Les Mis Question
Les Mis Question
#0Les Mis Question
Posted: 2/2/06 at 6:17pmI'm a complete Les Mis virgin. I literally know nothing about it- which version you recommend I listen to first? Thanks.
#1re: Les Mis Question
Posted: 2/2/06 at 6:23pm
Go through the site at http://www.lesmis.com and http://www.broadwaylesmis.com to familiarize yourself with the story and look and feel of the show -- then listen to clips on Amazon. :)
If you have to get a cast recording (I'm a big fan of LM, but not of any of the English-language cast recordings), get the Tenth Anniversary Concert. It's not the entire show, but it has the overall best cast, IMO. And since it was recorded live, there's a nice energy to it that you won't find on the others.
People will recommend to you the Complete Symphonic Recording, but I think you should avoid that even though it probably has the strongest (legally) recorded Enjolras in Anthony Warlow. The sound is very stagnant and it's all very sterile and pieced-together sounding (which it was, but that's a long story).
So, go ahead and look for the TAC (aka Dream Cast, although who dreams of Michael Maguire?) after reading up on the show. :)
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#2re: Les Mis Question
Posted: 2/2/06 at 6:27pmThanks. How do you feel about the Original London Cast Recording? I've heard the OBC recording sucks...
#3re: Les Mis Question
Posted: 2/2/06 at 6:30pm
I find the OLC interesting from a developmental perspective, as there's some different orchestration and some songs that later would be cut, but I'm not sure it would be the one I'd recommend to someone to get first.
I'd also have to vote for the TAC for the vocal performances, because although the CSR is more complete, there's just a lot of funkiness about it, as Lizzie pointed out.
'"Contrairiwise," continued Tweedledee, "if it was so, it might be; and if it were so, it would be; but as it isn't, it ain't. That's logic."'
~Lewis Carroll
Gothampc
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/03
#4re: Les Mis Question
Posted: 2/2/06 at 6:30pmThe original London Cast Recording. Nobody beats Colm Wilkinson's "Bring Him Home" and Patti LuPone's "I Dreamed A Dream".
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#5re: Les Mis Question
Posted: 2/2/06 at 6:31pm
The OLC is fine, I think, for its novelty in that they weren't even sure if they would record this little show that got terrible reviews and transferred from the RSC. I haven't listened to it in years, but I enjoy it more as an archive of a show that doesn't exist anymore than anything else. If you're used to other recordings, or the show as it is now, a lot of the OLC tempos will sound painfully slow. (And Patti LuPone sounds half-asleep.)
The OBC is very guttural and in-your-face, and David Bryant is awful, so there you go. 
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Updated On: 2/2/06 at 06:31 PM
gavrochegirl
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/16/05
#6re: Les Mis Question
Posted: 2/2/06 at 6:32pm
"If you're used to other recordings, or the show as it is now, a lot of the OLC tempos will sound painfully slow."
You can say THAT again...
What the puck?!
#7re: Les Mis Question
Posted: 2/2/06 at 6:32pm
Especially "Underwater Confrontation."
'"Contrairiwise," continued Tweedledee, "if it was so, it might be; and if it were so, it would be; but as it isn't, it ain't. That's logic."'
~Lewis Carroll
#9re: Les Mis Question
Posted: 2/2/06 at 6:37pmYep. Get it used if you can.
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
jam_man
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/25/05
#10re: Les Mis Question
Posted: 2/2/06 at 6:37pm
I would sugest the CSR, though the Dream Cast is great (though I only have the DVD). I don't find it "funky" or all-that "pieced-together," and with the exception of Gary Morris as Valjean (who's pretty good, but there really is no beatting Colm Wilkinson), the cast is great. (though I do perfer most of the different ones in the Dream Cast)
Plus, you can't beat the 70-piece orchestra on the CSR, however, the one with the Dream Cast is also great.
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Updated On: 2/2/06 at 06:37 PM
"The man who wishes he had written Phantom of the Opera!" - SueleenGay
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#12re: Les Mis Question
Posted: 2/2/06 at 6:42pm
People will recommend to you the Complete Symphonic Recording, but I think you should avoid that even though it probably has the strongest (legally) recorded Enjolras in Anthony Warlow.
I second that 1000x. It lacks any energy whatsoever and was a complete waste of money. And Kaho Shimada? I can't remotely stand her, despite the fact that it's near blasphemy to say that in the Les Mis world.
I'd recommend the OBC. I love that raw quality it has.
#13re: Les Mis Question
Posted: 2/2/06 at 6:44pm
I don't know, I found it painfully evident that various singers on the CSR were recorded at different times/countries/whathaveyou (and sometimes different tempos, which is even more unfortunate). Especially, I think the (kind of lame) LA students undermine how brilliant Anthony Warlow was as Enjolras.
I'm also not the hugest fan of Tracy Shayne's Cosette (or the rationale that because Gary Morris was Valjean, that the woman playing Cosette had to be American as well. What?).
The CSR is a great concept, but the execution sometimes leaves something to be desired.
'"Contrairiwise," continued Tweedledee, "if it was so, it might be; and if it were so, it would be; but as it isn't, it ain't. That's logic."'
~Lewis Carroll
#14re: Les Mis Question
Posted: 2/2/06 at 6:46pm
Especially, I think the (kind of lame) LA students undermine how brilliant Anthony Warlow was as Enjolras.
Right, and the fact that they tried to go around the world for their cast yet really didn't is...yeah...and anyway, where are the Canadians? I think by then there had already been two sit-downs in Canada, yet there aren't any Canadians, and then they have the LA Valjean playing Feuilly.
Don't get me wrong, William Solo was a fantastic Valjean, but he's totally out-of-place on the CSR. If they wanted the LA cast on there, great, but they could've found a better place for them.
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
Updated On: 2/2/06 at 06:46 PM
#15re: Les Mis Question
Posted: 2/2/06 at 6:48pmOoh...Tracy Shayne...*shudder* Her voice gives me a headache.
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SporkGoddess
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/27/05
#16re: Les Mis Question
Posted: 2/2/06 at 7:10pm
CSR: even though Gary Morris sucks, it is complete.
Btw, I totally love Kaho Shimada as Eponine.
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YankeesFan175
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/8/05
#17re: Les Mis Question
Posted: 2/2/06 at 7:13pm
i love the OBC. the london version is painfully slow compared to it.
kinda random, but is anyone else really creeped out by castle on a cloud?? ive maybe gotten through the first 4 lines or so before turning it. its just creepy.
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#18re: Les Mis Question
Posted: 2/2/06 at 7:35pmLes Mis is great in general, if you like historically based musicals Im betting that you will love this one
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#19re: Les Mis Question
Posted: 2/2/06 at 7:48pmLes Mis is my favorite show. Kaho Shimada is great and Gary Morris is much better than Colm Wilkinson (I know I could get shot for saying that). And I think the CSR is... well... complete and just fine. It's my favorite recording. I agree that Patti Lupone sounds very bored and emotionless on the OLCR. sorry to those that like her. :/
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#20re: Les Mis Question
Posted: 2/2/06 at 8:32pmI like Kaho on the CSR, although she's much better on the Nagoya recording, which was recorded a few years later and (obviously) in her native language.
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
BSoBW3
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/21/06
#21re: Les Mis Question
Posted: 2/2/06 at 8:40pm
I agree, Lizzie.
And I recommend the TAC or CSR.
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#22re: Les Mis Question
Posted: 2/2/06 at 8:46pm
Just so I understand- the CSR was done with different actors and recorded in various places right? Where/how was the TAC recorded? Was it a one time concert?
BTW, BSoBW3 your avatar really freaks me out...
Updated On: 2/2/06 at 08:46 PM
#23re: Les Mis Question
Posted: 2/2/06 at 8:49pmOooh, I'm seeing it this sunday! Final tour, woo! I'm going with my brother's girlsfriend, and this is her 5th time. It's my first.
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#24re: Les Mis Question
Posted: 2/2/06 at 8:50pm
Just so I understand- the CSR was done with different actors and recorded in various places right?
Yes, it was recorded in Sydney, Nashville, London and Los Angeles and then spliced together with '80s technology.
Where/how was the TAC recorded? Was it a one time concert?
It was the Tenth Anniversary Concert, and since the show opened in London on Oct. 8, 1985, do the math... :)
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
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