PROMISES, PROMISES - OCR NEW 2 CD SET HEAD'S UP- Page 7

[SweeneyPhanatic]

Posted: 7/9/10 at 3:54pm

This is probably a stupid question, but I'm going to ask it anyway: If I don't already own a recording of "Promises, Promises," is this the recording to own?

(Your answers will help me justify the little splurge this would be, so...)

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 7/9/10 at 4:14pm

READ the first post of this thread. Also, re-read EVERY single post on this thread.

If THJOS doesn't more than answer your question... I don't know what will.

[bk]

Posted: 7/9/10 at 7:57pm

Hoping Morosco finally got his copy. If not, please drop me a line at kritzerland at gmail dot com.

[Mildred Plotka]

Posted: 7/9/10 at 11:32pm

Yes Sweeney this is the definitive Promises OBCR release and well worth the splurge (I'd call it an investment). And if you need money in a few years you could probably fetch a good price for it on EBAY.

[morosco]

Posted: 7/10/10 at 12:14am

Well I finally have the Kritzerland Promises, Promises in my hands and I can't possibly put into words how astonishing this release is. What first blew me away was the clarity and depth of the sound. It sounds as if it were recorded yesterday!

A couple of things that spring to mind. I nearly jumped out of my chair when I suddenly heard, seemingly for the first time, those muted trumpets after Orbach sings the line I'm gonna buy me a hat in the song "Our Little Secret". And the solo trumpet at the beginning of "Where Can You Take A Girl" sounds as if someone is here in front of me playing it live!

There are far too many stunning moments to post here. I haven't even begun to praise the vocals! Damn they sound good. (I can't stop listening to that amazing note O'Hara holds at the end of the last track.

I'm simply exhausted from having multiple eargasms tonight.

[morosco]

Posted: 7/10/10 at 12:25am

Oh...and you know how you usually have a favorite little tiny moment on a cast recording that you just love? My favorite moment is when the strings come in with their counter-melody as O'Hara sings climbing hills and rowing boats during "You'll Think of Someone". Sublime.

[twinbelters]

Posted: 7/10/10 at 1:14am

Sween: This reissue has all the dimension and luster of a classic Columbia cast recording. The MGM version sounds like how a film score sound engineer might think a cast album should sound. The second disc is amazing but I think the first disc is such a precious little jewel. I and my ears are so grateful.

[morosco]

Posted: 7/11/10 at 12:56am

Bruce, do you know how many musicians there were in the studio for the recording? Was it the same number of musicians for the recording as there were for the Shubert pit?

[bk]

Posted: 7/11/10 at 1:31am

I don't know for sure - I think the pit band probably had about twenty-four or five players - that was the norm back then. They may have added a few strings but it actually doesn't sound like it to me. But boy were they great players - I'm sure hand-picked by Burt.

[binau]

Posted: 7/15/10 at 2:17am

This is such a shameless pipe-dream (but the consolation is your thread will be bumped again!)

But this '2D CD Set' has made me long for you to buy the JAY RECORDS Anyone Can Whistle tapes, master and release them! Guhhh, 'money money money'.

[bk]

Posted: 7/25/10 at 12:43am

Here's Steve Suskin's review of the remixed Promises - enjoy!

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/141471-ON-THE-RECORD-Promises-Promises-Then-and-Now/pg2

And you'll want to be at your computers early Monday morning - we have an announcement that will undoubtedly make some people very, very happy, me inlcuded :)

[morosco]

Posted: 7/25/10 at 1:26pm

I hope it's the London Promises Promises. If not, I'm sure whatever you have to tell us will be great news!

[bk]

Posted: 7/25/10 at 8:00pm

Wow, wouldn't that be something.

[wonkit]

Posted: 7/25/10 at 8:32pm

Bruce - nice column from Suskin, and all well deserved.

[Mildred Plotka]

Posted: 7/25/10 at 9:20pm

Don't toy with my Cast Album heart Bruce Kimmel!

[twinbelters]

Posted: 7/25/10 at 9:32pm

I'm guessing A Time For Singing. Can't wait to find out!

[Mildred Plotka]

Posted: 7/25/10 at 9:42pm

I can't believe Cry for Us All hasn't sold out. I assumed that was on the top of most collector's list. Guess there's not as many of us around, these days.

[bk]

Posted: 7/25/10 at 11:36pm

Yes, exactly right. When I began my recording journey, if we issued any off-Broadway cast album, singer album, or reissue, the minimum we'd sell is 3000. Today, no. Promises really shocked me in terms of how fast it went - even Illya and Anya took three months to sell their 1000 copies. I suspect tomorrow's announcement to do swift business - at least that's the hope.

[Mildred Plotka]

Posted: 7/25/10 at 11:43pm

Oh you cast album tease! I'm sure I'll be happy whatever it is. Besides Regina I wasn't too impressed with Sony's recent reissue list. I'm sure you've got something great, as always!

I'm going to go listen to Cry for Us All again to tide me over!

[Mildred Plotka]

Posted: 7/25/10 at 11:49pm

And I am also discouraged that the new crop of musical theatre fans (not all, but it seems most) don't give 2 figs about anything that came before Rent.

[wonderwaiter]

Posted: 7/26/10 at 9:26am

Well, *I* just got an exciting email!

[newintown]

Posted: 7/26/10 at 9:28am

And it IS the London Promises - and it's ordered. What would we do without you, Bruce?

[bk]

Posted: 7/26/10 at 9:36am

:)

[mamaleh]

Posted: 7/26/10 at 9:53am

Well, I can't stop listening to BK's improved PP OCR. What a gem--I especially love, love, love the little bits that were left off in '68 and of course Jill O'Hara's take on the title tune.

Thank you, BK, for undertaking the project and doing such a masterful job--and for everything else you do for musical theater enthusiasts.