands out. DOLLY has such a delightful, fun, energizing score. And this is so not that. I found myself switching to the Mary Martin album (my favorite of the recorded Dollys) soon after to hear Martin's vibrant, funny vocals. I was particularly surprised by how unfunny Midler's recording of "So Long Dearie" was, where's the fun? Where's the excitement? The whole thing comes across like those studio recordings where the actors clearly have not explored the roles in-depth and end up giving respectably wooden performances. Again, this is in no way supposed to bash the production, which I know is stunning, nor does it make me want to see it less. I was just hoping to be blown away by the album and was not ready for what I got instead. I'm thinking of how brilliant the SHE LOVES ME album was, or how the ON THE TWENTIETH CENTURY captured Chenoweth's masterclass of a performance along with the great chemistry of the cast. I was expecting something like that here. What a missed opportunity.

 

"

Oh girl;  I know you couldn't wait to dig up a thread to start stirring the pot.   And a ass kisser at that. 

 

"

Ass kisser?  Because they like my work?  So, if this person is an ass kisser, what, pray tell, does that make you?  A troublemaker?  A jerk?  A pot stirrer?  Someone with an agenda, girl?  All of the above?  Let's hear it.  We're all waiting anxiously.

 

 

"

Not because he liked your work.  I like some of it as well.  But because he/she is kissing your ass here.  Plain and simple. He/she also bumped up a thread in which people were going at each other from 2 weeks ago.   I have no agenda.  But I think you did with your comments ( maybe you didn't get the job or something I don't know) .  But my comment wasn't about that.   But there you went.. making it all about you.    

 

"

This sounds vaguely familiar, the tone and the words, "smokey lady".  Your comment was inane and offensive to ray and all that jazz, that was and is the point.  You made a snarky comment about me earlier and you felt it necessary to do it again, so that marks you for what you clearly are.  Eh, "Smokey Lady?"  You are the one who made it about me, as anyone with eyeballs can plainly see.  And then "maybe you didn't get the job or something I don't know" - that is offensive, as well, as you well know.  So, again, what's your agenda?  Just tell everyone?  Oh, I wasn't up for the job, didn't solicit the job, and frankly would not have been interested in the job since I  already did my Grammy-nominated Hello, Dolly album.   Keep trying, old stick.

 

"

Not trying.  But very entertained.  That is my agenda here.  To be entertained.  I do love your Dolly album.  But I think this one will actually win a Grammy.   And just to repeat.  My comment was not meant at you.  But I am glad you took it and ran with it.