Pacific Overtures - Which Recording?
Pacific Overtures - Which Recording?
Featured Actor Joined: 3/4/06
Pacific Overtures - Which Recording?#1
Posted: 4/12/10 at 3:38pm
I was wondering which version of Pacific Overtures should I purchase. The Original 1979 or the 2004 Revival?
Thanks in advance.
Pacific Overtures - Which Recording?#2
Posted: 4/12/10 at 3:48pmThe original is a lot better than the revival. The orchestrations are lush and "Someone in a Tree" is one of the greatest tracks on any cast album. I have to admit, I prefer the revival recording's "Next," though. Both are worthwhile, but start with the '76 recording. I haven't heard the '87 London recording yet, so maybe someone who has can clue you in on that one.
Pacific Overtures - Which Recording?#2
Posted: 4/12/10 at 3:49pm
The original. The vocalists in the revival are serviceable, but the new orchestrations make me vomit.
And you can't beat the brilliance of "Someone in a Tree" on the original recording.
--http://www.benjaminadgate.com/
Pacific Overtures - Which Recording?#3
Posted: 4/12/10 at 3:53pm
The OBC is the best by a country mile. The other 2 I've heard are just flat out awful.
Pacific Overtures - Which Recording?#4
Posted: 4/12/10 at 3:57pmOriginal, no question.
Featured Actor Joined: 3/4/06
Pacific Overtures - Which Recording?#5
Posted: 4/12/10 at 3:59pmThanks everyone! I will get the original.
Pacific Overtures - Which Recording?#6
Posted: 4/12/10 at 4:16pm
OBC is best
National Opera recording, 2nd (very complete)
Revival, 3rd
Pacific Overtures - Which Recording?#7
Posted: 4/12/10 at 8:09pmOh, the original. The orchestrations are just marvelous.
Pacific Overtures - Which Recording?#8
Posted: 4/12/10 at 8:10pmI love the crystal clear sound of the revival recording. I don't believe the original has ever been remastered, so it just doesn't sound very good.
Leading Actor Joined: 3/25/07
Pacific Overtures - Which Recording?#9
Posted: 4/12/10 at 9:11pm
OBC is best
National Opera recording, 2nd (very complete)
Revival, 3rd
Agreed, JBSinger.
And I much prefer the OBC version of "Next" -- at about 1:22, I think it's one of the most thrilling moments on any cast recording out there.
Pacific Overtures - Which Recording?#10
Posted: 4/12/10 at 9:13pm
Crystal clear or manufactured and strralised :p?
There is a fine, fine line.
Pacific Overtures - Which Recording?#11
Posted: 4/12/10 at 9:23pmIt sounds like all of the PS Classics/Nonesuch albums of the Sondheim revivals. I guess you think those all sound manufactured too...?
Pacific Overtures - Which Recording?#12
Posted: 4/13/10 at 12:56amOBC however...I have a certain fondness for much of the revival, mainly because of the extra dialogue. My favorite Pacific Overtures song, for instance, is A Bowler Hat, and the extra dialogue in the song really gives it an extra emotional punch for me.
Pacific Overtures - Which Recording?#13
Posted: 4/13/10 at 1:06amThe revival recording is one of the few cast recordings I am disappointed to have bought. I find very little of it to be worthwhile. The original just can't be touched in terms of performances or orchestrations.
Pacific Overtures - Which Recording?#14
Posted: 4/13/10 at 1:12am
The original recording is superior by far. Better performances, and of course the orchestrations! I don't understand why they had to settle for synthesized [insert Japanese instrument(s) that I'm blanking on] for the revival recording... surely they could have hired someone to play the real thing to make it sound less cheesy? The original recording is literally breathtaking at times.
~Steven
Pacific Overtures - Which Recording?#15
Posted: 4/13/10 at 2:48amWhile I think the OBC is better, I do think NEXT is far better on the revival recording.
"I am sorry but it is an unjust world and virtue is only triumphant in theatricle performances" The Mikado
Pacific Overtures - Which Recording?#16
Posted: 4/13/10 at 3:27amI have to agree with JBSinger as well. The OBC is the superior recording. I also have a fondness of the ENO recording, mainly because of it's completeness and I really like the orchestrations, though the cast is hit and miss with me. However the full recording is a little harder to find. Usually you can only find the highlights version. I'm not that big of a fan of the revival recording, but I agree with Theatreboy49. I do like the execution of Next in the revival recording.
Pacific Overtures - Which Recording?#17
Posted: 4/14/10 at 5:50am
"It sounds like all of the PS Classics/Nonesuch albums of the Sondheim revivals. I guess you think those all sound manufactured too...?"
I have a double standard and enjoy Road Show, Company, Sweeney. There is something about the PO and Sunday albums that I find a little unnatural (but I do enjoy the performances on the Sunday one anyway).
There are many ways I could explain it though (e.g. I make comparisons to past albums, I tolerate the orchestrations of the first albums because they are part of the 'concepts', I'm bias because of the performances etc..) so I don't know :P.
Still (excitidly) waiting to listen to the Night Music cast recording though!
Joined: 12/31/69
Pacific Overtures - Which Recording?#18
Posted: 4/20/10 at 6:56amyeah annnoyingly the PO recording is the only classic Sondheim one that hasn't been properly remastered--andere aresome cuts made to fit what would have been one vinyl record (no Lion Dance, no second verse to Kanagawa, etc), but it's still the one to get--essential.
Pacific Overtures - Which Recording?#19
Posted: 4/20/10 at 8:28amI agree with everyone else. The revival recording really butcher's the great orchestrations of the original.
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