Pacific Overtures - Which Recording?

[Roger246]

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.

[mshetina]

Posted: 4/12/10 at 3:48pm

The 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.

[B3TA07]

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.

[tazber]

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.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 4/12/10 at 3:57pm

Original, no question.

[Roger246]

Posted: 4/12/10 at 3:59pm

Thanks everyone! I will get the original.

[JBSinger]

Posted: 4/12/10 at 4:16pm

OBC is best
National Opera recording, 2nd (very complete)
Revival, 3rd

[jv92]

Posted: 4/12/10 at 8:09pm

Oh, the original. The orchestrations are just marvelous.

[ljay889]

Posted: 4/12/10 at 8:10pm

I 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.

[walkedthroughmany]

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.

[binau]

Posted: 4/12/10 at 9:13pm

Crystal clear or manufactured and strralised :p?

There is a fine, fine line.

[ljay889]

Posted: 4/12/10 at 9:23pm

It sounds like all of the PS Classics/Nonesuch albums of the Sondheim revivals. I guess you think those all sound manufactured too...?

[Hest882]

Posted: 4/13/10 at 12:56am

OBC 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.

[Kad]

Posted: 4/13/10 at 1:06am

The 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.

[HeyMrMusic]

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

[Theatreboy49]

Posted: 4/13/10 at 2:48am

While I think the OBC is better, I do think NEXT is far better on the revival recording.

[pinoyonbroadway]

Posted: 4/13/10 at 3:27am

I 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.

[binau]

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!

Updated On: 4/14/10 at 05:50 AM

[Unknown User]

Posted: 4/20/10 at 6:56am

yeah 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.

[Pianist3912]

Posted: 4/20/10 at 8:28am

I agree with everyone else. The revival recording really butcher's the great orchestrations of the original.