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Les Mis CAST RECORDING question

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#1

Les Mis CAST RECORDING question

Posted: 7/11/05 at 2:37pm

I'm planning on getting the Les Mis soundtrack...but which one should I get: symphonic recording or OBC? Which one is better? Thanks!

Updated On: 7/11/05 at 02:37 PM

#2

re: Les Mis soundtrack question

Posted: 7/11/05 at 2:56pm

First, a warning, don't use the term soundtrack when talking about CAST RECORDINGS. There are eyes and ears everywhere ready to pounce...

I have four recordings of Les Mis, and my favorite is the Complete Symphonic Recording, mostly because I like having the whole show on CD. The Valjean on there grows on you, and the rest of the cast, especially the Japanese woman who plays Eponine, is fantastic. I wish they had put Ruthie Henshall on there as Fantine, but otherwise the cast is just about the best it's going to be. You can't really go wrong with any of the recordings, but the CSR is definitely my preferred one.
Hi, Shirley Temple Pudding.
#3

re: Les Mis soundtrack question

Posted: 7/11/05 at 2:59pm

See, I disagree. Gary Morris on the symphonic has never grown on me, and Kaho Shimada as Eponine sounds kind of gutteral. On the plus side, I love Debra Byrne's Fantine and Michael Ball's definative Marius.
My mother always used to say, "The older you get, the better you get, unless you're a banana." - Rose Nyland
#4

re: Les Mis soundtrack question

Posted: 7/11/05 at 3:05pm

That was the name - Kaho Shimada - I was blanking on it. I think just the fact that she doesn't even speak English impressed the hell out of me. I love her On My Own - it's my favorite version of that song- especially the way she sings the line "...only been pretending..."

I thought when I first got it that Morris sounded weird, but the more I listened to it, the more I could SEE his Valjean taking shape.

Byrne's fine as Fantine - I just like Henshall on the 10th Anniversary Recording better.

And yes, Michael Ball IS the best Marius, no argument here.

I also think Quast is the best Javert on record, though I do like Terrence Mann's also...


Oh - and Jim - love the avatar.
Hi, Shirley Temple Pudding.

Updated On: 7/11/05 at 03:05 PM

#6

re: Les Mis soundtrack question

Posted: 7/11/05 at 3:13pm

Of which movie? Liam Neeson and Geoffrey Rush?

Just kidding.

Get the CSR as it is the whole show...the whole original show has things have been added and or dropped.

As for casts, the Japanese Purple and '91 Paris Revivals, IMO, have the strongest casts.

Personally, I prefer Gary Morris to Colm Wilkinson. Morris' souther twang was annoying at first but it grows on you.

The TAC (10th Ann.) is also a good recording. It is Live and has more than the OBC but less than the CSR.

Both the CSR and TAC have Philip Quast - who is THE best Javert ever.

If you are a Les Mis fan, I say buy both the CSR and the 10th Anniversary DVD.
Mama Korey

The Beauty Is: Kelli O'Hara Online

Updated On: 7/11/05 at 03:13 PM

#8

re: Les Mis soundtrack question

Posted: 7/11/05 at 3:54pm

I own all of them too and I'd have to say it's a toss-up between the CSR and the 10th Anniversary (I prefer Colm to Gary and love Lea as Eponine, but I love listening to the whole show). The OLC next and the OBC last...sorry, I just think David Burton's Marius is dire and you can't have a definitive Les Mis without a great "Empty Chairs"
"Take Care! When I am thwarted I am very terrible!"
#9

re: Les Mis soundtrack question

Posted: 7/11/05 at 4:24pm

I think Gary Morris sounds a lot like Colm Wilkonson so I don't see what the deal is there... I like the CSR best because it is the most complete.
#10

re: Les Mis soundtrack question

Posted: 7/11/05 at 4:28pm

The 10th Anniversary concert is the best english speaking recording. It may be recorded live but its performances are top notch and I've yet to find a better English recording. After that...the OBC and OLC are both great. I can't stand the Symphonic Recording. I've listened to it more times than I can count in an attempt to like it but the more I listen to it the more dull and lifeless I feel it is. I don't enjoy any of the performances on it.
And hang on, when did you win the discus?
#11

re: Les Mis soundtrack question

Posted: 7/11/05 at 4:28pm

I have both of them and find that I listen to the Symphonic more simply so I can have the whole show at my fingertips. I prefer listening to Colm but when I listen to him... I start to sing like him, it kills me, so I usually go with Gary. Plus... dude, Anthony Warlow is the only Enjorlas. No one can compare.

Go with the Symphonic.
#12

re: Les Mis soundtrack question

Posted: 7/11/05 at 4:30pm

I will never see the Anthony Warlow appeal. Ever. I've tried, I've had people try to convince me, just ask spiderdj, and I just don't see it.
And hang on, when did you win the discus?
#13

re: Les Mis soundtrack question

Posted: 7/11/05 at 4:35pm

You don't see Anthony Warlow's appeal as a singer??? Let me guess, you think Harvey Fierstein is the height of musicality...
Hi, Shirley Temple Pudding.
#14

re: Les Mis soundtrack question

Posted: 7/11/05 at 5:32pm

Oops. How could I make that mistake? (Changes)

In any case, hmm...I suppose I will get the orchestra first...and then maybe the OBC later (I will probably get the 10th anniversary one eventually...but I must see the DVD on Netflix first.)

Thanks all! re: Les Mis soundtrack question

EDIT: Er...question: What's the difference between the two:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0002E5L62/qid=1121117619/sr=1-4/ref=sr_1_4/002-1355596-7770420?v=glance&s=music

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00002MNL3/qid=1121117619/sr=1-6/ref=sr_1_6/002-1355596-7770420?v=glance&s=music

Would the first one (the box set?) be the one that I want?

Updated On: 7/11/05 at 05:32 PM

#15

re: Les Mis soundtrack question

Posted: 7/11/05 at 6:31pm

I have the CSR. I really wanted the complete version, but I almost passed on that one because of how much I really dislike Kaho Shimada or whatever. I dislike her that much. I love love love Javert though. In the end, I got the CSR because it is the whole thing, and that outweighed one performer I didn't like.
"This table, he is over one hundred years old. If I could, I would take an old gramophone needle and run it along the surface of the wood. To hear the music of the voices. All that was said." - Doug Wright, I Am My Own Wife
#16

re: Les Mis soundtrack question

Posted: 7/11/05 at 7:43pm

How does Kaho Shimada's Eponine compare to Frances Ruffelle's from OBC/OLC? I saw the Les Mis tour with Sutton Foster as Eponine (and loved her), rushed out and bought the OBC recording, and was SO disappointed by Ruffelle's whiny, nasal singing voice. I would buy the CSR if only to have a better-sounding Eponine.
#17

re: Les Mis soundtrack question

Posted: 7/11/05 at 7:47pm

obc
"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view - until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."
To Kill A Mockingbird
#18

re: Les Mis soundtrack question

Posted: 7/11/05 at 7:52pm

I didn't say I think Warlow is awful. I just don't see him as spectacular.
And hang on, when did you win the discus?
#19

re: Les Mis soundtrack question

Posted: 7/11/05 at 7:54pm

I personally LOVE Frances' Eponine. IMO, Eponine shouldn't have a crystal, clear, perfect voice. It should be...I dunno, gritty, hard and strong if that make sense. Of the four recordings being discussed, my favorite is the OLC.
#20

re: Les Mis soundtrack question

Posted: 7/11/05 at 8:23pm

Evie, I'll admit that FR's Eponine has definitely grown on me after repeated listenings . . . I think it was probably just the jarring comparison with Sutton Foster whom I had seen live. Just wondering how Shimada's take compares to Ruffelle's and whether it's worth buying the CSR to find out.
#21

re: Les Mis soundtrack question

Posted: 7/11/05 at 10:44pm

Same here. Warlow is one of my most favorite singers, but not his Enjolras in CSR.

However, if you only want one recording of Les Miz (Are you sure?), then go for CSR.
#22

re: Les Mis cast recording question

Posted: 7/11/05 at 10:45pm

I couldn't live with just one Les Mis recording
And hang on, when did you win the discus?
#23

re: Les Mis cast recording question

Posted: 7/12/05 at 1:20am

OBC all the way. Once you hear Terry Mann's "Stars" and "(Javert's Suicide)" you just never go back.
"It's not for sissies, contrary to popular belief." - Tommy Tune, on musical theatre.

My avatar: Yummy, no?
#24

re: Les Mis cast recording question

Posted: 7/12/05 at 1:27am

The Symphonic Recording is my fav of those two, mostly because the Eponine on the OBC is probably the worst thing to ever walk this earth. I don't think her Eponine is gritty, I think it's nasal and annoying.

::shudder::

In reality, Lea Salonga's the best Eponine I've ever heard (strong, clear, emotional)...really I'd go for a combo of the 10th anniversary and the CSR. And the Symphonic recording is COMPLETE; you get everything. Can't go wrong with THAT.
-Anyone want to turn anarchist with me?

"Bless you and all who know you, oh wise and penguined one." ~YouWantItWhen????
#25

re: Les Mis cast recording question

Posted: 7/12/05 at 2:49am

And the Symphonic recording is COMPLETE; you get everything. Can't go wrong with THAT.

Eugh, but you CAN go wrong with overmixing, the presence of Tracy Shayne, and no chemistry between cast members!

Besides, it's not even complete anymore and hasn't been since 1997. Bye bye, selling point!
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt

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