Man of La Mancha - which recording?
Man of La Mancha - which recording?
#0Man of La Mancha - which recording?
Posted: 12/7/04 at 10:33pm
Hi, all.
I am listening to the NBCR of Man of La Mancha, which I quite enjoy. There are a ton of OBCR's on Amazon used - is it worth getting? I have a couple recordings of other shows I love and am wondering if I should pick the OBCR up.
Thanx.
"What the hell happened to you? You look like a Make-A-Wish Kid. You know, I just knew you were gonna bring shame on this new family of ours, and it just figures you had to go make yourself over into some heroin-shootin skate board chic on the only day E! could interview you!" - Cherry Cherry, on her daughter Mary Cherry
#1re: Man of La Mancha - which recording?
Posted: 12/7/04 at 10:34pmIf it's used and really cheap, why not? But I would still say that the revival is the best.
"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy."
-Charlie Manson
#2re: Man of La Mancha - which recording?
Posted: 12/7/04 at 10:36pmWell I guess that's the why not? I mean, why spend $7 of I would never listen to it because it isn't as good as the rival. It's like, since I picked up the Danish cast recording of Chess, I NEVER listen to the London concept!
"What the hell happened to you? You look like a Make-A-Wish Kid. You know, I just knew you were gonna bring shame on this new family of ours, and it just figures you had to go make yourself over into some heroin-shootin skate board chic on the only day E! could interview you!" - Cherry Cherry, on her daughter Mary Cherry
twogaab2
Broadway Star Joined: 5/19/03
#3re: Man of La Mancha - which recording?
Posted: 12/8/04 at 10:04am
The Original Broadway Cast is INFINITLY better than the cast of the current revival. It is nice to hear voices that are not afraid to sing on them. Stokes-Mitchell has a wonderful voice (perhaps one of the best) but seems afraid to actually sing all the notes for fear of being called a "singer" rather than an "actor" (sprechstimme abounds). The origial cast is better sung, and just as well acted.
P.S., if you can get your hands on an LP copy of the London Cast, it is well worth your time. Keith Mitchell (6 Wives of Henery VIII) is wonderful, Deiner repeats her Broadway role.
Just my opinion, I may be wrong.
TWOGAAB
"A Class Act" will never die!
#4re: Man of La Mancha - which recording?
Posted: 12/8/04 at 11:15amThere was a remastered issue of the original Broadway cast. That is what I would recommend. The sound quality was greatly improved and the cast is nothing less than perfect. The London cast recording is also good and features most of the dialogue, but was only issued on LP and cassette. There is a decent 2-CD full recording of a concert cast with Rob Raines and Kim Criswell that's also good. I would avoid the studio recoding with Domingo and Patinkin, but I consider that self-explanatory.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
Broadway Matt
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/17/03
#5re: Man of La Mancha - which recording?
Posted: 12/8/04 at 11:19amI actually enjoy the Domingo/Patinkin recording. I'm not a huge Patinkin fan but I think his Sancho is an interesting listen. And I much prefer Julia Migenes over Mastrantonio.
"The last train out of any station will not be full of nice guys." - Dr. Hunter S. Thompson
"I wash my face, then drink beer, then I weep. Say a prayer and induce insincere self-abuse, till I'm fast asleep"- In Trousers
#6re: Man of La Mancha - which recording?
Posted: 12/8/04 at 11:29amMastrantonio is the only thing about the revival I didn't like, and luckily, I saw Marin Mazzie and she was AWESOME. The original is pretty good, but Brian Stokes Mitchell is too amazing for words and it would seem that hearing him sing the role would be worth it.
"It's our time, breathe it in, worlds to change and worlds to win. Our turn, coming through. Me and you, pal, me and you!"
-Merrily We Roll Along
#7re: Man of La Mancha - which recording?
Posted: 12/8/04 at 11:37amWell, I love Stokes, no doubt. But I agree that the OBC recording is the one to have. Especially if you find a cheap, copy. The revival cast recording just isn't as good, overall, IMO.
"Do you know ChrisLovesShows?" "Yes. Why, yes he does!"
#8re: Man of La Mancha - which recording?
Posted: 12/8/04 at 11:39amAt least illegally download Stoke's tracks though!
"It's our time, breathe it in, worlds to change and worlds to win. Our turn, coming through. Me and you, pal, me and you!"
-Merrily We Roll Along
#9re: Man of La Mancha - which recording?
Posted: 12/8/04 at 12:10pmMigenes is the only thing about the studio recording that keeps me from tossing it. She is divine, but Mandy's Sancho is just unbearable. He just uses the most nasal part of his voice to create a character voice and does his usual falsetto stuff. His Sancho is so subdued (which is odd, considering, Mandy's zeal for maniacal ranting), it sounds more like they recorded Mandy rehearsing than intentionally performing the role.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
#10re: Man of La Mancha - which recording?
Posted: 12/8/04 at 12:13pmget the original. Stokes seemed afraid of the show so they slowed down the songs for him. The show is amazing with a great score but the new cast the music was so slow I can't listen to it without twitching.
"Judy Garland, Jimmy Dean, You tragedy Queen" ~ Taboo
"Watching a frat boy realize just what he put his d!ck in...ex's getting std's...schadenfruede" ~ Ave Q
"when dangers near, exploit their fear" ~ Reefer Madness the Musical
"Watching a frat boy realize just what he put his d!ck in...ex's getting std's...schadenfruede" ~ Ave Q
"when dangers near, exploit their fear" ~ Reefer Madness the Musical
Broadway Matt
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/17/03
#11re: Man of La Mancha - which recording?
Posted: 12/8/04 at 12:16pmMigenes' "Aldonza" is the best I've ever heard. Wish I could catch her as Harper in the Angels in America opera. But I don't think I'll be hitting France anytime soon.
"The last train out of any station will not be full of nice guys." - Dr. Hunter S. Thompson
"I wash my face, then drink beer, then I weep. Say a prayer and induce insincere self-abuse, till I'm fast asleep"- In Trousers
sanda
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/10/04
#12re: Man of La Mancha - which recording?
Posted: 12/8/04 at 12:33pm
I loved New Bway cast recording. Stokes is the best singer of all. I cannot say he is the best actor because there are so many great actors in la mancha. For example, London's Keith Mitchell moved me deeply. However, Stokes can sing the song which no one could sing as beautiful , moving and glorious like that. His Impossible Dream is the best.
Besides that , the Complete Recording is worth buying because it is the most complete recording. Includes all the dialogue.
www.amazon.de has the Belgium cast recording starring Jose van Dam. If you are an opera fan and love this greatest Baritone of our time, you should try it.
Domingo's La Mancha is the least thing I would recommend. Patinkin's Sancho drive me crazy. I love his The Secret Garden though.
#13re: Man of La Mancha - which recording?
Posted: 12/8/04 at 12:42pmIn Stokes's defense - the recording of the revival was very different from the actual stage production -my roommate was in the orchestra and told me all kinds of stories about changes that were made for the recording.
"I don't really get the ending,all i can go with is when after several months,Judith saw Pat sang,and later she kissed him on the toilet,after that the story back to where Pat went down from the stage after he'd sung,and he went to the italian lady.I just don't get it,what Judith exatcly meant when he kissed Pat that she had seen,and did Pat end up together with The Italian Lady?Please help me,thank u very much!"
Quote from someone on IMDB in reference to a movie he/she didn't understand. Such grammar!
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
#14re: Man of La Mancha - which recording?
Posted: 12/8/04 at 2:20pm
The OBC with Richard Kiley and Joan Diner.
Anything else is imitation.
#15re: Man of La Mancha - which recording?
Posted: 12/8/04 at 2:52pmI don't think any Aldonza can top Joan Diener and match her freakish vocal range...I'm for the OBC all the way!
jmaclover
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/13/04
#16re: Man of La Mancha - which recording?
Posted: 12/8/04 at 2:53pmBrian stokes mitchell FOREVER!
"I've often said I should put sweets in my chair - they'd spend less time on my a** that way....." ~F.W.B.
#17re: Man of La Mancha - which recording?
Posted: 12/8/04 at 2:56pmjmaclover your posts are always so insightful...
"Judy Garland, Jimmy Dean, You tragedy Queen" ~ Taboo
"Watching a frat boy realize just what he put his d!ck in...ex's getting std's...schadenfruede" ~ Ave Q
"when dangers near, exploit their fear" ~ Reefer Madness the Musical
"Watching a frat boy realize just what he put his d!ck in...ex's getting std's...schadenfruede" ~ Ave Q
"when dangers near, exploit their fear" ~ Reefer Madness the Musical
Plum
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/4/04
#18re: Man of La Mancha - which recording?
Posted: 12/8/04 at 3:24pmI've only heard the revival recording, and as much as I love Brian Stokes Mitchell's voice, it's not a very good CD. Maybe it's the score I don't like, but it seems to be repetitive, like most of the songs could lose a verse or 3 and sound much better. And "It's All the Same" is just painful to listen to.
#19re: Man of La Mancha - which recording?
Posted: 12/8/04 at 3:25pmthe Revival cast is the best i think!
Plum
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/4/04
#20re: Man of La Mancha - which recording?
Posted: 12/8/04 at 3:27pmHave you ever heard the OBC, musicalfandukie?
jmaclover
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/13/04
#21re: Man of La Mancha - which recording?
Posted: 12/8/04 at 3:34pm
I like It's All The Same ---
the OBC is OK, but Brian Stokes and Ernie Sabella are great!
"I've often said I should put sweets in my chair - they'd spend less time on my a** that way....." ~F.W.B.
BialyBloomInc02
Stand-by Joined: 7/4/03
#22re: Man of La Mancha - which recording?
Posted: 12/8/04 at 3:55pm
The most unfortunate thing about the Revival Cast Recording was that Stokes' Quixote, as heard on the CD, was FAR different from the one he portrayed on stage. On the CD, although Mitchell's voice is divine, he doesn't really embody the character like he did at the Hirschfeld. It sounds more like Brian Stokes Mitchell singing the Impossible Dream, rather than BSM playing Don Quixote singing the Impossible Dream. His phrasing in the theatre was very good, especially the contrasts in actually singing the verses, and speaking them. The impact that The Impossible Dream had live on stage far exceeds the recording, where there are, at times, places in the first two verses where the speaking and singing seem 'off'.
Having only seen Kiley's interpretation on old television shows and hearing him on the cast album, it's not truly fair to say that one is better than the other; however, seeing Mitchell and Co 3 times, I absolutely loved BSMs portrayal of Quixote as a desheveled old fool that possessed blind optimism and didn't seem nearly as cold as Kiley's interpretation. I'm sorry, but Kiley's Impossible Dream where he holds onto the pole for 2 minutes does not come any where close to the impact that came with revival's staging (even though it was still very simple..)
But I digress! I think your best bet is the Original Cast album (the Decca remaster ideally) and if possible, it might be worth your while tracking down the OLC, as Michell gives an incredible performance. Domingo's recording was just plain BRUTAL. Yes Domingo can raise the keys and hit the notes masterfully, but where's the character??
On a side note, there were some major technical problems in the production of the Revival recording. For instance, if you turn the volume up past a certain level, the higher/louder sounds in the track become muffled and distorted (this has been noted on several forums and amazon.com). The flutes are also very shrill throughout. Other than level issues, however, it's a brilliant recording!
Updated On: 12/8/04 at 03:55 PM
#23re: Man of La Mancha - which recording?
Posted: 12/8/04 at 4:47pmi bought the OBCR on dvd not too long ago, but it's frankly not as good as i remember it being. while richard kiley (don quixote) is first rate, the singing voices of irving jacobson (sancho) and joan diener (aldonza) leave something to be desired. anyone else out there who doesn't think those two can sing?
RIP glebby <3
WiCkEDrOcKS
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/13/04
#24re: Man of La Mancha - which recording?
Posted: 12/8/04 at 4:56pmBrian Stokes Mitchell was GREAT as Don Quixote when I saw it and I favor that CD (the recent revival). IMPOSSIBLE DREAM is wonderful on this album.
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