London TABOO vs. N.Y. TABOO

I have both and would say that there are good reasons to have them, but I do think the Broadway cast is much stronger vocally. I have a soft spot for the London cast because I had such a great time seeing it there. But when it comes to just wanting to listen to it, the Broadway cast wins out.

Well, that was very eloquent, but allow me to add my two cents.

I think the Broadway recording might be a better bet because IMO the performances are stronger - even Euan's has gotten stronger since London.

However, if you want more details, here ya go. The London recording has the following in its favor:

"Touched by the Hand of Cool" - great ensemble number
"Do You Really Want to Hurt Me?" - the complete song, not just the two verses that are on the OBC
"Pie in the Sky" - the wonderful show closer in the London show. (It's sung by the George and Billy characters in the show, but on the CD it's just Euan as George) If you decide on the OBC recording, at least try to get an mp3 of this song so you can hear it.
"Love is a Question Mark" - a duet between the characters Billy and Kim, and going by memory I thought it was a very pretty in the OLC.
"Pretty Lies" - sung by the Kim character, better only in that it's the complete song; the OBC version is sung by George (Euan) and he sounds wonderful, but it's only one verse.

The OBC has the following in its favor:

"Freak"/"Ode to Attention Seekers" - Better than the OLC, IMO. I confess I found it dull and not a strong opening in the OLC recording.
"Petrified" - Worlds better than the OLC, and Raul Esparza's performance is the sole reason for that.
"Pretty Lies" - sung by George (Euan): yes, it's only one verse, but Euan sounds heartbreakingly beautiful.
"Il Adore" - I prefer Sarah Uriarte Berry's rendition over the OLC's "Big Sue" character singing this.
"Sexual Confusion" - It's a fun number and it was not in the OLC.
"The Fame Game" - Another great number not in the OLC.
"Church of the Poison Mind"/"Karma Chameleon" - Not in the OLC, and it's the fun/nostalgia factor that I like.
"Out of Fashion" - Absolutely required listening. One of the most gorgeous songs in a musical this year. The quintet (Euan, Jeffrey, Raul, Cary, George) sound beautiful, as do the orchestrations in the song. By far superior to the OLC's, which is sung by just the "Steve Strange" character.

Elements that are equal, IMO:

"I See Through You" - Cary Shields as Marcus or (Oh, sorry, forgot his name) as Billy, pretty much even
"Safe in the City" - Sarah Uriarte Berry or "Billy", again, pretty even
"Talk Amongst Yourselves" - I am probably in the minority when I say that I don't think Liz is the be-all end-all of the OBC Taboo cast. Her rendition is fine, don't get me wrong, but the OLC version is just as good.
"Stranger in this World" - both versions are pretty. OLC is popped up a bit with Euan's "Doo-doo-doo's" in the beginning. The "Oh mother" ending on the OBC is way better, IMO.

I think that's all. Hope that helps.

(If you ask me, it's worth it to own both recordings.)

Updated On: 6/2/04 at 02:36 PM

Oh really? I listened to "Independent Woman" once and skipped it every time I listened to the CD after that. Not crazy about that song at all.

Broadway. Reason number one: Raul. Reason number two: Jeffrey and Liz. Real reasons: I think the orchestrations were done better, for one... I feel like the OBCR really sounds more like a Broadway musical. The London one to me sounds just like any old CD... if that makes sense. There are also those extra songs that were in NY that I really missed not having on the London CD. The only one that I honestly miss in the transition from London to NY is "Pie in the Sky." But I LOVE LOVE LOVE "Sexual Confusion" and the track with "Church of the Poison Mind" and "Karma Chameleon." I also really like the added dialogue in the songs, and I feel like even the songs that did get carried over are so much stronger.

Yay TABOO!

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Both recordings are totally cool, but of course I am biased towards my Broadway Cast

I agree vocally across the Board the Broadway version is stronger...I also dont care much for "PIE IN THE SKY" as the London Finale (on record) I believe the NY finale kicks Major Azz....

Of Course, yes we love Raul, but also we love Jeffrey & Liz & need I go on

Ok I will

One song I wish made it to Broadway would be "TOUCHED BY THE HAND OF COOL" ... thats a very very cool number...lol

I am sooooooooooooooooo happy to have my Broadway TABOO CD

LMAO

Hit the Books, Baby

LMAO

Am I the only one who doesnt like PIE IN THE SKY?

lol

hey buy them both they are great cd's to have!! they are both awesome and diffrent in their own ways!

-CJ

I have to agree with luvtheemcee...I really do miss "Pie in the sky" but I guess it's not a huge loss, I could always just pop in the London cd if I was really missin it...

it hasn't gotten to that point yet though because I am completely in love with the OBCR! It's seriously gotten a little sad...a lot of my friends are now able to recite "Petrified" verbatim. Have I mentioned that I love Raul...anyway....

There are a couple things I do like better on the London version though: "Love is a question mark" and depending on the day "Stranger in this world"-I think it's a tempo thing but I dunno it really depends on my mood!

Oh and Luvtheemcee...when did you call me...OMG was that when we hit the deer?? Ahhhhhh!!

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haha, probably Wicked_Elphie. I would assume that I called to ramble about Raul. That's been the norm lately, no? I can't believe what you've done to our friends! lol

I haven't listened to London yet since getting the OBCR. Maybe I'll do that later....

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Wouldn't Raul make a great Che in the planned revival of "EVITA" next year?

*crosses fingers, even though she knows this probably won't happen*

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Ruffian, I'm with you. Ever since I saw him in Taboo, I've been hoping to see him in that role. Now for Eva...