Jeeves-OLC
Jeeves-OLC
Jeeves-OLC#1
Posted: 4/10/17 at 9:11am
All this ALW in the theater news has me on a trip of nostalgia. I was on YouTube the other day and got to listening to songs from the Original London Cast of Jeeves (not to be confused with the mid-90's refresh "By Jeeves"
I have to say I found that version of the score to be quite charming and it got me to wondering if anyone has a CD-R copy of the album. I have read that Webber refuses to allow a commercial CD release of the album which is really a shame, but what do I know?
Can anyone offer me any suggestions?
Broadway Star Joined: 7/28/06
Jeeves-OLC#2
Posted: 4/10/17 at 10:07am
It's quite a charming score. I paid $6 for my vinyl of it back in the early 90s' and didn't know it was rare till much later. I wonder if it's lost in a copyright quagmire. I know there were 3 different versions of By Jeeves released and I would have thought that would have been the perfect time to bring out the original as well.
Jeeves-OLC#3
Posted: 4/10/17 at 10:20am
Excellent point. I also know that previous to the 96' London Revival being released there was a Live Scarborough Cast Recording as well, although I've never been able to tell what the real difference was between the two aside from one being live and having a few extra tracks on it.
Broadway Star Joined: 4/12/07
Jeeves-OLC#4
Posted: 4/10/17 at 1:21pm
When the original "Jeeves" flopped, it was quite a large blow to ALW's ego at the time.
We won't see an official CD release because the cast recording was quickly withdrawn from sale, unsold copies were destroyed and the master tapes were deleted. ALW was advised to do this in case he wished to re-use any of the melodies for future works (which he did).
It's a rather charming recording, I think. I acquired a vinyl copy of it earlier this year on eBay.
However, don't buy into the current hype... Someone's trying to sell a copy for $1500 claiming "Only 100 were issued and were recalled by Andrew Lloyd Weber. Ninety (90) were recovered but ten (10) went to private collectors. This album is from a private collector in London. This is VERY RARE recording. This was Andrew Lloyd Weber's next production after Jesus Christ Superstar - only 10 known in existence."
That's VERY incorrect. There are definitely more copies circulating and they can be acquired for far less money... I certainly didn't have to spend all that much. Just keep an eye out for one.
Jeeves-OLC#5
Posted: 4/10/17 at 1:41pm
Good to know! I know the bridge in As If We Never Said Goodbye, came right from Half A Moment. I think there were a few others that got recycled as well, which he is rather well known for.
Broadway Star Joined: 4/12/07
Jeeves-OLC#6
Posted: 4/10/17 at 2:57pm
Yes, and the refrain of "Summer Day" was modified slightly and re-used as the refrain of "Another Suitcase In Another Hall."
Jeeves-OLC#7
Posted: 4/10/17 at 5:01pm
I have a vinyl copy of 'Jeeves' which I bought at a library sale in the 1990s. I believe there are only 500 in circulation.
Summer Day is a lovely song, delivered by David Hemmings, with a one of the female principals adding a counter melody.
I actually prefer the original score to the re-written show.
Jeeves-OLC#8
Posted: 4/10/17 at 5:23pm
Ahhh... Jeeves - yes, a very charming score (although if I remember correctly, it had a running time of 3 hours which probably didn't help it much). I'm trying to remember if I have a cassette tape of it (!!!) which is how I've heard the whole album. Some kind person made it for me years ago. Its fascinating to me to hear ALW's workshops of things. (as an aside, I also heard his and Tim Rice's "Cricket" which has some Aspects and Sunset tunes in their early incarnations)
One of my favorite tunes which I'm surprised has yet to be recycled is "Today" - a really beautiful waltz. Part of me wonders if there will be an "Unsung ALW" album or perhaps another box set with some rare stuff. Another sad product of this slow death of the recording industry is that it seems such releases are becoming more rare
Jeeves-OLC#9
Posted: 4/18/17 at 9:57am
So while I was trying to find myself a copy of the OLC LP, or even a CD-R copy for that matter, I managed to find the rare Live Scarborough CD of By Jeeves. I believe this was done prior to the full scale London Revival in 96'. Very interesting to hear how the show continued to change. I still prefer the 96' Full London Cast Recording, but this one was very fun.
Interesting to note- I found it on Amazon.co.uk for $12 American. Given how many years it took me to find this- I thought that was pretty good!
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