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Into the Woods - which recording?

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#1

Into the Woods - which recording?

Posted: 12/1/04 at 10:22am

I am listening to the OBC of Into the Woods, and I just love this show. It is not only well-written, but the story is so interesting. I am thinking about picking up another recording and am wondering what everyone's thoughts are - the Revival (with Williams) or the OLC? Thanks.

"What the hell happened to you? You look like a Make-A-Wish Kid. You know, I just knew you were gonna bring shame on this new family of ours, and it just figures you had to go make yourself over into some heroin-shootin skate board chic on the only day E! could interview you!" - Cherry Cherry, on her daughter Mary Cherry

#2

re: Into the Woods - which recording?

Posted: 12/1/04 at 10:36am

I have the London recording (although I have not listened to it in some time) -- but I seem recall the tempos being so much faster....it certainly has a very different feel from the OBC (by far the best in my opinion -- the OBC seemed effortless)

"Sir K, the Viscount of Uppity-shire...." -- kissmycookie

#3

re: Into the Woods - which recording?

Posted: 12/1/04 at 10:41am

The OBC is so brilliant, all others just pale in comparison. Not only does the OBC have the most incredible cast - Bernadette Peters, Joanna Gleason, Chip Zien, Kim Crosby, Chuck Wagner, Robert Westenberg, Ben Wright (What the heck ever happened to that guy? His voice, wow!), Danielle Ferland, and so many others - but I agree with KMF_NYC that the OBC seems effortless and is so much fun and so poignant.

Needless to conclude with, but I support the OBC. I lived on that record for 2 years.:)

There's always room for pathos - and jazz hands.

#4

re: Into the Woods - which recording?

Posted: 12/1/04 at 10:43am

The OBC is by far the best. Like KMF, I also enjoy the London recording but nothing can come close to Joanna Gleason & Bernadette Peters singing those songs.

"Noah, someday we'll talk again. But there's things we'll never say. That sorrow deep inside you. It inside me, too. And it never go away. You be okay. You'll learn how to lose things..."

#5

re: Into the Woods - which recording?

Posted: 12/1/04 at 10:43am

Don't the OLC and Revival feature a song that wasn't included in the Broadway production? "Our Little World" or something? Is picking up another recording for that song worth it? Yes, I LOVE the OBC...but I do like to, sometimes, have a few recordings of shows I love.

"What the hell happened to you? You look like a Make-A-Wish Kid. You know, I just knew you were gonna bring shame on this new family of ours, and it just figures you had to go make yourself over into some heroin-shootin skate board chic on the only day E! could interview you!" - Cherry Cherry, on her daughter Mary Cherry

#6

re: Into the Woods - which recording?

Posted: 12/1/04 at 10:46am

If you want two recordings of it, than I would go with the London & OBC. I listened to the revival once and never found a need to spin it again. It's a strange recording because it really just isn't very good and the revival itself was excellent.

"Noah, someday we'll talk again. But there's things we'll never say. That sorrow deep inside you. It inside me, too. And it never go away. You be okay. You'll learn how to lose things..."

#7

re: Into the Woods - which recording?

Posted: 12/1/04 at 10:49am

OBC overall, London cast for the cut song...the revival, suitable for burning...terrible, seriously...Vannessa Williams is horrible, and the lyric changes, especially in the Witches Lament, made me scream...

My favorite lyric in Into the Woods is the "you're so nice, you're not good you're not bad you're just nice...etc."

Those lyrics sum up a lot of Into the Woods' themes and the deletion of those lyrics is confusing and wrong!!! I understand what they were going for, her holding the baby and all, but Sondheim already has the witch showing remourse for Rapunzel earlier in the first act.

#8

re: Into the Woods - which recording?

Posted: 12/1/04 at 10:51am

I found the accents almost overwhelming on the London cast album. The OBC is the best and truest to the score, but if I had to pick a 2nd it would have to be the revival. it is very well sung with a couple standouts (Laura Benanti being major) and the orchestrations seem to come through stronger on the Nonesuch disc. Enjoy! (but why not go out and buy a different Sondheim score - like Pacific Overtures OBC and have a new experience?)

#9

re: Into the Woods - which recording?

Posted: 12/1/04 at 10:53am

I found Laura Benanti and Kerry O'Malley (the Baker's Wife, right? Pulling her name out of thin air)to be the best things about the revival cast.

There's always room for pathos - and jazz hands.

#10

re: Into the Woods - which recording?

Posted: 12/1/04 at 10:53am

Be prepared for some very poor singing on the London recording. There are a couple of shocking performances. Julia McKenzie, though, is pretty damned great as the Witch.

"Gif me the cobra jool!"

#11

re: Into the Woods - which recording?

Posted: 12/1/04 at 10:54am

Personally I rate the OLC over ALL other recordings, but I think that's probably because it's the production I saw when I was younger and it was completely captivating. It was a lot darker in tone than what I've seen on the OBC video and this is reflected in the recording which seems more sombre. The orchestrations seem more 'detailed' and the production is clearer (is this the only cast album to be recorded in Dolby Surround Sound?)
I personally prefer the sound of British accents in the roles although the actors seem to 'perform' the piece more as I remember it being on stage which is why the recording occasionally sounds a little over the top theatrically in points.
My only gripe is that Julia Mackenzie (sp?) sounds a little strange in places and doesn't quite match Bernadette Peters performance, though again, she was fine on stage (I don't remember that much vibrato though!) I also love the new duet that was added.

The Broadway Revival recording has a much brighter cleaner sound, though I must admit that I'm not keen on Vanessa Williams' Witch. I can't put my finger on what it lacks exactly, but there is some spark that isn't there for me, and I think I've only listened to it all the way through once. Maybe I should dig it out again . . .

#12

re: Into the Woods - which recording?

Posted: 12/1/04 at 10:56am

I dug the revival out recently and then burried it again...I wanted to give it a second chance, but oh, how horrible it is. It almost sounds Disney-fied.

#13

re: Into the Woods - which recording?

Posted: 12/1/04 at 12:03pm

I love the London recording and it has a few photos of the production in the booklet which are fascinating. Very different style which I would have loved to have seen. A bit more European and conceptual. Though the voices are a beat weaker, you can still hear the "acting" on the CD. Julia McKenzie sounds like she was wonderful in the role.

"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian

#14

re: Into the Woods - which recording?

Posted: 12/1/04 at 12:59pm

First of all, Into the Woods (obc version) is completely brilliant. It is the only Flawless musical to date. Everything is completely developed including ALL of the characters. The plot is so much deeper than sometimes perceived. The perfect musical.

Second, Into the Woods (obc) is really unbeatable. When I first learned of the revival; I knew to go run and hide. Although, I didn't see it; I have tried to give the cd a chance. It really is very sad to see such a musical take such a horrible spin. Only good things about it are Laura Benanti who I think is the only character who measures up to the obc. As much I as I like Williams, they transposed her songs so she could sing them...and really this role was not meant for her...Who can beat Bernadette??? (still a little bitter for no Tony nod) Added Characters??? Pigs, Another Wolf...ummm NO!!!
The only track really worth listening on the Revival are "Children Will Listen". Its stunning. And its quite impressive when the Bakers Wife BELTS the E in "JUSTIFIES the Bean"...Other than that its quite sad...
Stick to the OBC!!!

And you think of all of the things you've seen, and you wish that you could live in between ,and you're back again only different than before... After the Sky. -Into the Woods (Jack)

#15

re: Into the Woods - which recording?

Posted: 12/1/04 at 2:04pm

I would say second to the original, go with the revival. I never really listen to it because I hated the production, but it has a fresh sound and the orchestrations sound crystal clear and amazing. I find the London production really hard to listen to - I think it's because of the accents and some of the bad singing, but it's not WRETCHED.

"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy." -Charlie Manson

#16

re: Into the Woods - which recording?

Posted: 12/1/04 at 3:56pm

get the original... bernadette could actually sing the witches part.

NYC's Most Retarded Drag Queen The Mimi Show: hosted by Mimi Imfurst features Broadway stars Tuesdays @ 10:30pm Weekly! June 13th: Hairspray's Michelle Dowdy, June 20th: Aida's Lori Ann Strunk, June 27th: Composer Katie Thompson No Cover- No Drink Minimum OW BAR: 221 E 58th Street (between 2nd and 3rd) www.owbar.com

#17

re: Into the Woods - which recording?

Posted: 12/1/04 at 4:01pm

I prefer the revival only because it holds a lot of sentimental value to me. Everyone has that one show that holds a special place in their heart and this was my show. Williams doesn't come off too great on the recording (except "Last Midnight" is great), but I thought she was amazing on stage. I liked her take more than Bernadette's, who, while wonderful, came off a little too schticky which made her serious turn a little harder to buy. *sigh* I love this show.

#18

re: Into the Woods - which recording?

Posted: 12/1/04 at 5:05pm

Go for the OBC.

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