Pal Joey Recording

[laura is broadway]

Posted: 11/26/08 at 10:56am

For the record, I searched "Pal Joey Recording" and "Pal Joey CD" and nothing came up, which I found very odd. If I need to be redirected to a previous thread, please let me know how to find it!


I'm going New York to see the show in a few weeks, and I want to become more familiar with the score. Which recording would be best? And also, is there any chance of this production having a cast recording?

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 11/26/08 at 11:05am

Go to Amazon.com and type in "Pal Joey." There's several recordings out there -- '50 studio, '52 revival, 80's London, and Encores! All have their good points.

[laura is broadway]

Posted: 11/26/08 at 11:09am

Thanks- Any particular favorites? So many to chose from... And if there is chance of the revival being recorded, should I hold out for this?

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 11/26/08 at 2:58pm

It's really hard to make a choice. The '50 studio version has Vivienne Segal and one of the best Joeys ever, Harold Lang. The '52 version has the incomparable Elaine Stritch ("Zip") and Helen Gallagher. The London version is good all around and the Encores! has Patti Lupone and Peter Gallagher, who may not have had the dancing chops, but certainly has the vocals down. It's the only version, I believe, that includes "I'm Talking to My Pal," which was cut prior to the original production's (1940) official opening. The only one I would not recommend is the soundtrack of the movie, basically because it isn't really Pal Joey.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 11/26/08 at 3:23pm

I would recomend the Encores! cast recording. Encores! is the one I keep going back to because it's the most complete and because I adore Patti LuPone.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 11/26/08 at 4:26pm

Encores or 1952 would be my suggestions.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 11/26/08 at 5:01pm

I think they should record the revival. If for no other reason then to have the two trunk songs recorded for the first time, but I doubt they will.

[nobodyhome]

Posted: 11/26/08 at 9:05pm

I"d recommend the 1950 recording as the first choice, though the Encores recording has more material. I also like the 1952 recording and the Encores has its points as well. But for the overall best performance, I recommend the 1950.

[raulmark]

Posted: 11/26/08 at 9:34pm

I'm sure they will record this show. There is no current recording of this show with the additional songs, right?
Roundabout is pretty good with these things...

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 11/27/08 at 1:47am

Maybe, but I think with the economy, mixed reviews and the limited run we probably won't get one.

[ljay889]

Posted: 11/27/08 at 1:50am

I like the Encores! recording, Patti LuPone gives a surprisingly light and non-mannered performance.

The 1952 recording is worth it for Elaine Stritch's ZIP.