New OCR of PROMISES, PROMISES

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 6/15/10 at 12:57pm

I got an advance copy of this CD when I was in NY last week and will be featuring it on my radio program this weekend. Just finished listening to it.

Overall it gives a better representation of the show than the 1968 OBCR. On record , Sean Hayes ha a pleasant, lightweight (NOT in a "gay" way) baritone lacking the gruffness that Orbach's voice had. In many ways this seems more appropriate for the shy, lonely Baxter.

Kristin Chenoweth shows off her "belt" voice, and I enjoyed the track of the interpolated "I Say a Little Prayer." Her "House is not a Home" disappointed, mainly because lately I have been quite mad for Chris Colfer and Cory Monteith's version on the GLEE Showstoppers CD.

Tony Awards viewers may be baffled by winner Kate Finneran's brief appearance on the CD, but the bulk of the score rests with the two leads.

Masterworks Broadway has done a wonderful job with the packaging... a 36 page booklet including 12 full size color pictures, a full cast list, track list (but without track timings...grrrr!), and all the lyrics. Unfortunately no synopsis (other than a short paragraph advising us that the show is based on THE APARTMENT. Fine - but how do listeners know how the songs fit into the story?)

There is a surprise hidden track at the end after the finale. Also the Finale includes teh celebrated final line from the classic film. (the OBCR doesn't have a finale, ending with the title song. Well not really ending, since the song just trails away.)

Makes me regret even more that I couldn't get in to see the show last week. I'll try again when I am there in July.

MARK ANDREW

PROMISES, PROMISES (2010 Broadway cast)

Updated On: 6/15/10 at 12:57 PM

[Marquise]

Posted: 6/15/10 at 1:43pm

I'm listening to it right now via Broadway World Radio and let me tell you I am LOVING every single track on the disc. They did a phenomenal job with it. Kudos to everyone involved. I can't wait to get my copy.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 6/15/10 at 1:44pm

Did someone hijack Marquise's computer?

[Marquise]

Posted: 6/15/10 at 1:46pm

I said I loved the RECORDING. Not so the physical production now playing at the Broadway Theater.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 6/15/10 at 1:50pm

Ah, gotcha. I thought maybe you thought this was about the original cast recording remaster!

[Enjolras77]

Posted: 6/15/10 at 1:50pm

I am loving it too. I will definitely pick it up once it is released. Although I still adore the OCR, it is nice to hear a recording without all of the pitch problems.

[Marquise]

Posted: 6/15/10 at 1:54pm

The new Kritzerland release corrects all the pitch problems on the exclusive 2nd disc.

[morosco]

Posted: 6/15/10 at 3:06pm

The overture on the new recording is too slow for my taste.

[morosco]

Posted: 6/15/10 at 3:32pm

Turkey Lurkey time sounds like it's sung by The Chipmonks.

[Marquise]

Posted: 6/15/10 at 3:38pm

I just gave another listen to TURKEY LURKEY TIME and was reminded of the hatchet job they did to the original arrangement. Ugh...and the vocals...ugh..and that aborted ending to what should have been an explosive climax...ugh. For the most part the recording is good but this track and A HOUSE IS NOT A HOME remind me how much I hate, hate, hate this production of my beloved PROMISES, PROMISES.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 6/15/10 at 3:40pm

What's with BWW Radio? There's usually a few second break between the songs. It's odd to listen to with the end of songs getting cut off.

[Mildred Plotka]

Posted: 6/15/10 at 3:43pm

I noticed that too, CATS. I imagine they're trying to prevent people bootlegging the album.

I think it sound spectacular. Chenoweth fares much better on disc (though I wasn't as troubled by her performance as some).

"Whoever You Are, I Love You" has to be one of the most gorgeous melodies ever written.

[Marquise]

Posted: 6/15/10 at 3:47pm

Chenoweth nailed "Whoever You Are, I Love You". Heartbreaking. Totally in love with that track.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 6/15/10 at 4:02pm

n/m Updated On: 6/15/10 at 04:02 PM

[CockeyedOptimist2]

Posted: 6/15/10 at 4:21pm

Is it on sale at the theater yet? I'm seeing it tonight and would love to pick it up after if I like it.

[rmusic11322]

Posted: 6/16/10 at 1:29pm

I'm listening to the cast recording on BWW Radio and I'm lovin' it. Move over Legally Blonde and Wicked. Here's one teenager that's falling in love with classical musicals!

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 6/16/10 at 2:00pm

Wow, PROMISES, PROMISES was originally billed as an attempt to merge Broadway with "Pop" music and now its called a "Classical" musical. LOL!

It does remind me that it was a shame that Bacharach and David only wrote ONE Broadway musical.

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 6/16/10 at 2:56pm

I'm listening now, and it's not bad...Turkey Lurkey is probably my least favorite (Where did that lovely dance music go?)

However, it has the same sound issues that the other new Sony releases have. It's too clean. It also sounds like a lot of them were recorded in a tunnel...particularly Hayes' dialogue at the start of "She Likes Basketball."

And, is it me, or is "Knowing When to Leave" still way too slow?

[twinbelters]

Posted: 6/16/10 at 3:12pm

"Wow, PROMISES, PROMISES was originally billed as an attempt to merge Broadway with "Pop" music and now its called a "Classical" musical. LOL! "

And the music that Promises, Promises was trying to replace was once the popular music. I love that when Paul Lynde sings "Kids" in Bye Bye Birdy he is bemoaning contemporary popular music of the era in the style of a Depression-era charleston-type melody--the popular music of HIS era! Such a cunning move.

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 6/16/10 at 3:31pm

If only I could listen to this...

BWW Radio is racist against Macs.

[defyingravity11]

Posted: 6/16/10 at 3:33pm

^ I can play it on my Mac. Try downloading Realplayer for Mac. It works for me: http://www.real.com/realplayer/mac

[ljay889]

Posted: 6/16/10 at 3:34pm

I think if you downloaded it from a certain website, the sound is so terrible because it's probably a rip from BWW radio.

[bwayfan7000]

Posted: 6/16/10 at 3:50pm

I have been trying to hear this recording since yesterday on BWW Radio, but no luck. It won't play, and I really don't want to download a new player to hear it. I guess I'll have to be patient and wait until Tuesday.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 6/16/10 at 4:14pm

I DID download the new player, and it still tells me that I am missing the plug-in. Not cool.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 6/16/10 at 4:17pm

So apparently it works in Safari. I was trying it on Google Chrome, but to no avail. Safari seems to be working though.