Kiss Me Kate recordings

[singinswinga]

Posted: 2/13/06 at 7:28pm

should i buy the movie soundtrack or the original broadway cast recording?

[maybethistime]

Posted: 2/13/06 at 7:31pm

OBCR, hands down; It's a classic, but also check out the 1999 Revival Cast -- It's fresh with some stand out performances, notably Amy Spanger as Lois/Bianca.

[*MuSiCaLs_FaN*]

Posted: 2/13/06 at 7:34pm

I agree!! I wouldn't go anywhere near the movie soundtrack but it's great to have both the OBCR and the 1999 Revival for comparison! The new arrangements are fantastic, especially for Bianca/Lois Lane's songs and the Ensemble numbers!

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 2/13/06 at 7:36pm

Well, the movie soundtrack is great to get for "From This Moment On" which is not in any other recording. But, I would definetly get the revival cast recording.

[darkmist115]

Posted: 2/13/06 at 8:35pm

Yes, definitely get the revival.
The movie is eh, OBCR is pretty good, though, as well.
And no worries about missing out on "From This Moment On" -- definitely not a terribly exciting number anyway. I'm in this now, and we're doing the revised version -- "From This Moment On" is just two minutes of ridiculousness. Can be fun, maybe, but doesn't add to the show at all.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 2/13/06 at 9:25pm

I disagree. "From this Moment On" is great fun and is one of my favorite songs from the show, but really, every song is a gem. But, don't get the movie soundtrack just for that song. Get the London cast DVD, as Rachel York is outstanding -- especially in that song. The OBC is preferable over the movie soundtrack and had the London revival cast recorded a CD I would prefer that over the Broadway revival CD, but the revival is great if for nothing else then having Brian Stokes Mitchell's "So In Love" reprise. There's also a two disk studio recording that Jay Records put out that's great to have for its completeness as it includes the glorious Overture and Entr'acte as well as some neat bonus tracks, but still does not have "From This Moment On" ...

[darkmist115]

Posted: 2/13/06 at 9:41pm

If CATSNYrevival and I can't agree on "From This Moment On," we can at least agree on the brilliance of the London revival cast. If you're just looking to hear the best cast, get the DVD of the London revival cast (PBS recorded this), hands down. Rachel York and Brent Barett are BRILLIANT and fierce.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 2/13/06 at 9:57pm

ha. well said.

[Demitri2]

Posted: 2/13/06 at 10:03pm

For the original Broadway cast I highly recommend the Broadway Angel recording. It features the original stars but unlike the monoural Columbia CD, this one is in true STEREO sound. Similar to the original London cast re-recording "My Fair Lady" with the advent of stereo sound a few years later. As much as I love the song "From This Moment On", the rendition on the Broadway revival CD is done as a comedy bit and not very enjoyable at that. The 2 CD set is great because it is complete but I really hate the voice of Josephine Barstow as Kate. It's much too operatic and mannered for musical comedy even though the role calls for a soprano. I do like the DVD for Rachel York's interesting choice to sing much of the score using her chest voice which I've never heard a Kate do before. Keep in mind, if you're on a budget the British Prism label has released the original Broadway cast on CD for about five bucks or PM me and I'll tell you where you can get all the Prism Broadway shows for $2.99 each. Good luck!

[Joshua488]

Posted: 2/13/06 at 10:08pm

Yes, the DVD of the London revival cast is great. I love Nancy Anderson's performance.

[*MuSiCaLs_FaN*]

Posted: 2/13/06 at 10:55pm

I would disagree with the London cast being better than the broadway revival recording! Except for Rachel York and Brent Barrett who were outstanding (i wish they were on the recording) i felt the rest of the cast weren't as strong. The ensemble numbers on the BRR are much stronger, the woman playing Hattie is a much better singer and sings the pants off 'Another Opening' and also the girl who plays Bianca is also far better! And as to the London cast dvd, I was EXTREMELY disappointed with the dancers, especially 'Tom, Harry or Dick' what a joke! Those boys were TERRIBLE - actually embarrassing and not the standard we should expect. The guy's side leap looked more like a frog leap they were terrible! Thank god for Rachel and Brent as they made that show!! Overall I enjoyed it as it's one of my all time fave's but I think the recording is better! Anyways just my opinion:)

[broadwaygiant19122]

Posted: 2/13/06 at 11:17pm

I very rarely purchase the revival cast recording over the OBCR...however this is one I can't stand... i very rarely listen to it.

[elmore3003]

Posted: 2/13/06 at 11:23pm

"From this Moment On" is not from KISS ME, KATE. It was added to the film. Get the Encores! recording of Cole Porter's OUT OF THIS WORLD to hear the score it was originally in.

[elmore3003]

Posted: 2/13/06 at 11:31pm

There's also some confusion on this thread about the 2-CD sets, of which there are two different complete recordings of the original score. The first is on Angel-EMI, conducted by John McGlinn, with Josephine Barstow, Thomas Hampson, Kim Criswell, and George Dvorsky. The 2nd disc includes an appendix of songs written for, and cut from, KISS ME, KATE.

The second set, on JAY Records, features Thomas Allen, Diana Montague, Diane Langton, and Graham Bickley. The second disc is filled out with three Cole Porter overtures. This recording uses the laundered lyrics published in ther vocal score for high school use. The McGlinn EMI set uses the original naughtier lyrics.