Just listened to HOW TO SUCCEED samples on Amazon, and....

...sounds forced and so boring...I will wait to hear the entire cast album, before I make a final critic, but I am so sad at this time.

http://www.amazon.com/Succeed-Business-Without-Really-Trying/dp/B0051SAD2G/ref=sr_shvl_album_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1306172652&sr=301-5

yeah its sad...I want to hear it more for Daniel and support him, and Ellen Harvey since I have friends who are great friends with her...but even Anderson Cooper sounds arrogant in his voice. And the orchestrastions sound like a big mess~


*EDIT--I just re-listen to the recording samples on AMAZON and NOW it sounds fuller, richer and more excited...OMG...what happen??? Is that why they delayed releasing it a week..to make it sound better?????

Updated On: 5/29/11 at 02:52 PM

Well I have seen it and I'm not a huge fan either.

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And to think these orchestrations were nominated over Verge and Sister Act.....

I didn't realize that, ljay. A crime. I absolutely ADORED Verge's orchestrations.

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Daniel's voice just sound flat to me

Daniel and the orchestrations sounded much better in the theatre. But I agree that the WOMEN ON THE VERGE orchestrations deserved a nod over these.

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best12, there's actually a respectable 15 bodies in the pit. And my friends Nick, Larry, Scott, and George are no summer stock players. A good amount of the musicians down there are some of the top jazz performers on their instruments in the city. The vocals, on the other hand...

You could have the pit orchestra of the original "Girl Crazy" (Red Noble, Glenn Miller, the Dorseys, etc.) and it would still sound like crap with these orchestrations. The original parts were amazing. I have produced revivals of this show (I actually lost $156,000 on "How To Succeed...") and I know that score indise out. I always thought the original version was superb. This version seems to be remote and aloof. There is too much tinkering with the harmonics, too many littleornaments slathered on an already solid frame... WAIT A MINUTE... it's creeping Ashfordism. That urge to change what doesn't need to be changed has permeated the entire show!

BTW, I think they kept the same arrangements as the original for "I Believe in You." Wonder why?

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I'm excited for this one. I'm not a huge fan of the original or revival cast recordings, but I do like the score and they seem to have gone out of their way to record the majority of the music for this one so I'm looking forward to hearing it. I'm also excited to hear Hanke's stuff.

From the recording, the VERGE orchestrations are some of the best I've heard in a lone while. It's sad so much of the production didn't work in the theatre...

I have a full promo recording of the CD and I completely disagree. The Overture alone is incredible. Completely new and refreshing, but still retaining that early 60's flare. I absolutely love the recording. True, some moments are a bit stale, but overall, very very enjoyable.

Haven't heard the album yet, but I was shocked that the H2$ orchestrations didn't win Drama Desk. They were one of the fullest uses of such a small ensemble I've heard in awhile. It's a shame if, like some are saying here, that doesn't come across on the recording.