Nine Cast Recording

[chino]

Posted: 5/17/07 at 6:53pm

Hello Everyone.

I don't know anything about the show, should I get a cast recording of "Nine?" If yes, which one? The one with Antonio Banderas or with Raul Julia?

Thanks in advance.

God Bless.



Updated On: 5/17/07 at 06:53 PM

[bobby_luvs_bway]

Posted: 5/17/07 at 7:03pm

I love this show. I have 3 cast recordings of it. I like the revival alot, but the OBC is the most complete. The London concert is good, if only because Elaine Paige sings the part of Claudia. I really like the voices better on the revival, but the orchestrations aren't as full as the OBC. AND...they don't use the mandolins in the revival.

[LostLeander]

Posted: 5/17/07 at 7:19pm

I actually don't really like the revival recording.

I think all of the voices on the OBC are so much stronger and more distinct than those on the Revival.

Except for maybe Benanti, but Burch has grown on me quite a bit.

I would suggest the OBC.

[morosco]

Posted: 5/17/07 at 7:29pm

My fav is the original cast.

[bobby_luvs_bway]

Posted: 5/17/07 at 7:33pm

I would say that as an introduction to the show, the OBC would be the best. It's the most complete and beautifully arranged. They don't have orchestras like that anymore.

[Mandi Moo]

Posted: 5/17/07 at 7:34pm

I love all 3 recordings, so I don't think that you could go wrong with whatever one you happen to get.

Recently, I've been listening to the London one the most. I think the performances are all good, especially Paige and Pryce, and there are men in the chorus which is fun.

The OBC is the most complete and has great orchestrations and performances, though sometimes the vocals can be a bit iffy.

The revival cast is also great, and it's definitely the best quality of the 3 recordings.
Updated On: 5/17/07 at 07:34 PM

[chino]

Posted: 5/17/07 at 7:34pm

Wow, there is a concert recording? Is it nice? I might get that one too.

[C is for Company]

Posted: 5/17/07 at 7:44pm

Definitely OBC. If you can tolerate Akers vocals, then you have yourself a cd where every track is a listenable gem.

[best12bars]

Posted: 5/17/07 at 7:57pm

Definitely the OBC (2-disc remaster). And Karen Akers is brilliant on the recording. Nobody sings "My Husband Makes Movies" better.

No one.

[LostLeander]

Posted: 5/17/07 at 8:03pm

I LOVE Akers. She's a heck of a lot better than bland Masterson.

I absoltutely can't remember a single thing about the revival of Nine. Except that Chita Rivera kicked her face, and Krakowski was nearly naked, and I heard her boob came out sometimes.

[wexy]

Posted: 5/17/07 at 8:24pm

I liked it when it when I saw it with Antonio. I bought the CD and later put it on my iPod, I cant listen to it.

[best12bars]

Posted: 5/17/07 at 8:26pm

I love how Tommy Tune used to cast his shows. They weren't perfect people. Not "cookie cutter" in any way. They were flawed or quirky or non-traditional in some aspect, and yet he always seemed to make them beautiful, fascinating and glamorous... and the right choice... because they were interesting people. From leads, right down to the last chorus member.

It made for better shows and better cast recordings too.

I don't EVER want to hear "My Husband Makes Movies" sung "pretty" or "flawlessly." Not ever.

I want my Karen Akers with that euro-rasp in her voice. That world-weary quality that can dig in when needed, and then back off to that haunting faraway sound on "Long ago... someone else ago..."

You can keep all your ideal choices for casting and singing, and I'll stick with Karen and that song, just as is.

[ljay889]

Posted: 5/17/07 at 8:27pm

Anita Morris owns the original!

Get it!

[C is for Company]

Posted: 5/17/07 at 8:31pm

best12, I assume then that you love "Be On Your Own" as well? I love her "My Husband Makes Movies," but can't stand the other. Perhaps it could be that I find it better written, but there is just something about that last song of hers...

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 5/17/07 at 8:33pm

Try to find the Australian Cast Recording, perfect in nearly every way.

[best12bars]

Posted: 5/17/07 at 8:37pm

Yes, I love Be On Your Own with Karen. (for the reasons I mentioned above...) Her euro-rasp, world-weary exasperation. It's emotional and glamorous and touching.

But "pretty?" No, thank God.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 5/17/07 at 10:11pm

I couldn't agree more, Besty. Karen Akers "My Husband Makes Movies" is so painful, moving, and emotional. She has a very unique voice that fits the character so well, I particularly love her in the OBC 2-disc version during the prelude to that number: "Please! When will you understand?" So precious.
Her "Be On Your Own" is so angry but I feel that her Luisa always has that vulnerability and pain that can only come from loving Guido so much.
I don't think anyone from the revival, save for William Ullrich whose "Getting Tall" is stunning, can beat the OBC. Antonio Banderas does a great job but Raul Julia owns the role. Mary Stuart Masterson has a nice voice but she's missing that something that Karen Akers added to the role. I'm obsessed with Jane Krakowski in anything she has ever done--including the ONCE UPON A MATTRESS debacle-- and her "A Call from the Vatican" plays non-stop on my iPod, but even I can recognize that Anita Morris IS Carla; the way she talks to Guido during the opening sequence is priceless, her "A Call from the Vatican" is fascinating, and her "Simple" is heart-breaking, how I wish she had done any other recordings. Laura Benanti sings "Unusual Way" beautifully but I think Shelly Burch's Claudia is far more exquisite. And I can't stand Myra Lucretia Taylor's "Be Italian," especially when Kathi Moss' version is so flawless.
Also, in the OBCR you get "The Germans at the Spa" which is a fun number to listen to.

[Fenchurch]

Posted: 5/17/07 at 10:28pm

I LOVE the revival for the following reasons:

Solo un film!

Solo un film! la mia vita, solo un film, il nostro amore, solo un film! Basta!, etc.

Va bene, va bene, you feel betrayed..etc...

That whole dialogue between them is just SO full of anguish, I just love it. And if you understand Italian (please forgive my Italian above, its from memory and most probably wrong) it's even better

[ljay889]

Posted: 5/17/07 at 10:32pm

Karen Akers is divine.

The end.

[morosco]

Posted: 5/17/07 at 10:41pm

For the record...I think the most complete recording of NINE is the 2 cd edition of the London concert cast. Unfortunately it appears to be out of print. Apparently the only version of that concert still available is the one cd "highlights" release.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 5/17/07 at 10:54pm

I can't stand the London concert cast recording, from Jonathan Pryce to Elaine Paige's "Unusual Way," I just find it subpar to the beautiful 2-disc OBCR and the great revival cast recording.
I do love that little exchange between Banderas and Mary Stuart Masterson at the end of The Grand Canal Sequence, he tries telling her it is just a movie, and she asks "just a movie? our life is just a movie? our love is just a movie?" It's great. I still prefer Karen Akers and Raul Julia though.

[NCGuy]

Posted: 5/17/07 at 10:57pm

I think the double album of the London concert is available on iTunes.

I’ve never actually seen the show staged, but I love the OBC. I bought the Australian CD a few months ago after reading Rosscoe’s comments on another thread, and it’s also wonderful (probably my favorite recording of “Unusual Way”).

[sparrman]

Posted: 5/18/07 at 1:26am

If you're interested in the piece itself, get the OBC, however do make sure you get the 2-disc remastering. But just for the sake of listening, Antonio Banderas is much easier on the ears than Raul Julia, and he's especially effective in "I Can't Make This Movie". However, his fast patter moments are totally unintelligible.

I feel the only thing the London recording has going for it is its rendition of the title song; the singer is quite touching. The Australian has its moments, and perhaps the Guido with the fullest voice, but I'd still go with the OBC or revival.
Updated On: 5/18/07 at 01:26 AM

Posted: 5/18/07 at 1:44am

Order the OBCR for sure. Now.

E

[LostLeander]

Posted: 5/18/07 at 1:58am

I'd get it just for Anita Morris'.

We all know Vatican, and Simple are divine, but I think my favorite thing she does is her entrance in the show...

Her "Guido... *lightly touched high C*"...

Brilliant.

She's sex.