My thoughts on 2006 Company Revival CD - A masterpiece !

[jaystarr]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 2:22pm

Hi All-

Finally ! I finished listening (2/15) to the whole CD- twice ! I am blown away with this new recording. Well I am going to say what I love about the CD -

1.)The Orchestration is EXCELLENT > It almost seems like the instruments were singing too, and the whole recording feels so intimate & "chamber"ly (is that an adjective?

2) the CD packaging - Sondheim fans wont be disappointed ! (it contains incredible thick booklet which includes lyrics, review, synopsis, production b/w photos and photos of the recording sessions)

3. The Songs were just incredibly sung ( I dont think that I did not like any tracks at all ) the part I love most is the book (dialogue) that theyve inserted in the songs ( I have the OBC and 1994 Revival and this is soo different from them - I felt like its almost an entirely whole new musical recording )

4. Raul Esparza - I love that man's voice- everytime he sings - I am in heaven ! (Being Alive is so good of course with an intro dialogue "You have a good third husband, Joanne" that leads to the climactic number of Being Alive

5. The Whole Company- Excellent !!! specially "Side by Side"(I love the beginning .. feels soo jazzy ! ) and " What Would We Do Without You" (definitely love the part where everyone plays their instrument individually towards the end as a solo part)

6. Lastly I felt like there were some annoying part from 1994 Revival (forgive me for saying) when they are singing "bobby, bobby, bobby"- in this recording its almost a chant .. beautifully done and also I hate the "dududu" part in "You Could Drive A Person Crazy " (sounds outdated) which they removed and substitute it with saxophone parts- "what a great idea ! "

I cannot say anything bad about the recording ! Thanks PS Classics,
John Doyle , MM Campbell (orchestrator) Stephen Sondheim and ofcourse the Cast
of 2006 Company for giving us this masterpiece !!! The Recording is exactly as I remember it on Ethel Barrymore Theater. Do yourself a favor - BUY THE CD and see the SHOW & you will be REWARDED !!!






Updated On: 2/16/07 at 02:22 PM

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 2:25pm

Okay. I love this show. I love the album. I love Raúl. I even agree with your thoughts. But really, there are like 84 threads about the cast recording. This could easily have gone into any one of them.

Updated On: 2/15/07 at 02:25 PM

[jaystarr]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 3:05pm

yup- I know.. But I felt like I have POST this review ... oops sorry ! for double

[pianoman215]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 5:39pm

Jay, why would you apologize for creating a thread and posting on a message board, regardless of any pre-existing threads? You are entitled to do exactly as you did and luvtheemceee is just a load for making you feel as if you needed to apologize.

Thanks for posting your review.
Updated On: 2/15/07 at 05:39 PM

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 5:42pm

Oh, aren't I just?

By the way, your missing question mark paged. It feels left behind.

[pianoman215]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 5:55pm

Happy now? Perhaps you can fix your second sentence as long as you are looking for perfection on these boards.

[Julian2]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 5:56pm

Is it packaged in a double CD plastic case, or standard PS classics "makes me nervous to handle" paper?

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 5:59pm

Oh, I'm thrilled! There's nothing wrong with my second sentence.

Whatever.

The jewelcase is inside a cardboard sleeve, Julian. Is that what you mean? It's only one disc, so it's a single CD case, but the booklet and case fit inside the sleeve.

Posted: 2/15/07 at 6:27pm

i love how its mixed, with every voice & instrument on its own distinct & seperate track...it really goes along with the idea that the whole show is taking place inside Bobby's head...because all these exhanges are going back & forth between your ears!

[jaystarr]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 9:11pm

I could have agree more

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 9:13pm

I would comment on it, except my CD has not arrived yet! This really sucks since I am going out of town tomorrow and won't be able to hear it until next tuesday. AHH

[jaystarr]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 9:14pm

Look at my avatar- I took a picture of it

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 10:32pm

I see it but I want to hear it!

[gumbo2]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 10:38pm

Ugh, mine hasn't come either! I can hardly stand waiting for it anymore...it better be here tomorrow.

[travtrev2]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 10:43pm

i like it... kinda. i haven't listened through the whole thing yet, but it feels like it's lacking something. i think i just loved the show so much, my expectations were through the roof. raul sounds amazing, so do a few others. new orchestrations sound great. i fell in love with the sweeney recording immediately, maybe this one will take a few tries?

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 10:45pm

Try listening to the whole thing, and don't skip around. Go in order.

[roseaddams]

Posted: 2/16/07 at 12:47am

For some reason, based on the pictures I've seen of Angel Desai, I thought she'd have a much higher voice. But 'Another Hundred People' works so amazingly with her vocals -- for me, Pamela Myers on the OBC just isn't that great anymore.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 2/16/07 at 12:55am

put down the meds
and listen to the original

[sweetestsiren]

Posted: 2/16/07 at 1:19am

All of the other threads on the Company cast recording are heavily dominated by "When are we going to get it?" discussion, for the record. There hasn't been a thread devoted to discussing the album itself (that I've found), so I'm glad that someone started one.

I am so pleased with the recording. The cast sounds lovely and I really love the mixing, and think that overall it's a really good representation of the production. And the dialogue, particularly the pieces that they've chosen, adds so much to the emotional impact of the songs. Having those scenes was such a pleasant surprise, since all other Company recordings that I know of are songs-only.

[jenna2]

Posted: 2/16/07 at 1:29am

Thanks for such a detailed review jaystarr! I've been debating whether I should pay the import price to have the cd booklet and such, or download it through itunes (which would be MUCH cheaper). I think I'm going to go ahead and order it now...

[FosseForever3]

Posted: 2/16/07 at 10:34am

I think Raul sounds soo fantastic! Whoever commented on the dialogue, I couldn't agree more! It definately adds to the recording.

[folkyboy]

Posted: 2/16/07 at 10:37am

the dialogue after GETTING MARRIED TODAY stopped me as much as it did on the stage. it really is heartbreakingly beautiful. i'm so all over this CD.

[shesamarshmallow]

Posted: 2/16/07 at 10:42am

Who wants to bet some stupid popular show comes out this year and robs this CD of the Grammy?


eta: Hey, my 1000th post! :)

Updated On: 2/16/07 at 10:42 AM

[uncageg]

Posted: 2/16/07 at 10:55am

I ordered mine last Friday from PS Classics and it hasn't arrived yet! I am in Denver so I am hoping it gets here today.

[jaystarr]

Posted: 2/16/07 at 10:58am

Hi Jenna

I definitely recommend buying it as a physical CD ( I have downloaded CR before on itunes.. like Grey Gardens and ended up buying it again on the store bec. of the lyrics)

You wont regret buying it. Its 'almost" an entirely different recording from the OBC and 1994 Revival Cast Recording bec. of the extra book (dialogue) and spanking new orchestration.

Also Track 2 " Little Things You Do Together" has added dialogue in between (karate dialogue and also the lyrics booklet has the dialogue too aside from the standard lyrics , same with Another Hundred People - it has a dialogue between April & Bobby, Kathy & Bobby... giving more depth to the characters and Bobby's relationship to the two ladies.

Lastly I may add to my original posting : I definitely love the ending of this cast Recording .. how they omitted the Finale Number / Reprise of Company ( as in the 1994 Revival ) and ended it with " Being Alive" - which is the pinnacle of what's going on Bobby's head ) Raul version is very emotional , almost the "vulnerable & soft "bobby .. specially when he sings the " the part ... Mock me with praise... we hear a different Bobby here (almost haunting )

And yes (shesamarsmallow) It would be a shame if this CD lost as Best Musical Recording in Grammy next year.. but I think Company 2006 Revival will have a tough time next year with Grey Gardens & Spring Awakening Cast Recordings-- Its a tough choice ! I love them all and me myself I cannot decide which is a better Cast recording (cant compare them !!!) thanks-J*








Updated On: 2/16/07 at 10:58 AM