New Cast Recordings you like better than the OBCR

[TheaterBaby]

Posted: 7/31/08 at 11:23am

I feel this goes along with a few of the current threads, even if it has been done in the past.

Not necessarily the show itself, but the RECORDING. Also can apply to comparing recordings of Off-Broadway to Broadway

For me:
1999 - Annie Get Your Gun
2003 - Little Shop of Horrors
1979 - Oklahoma
1995 - Company
1989 - Anything Goes (the London Cast Recording), though I also enjoy the '87 Bway Revival Cast Recording of the same production

Updated On: 7/31/08 at 11:23 AM

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 7/31/08 at 11:27am

1992 Guys & Dolls...listening right now!

[mallardo]

Posted: 7/31/08 at 11:32am

Agree about "Guys & Dolls". Also the 1996 "Forum" for the same reason - Nathan Lane.

And the 1998 Papermill Playhouse "Follies", for being so complete.

[Brick]

Posted: 7/31/08 at 11:43am

KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN 1993 New Cast Recording with Vanessa Williams.
CHICAGO 1998 London Revival Cast Recording with Ruthie Henshall and Ute Lemper

[Byron Abens]

Posted: 8/1/08 at 12:29am

I'll agree about the '92 Guys & Dolls, as well as the '87 Anything Goes.

The London Secret Garden. The elimination of the Dreamers/Ghosts helped tighten the show immensely and really brought the story much closer to the book. Plus, you have two London actresses who I adore, Linzi Hateley (the title character in that legendary flop, Carrie) and Meredith Braun, who I loved as Belle in The Muppet Christmas Carol and I thought was far superior to Judy Kuhn in the recordings of Sunset Blvd.

I'll also say the '94 Damn Yankees. I know all the changes to both the book and score upset a lot of the purists, but as this was the second Broadway show I ever saw (on my first Broadway show-seeing trip to NYC) there is a soft spot in my heart for it.

I have created my own Nine playlist in iTunes, mixing tracks from the original and the revival. If I had to pick one to live with though, it would be the revival, if only for Laura Benanti's hauntingly beautiful Unusual Way.

I'm mixed on the '95 How to Succeed. I love the new dance break in Coffee Break, and think Victoria Clark was a far superior Smitty to the original, but there are aspects and performances of the original that I like better.

I'm also mixed on the 42nd Street revival. Once again, there are performances on each that outshine their counterparts, but the show does sound bigger in the revival and a little cleaner in terms of the orchestrations, so that one definitely has been played more in my iTunes than the original.
Updated On: 8/1/08 at 12:29 AM

[delucad15]

Posted: 8/2/08 at 1:00am

I totally agree with Guys and Dolls, and I much prefer Cathy Rigby to Mary Martin's recording of Peter Pan

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/2/08 at 1:08am

I agree 1998 FOLLIES for its completeness.

[gypsy4]

Posted: 8/2/08 at 1:13am

Annie get your gun
fiddler on the roof.

[Mildred Plotka]

Posted: 8/2/08 at 1:14am

While some recordings are valuable because of their completeness (like Follies), I find the current manner of recording cast albums inferior sound wise.

[oohshizz146]

Posted: 8/2/08 at 1:15am

A CHORUS LINE REVIVAL!

[myshikobit]

Posted: 8/2/08 at 3:27pm

Totally agree w. anything Nathan Lane. I was just in Guys and Dolls, and the choreographer always used the revival in rehearsals, because the original's kind of... unbearably stale. Nathan brings life to every show he does, which is why it's always great to listen to.

[tazber]

Posted: 8/2/08 at 3:48pm

Flower Drum Song with Lea Salonga
Anything Goes with Patti Lupone
Guys And Dolls with Faith Prince
She Loves Me with Boyd Gaines

Otherwise, I find most revival recordings lacking.

[TheaterBaby]

Posted: 8/2/08 at 7:45pm

Odd. I find the newer recordings to be of better quality, probably because of the available technology.

Certain shows I will just always prefer the originals.
Not at all judging anyone's preferences. That's not what this thread is about; but I definitely prefer Mary Martin's Peter Pan to Cathy Rigby. In fairness, Mary's Peter Pan is the reason I'm a fan of theatre. :)

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 8/2/08 at 7:48pm

A Chorus Line 2006
and I'm probably alone on this one, but 2006 London Cast of Sunday int he Park

[musicaltheater1]

Posted: 8/2/08 at 8:54pm

1. I agree with tazber - Flower Drum Song with Lea Salonga, Jose Llana and Sandra Allen.
2. The just released Original International Tour Cast Recording of R&H's Cinderella with Lea Salonga and Peter Saide. Pictures: http://afleasalonga.multiply.com/photos/album/97/Cinderella_Asian_Cast_Recording_CD#
3. Cabaret - 1998 Broadway Revival
4. Carousel - 1994 Broadway Revival
5. Oliver!- 1994 London Palladium Cast Recording (but "As Long As He Needs Me" from Hey Mr. Producer recording was better)

Updated On: 8/2/08 at 08:54 PM

[jv92]

Posted: 8/2/08 at 9:44pm

I like the new South Pacific album better than the original particularly because the sound quality is better on the newer one (duh), it is very complete without being overwhelming AND I think Szot is better than Pinza. Go ahead, shoot.