Evita is, in my opinion, the best Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, and I think it has a great score. Whether you'll like it or not does sort of hinge on how you feel about Patti LuPone, though. She's a bit... shouty. But I never liked her at all, and then I got the Evita cast recording, and I couldn't stop listening to it. She gave me chills, even though her voice isn't exactly 'pretty' on a lot of the songs. There is also some strong innuendo/language, just so you know.
Another show I recommend, though it's a fairly recent one, is Assassins. It seems like you like Sondheim shows, and Assassins has a great score and a very intriguing concept. This one has EXTREMELY strong language on several tracks, though, especially if you get the Broadway cast recording (as opposed to Original Broadway cast.)
Personally, my favorite 'classic' shows are Fiddler on the Roof, Guys and Dolls, and Peter Pan.
Do you have Sweeney OBC, Company OBC? You should buy these immediately if you don't. And if you do, don't buy the 07 Company or 05 Sweeney yet - I agree for a new show (Probably Ragtime and Chicago from that list).
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/27/05
I would say Ragtime and Titanic. Ragtime is just fantastic (and I also got hooked through that very song) and Titanic is goooorgeous.
OK, I'm old, but if you want a great recording of a score, the white concept album of EVITA with Julie Covington is the ONE.
It's pretty complete and me and my friends used to walk the Upper West Side with it under our arms so we could play it everywhere we went.
The problem with most recordings of the Golden Age, up till the late 60's is they usually left songs off for space and there was very little underscoring included, the CD made it possible to record more, if they had been able to record the entire Original score and cast of FOLLIES, than that would be it.
The original SHE LOVES ME is quite special, The original BYE BYE BIRDIE has a certain timeliness and energy, there's tons more.
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/5/09
If you're going to expand your list, I'd choose from these:
"Show Boat," "Pal Joey," "Oklahoma," Kiss Me, Kate," "Guys and Dolls," "My Fair Lady," "West Side Story," "Hello, Dolly," and then go from there.
Believe me, these are all far superior to the shows on your list.
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/19/06
If you don't already, get the 1975 Original Broadway Cast Recording of "A Chorus Line."
Best. Musical. Ever.
Best. Recording. Ever.
Is there much difference between the recordings of both the "West Side Story" & A "Chorus Line" revival and Original? Because I have both revivals and really like them. I wish I had liked the productions though.
Also which "Guys and Dolls" recording is best?
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/19/06
The "Chorus Line" revival recording is a poor representation of the score. GEt the original, the performances and sound are 1000x better.
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/5/09
The best "Guys and Dolls" recording is the original Broadway cast.
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/22/08
I needed something new and got Zanna Dont and have not stopped listening to it
Id say Company and Ragtime. Company has a definitve performance from the amazing Raul Esparza (Tony or Not it was a masterful performance) and Ragtime is considered by myself and many others to be a masterpiece and has some of the most beautiful music with a wonderful cast.
My favorite Guys and Dolls recording is the 1992 one with Faith Prince and Nathan Lane. But different people have different opinions on that matter.
Stand-by Joined: 7/6/09
Omg ragtime is amazing. I promise you nearly all of the songs are of the same caliber as Daddy's Son. Don't pass Ragtime up.
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