Question about Les Miserables Cast Recordings... — Page 4

I have to agree about Barry James. He's my favorite recorded Thenardier (Norman Large being my favorite live). But, like previous posters, Barry let me down a bit this past May in London. He was at least as good as many other Thedardiers I've seen, but not the same Barry James I knew from the recording.

Exactly! There's something about his Cockney accent that makes me miss it when I see/hear American Thendardiers.

To Colle & everybody else I suposse:

Who would actually be interested in seriously trying to work up demand for a revival cast recording?

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I have to disagree...I don't think there's any completely satisfying English recording of the show. Although I prefer the CSR, I have my personal issues with all of them. Of course, if we do get a revival recording, I have a feeling that Daphne may prove to be the newest "issue."

My favorite overall recording is the 1991 Paris cast.

Yes, I'd love an "updated" recording.

But my biggest complaint about the CSR is Kaho, and to some degree, Deborah Byrne (whom I love otherwise). I'd swap them for Linzi Hately (or Sutton Foster) and Ruthie Henshall. Otherwise, I think the men on the CSR are all good.

I couldn't agree more! I could get past her accent, but it's her tone and emotional phrasing that bother me. Although I must admit, I'm not crazy about her voice in general either. I have both of her Japanese recordings of the show, and she has the same scooping, nasal sound there, even in her native language.

So there are a bunch of reason there should be a revival album,
Not only for the performers, but yeah the new orchestration was excellent, and all the things they chaged deserve to be showcased at least through a soundtrack.

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If someone starts a petition for a revival cast recording, I would sign it.

Apologies for bumping, but I tried running a search and this was the most recent thread that came up---any updates on whether a new revival recording will be made? I just saw the show this weekend and my friend (a newbie Broadway fan) wanted this recording for Christmas so I don't know whether I should wait for a revival recording that may not happen, or just get her the OLC or 10th Anniversary CDs instead.

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Agreed, go with the 10th Anniversary...

But Why... WHY can't we get a revival recording?!?! Oh it would be maginificent!

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Is the revival cast going to do a recording?

I don't think we need the "revival" cast recording, is it different enough to merit a revival CD? Maybe just an exclusive iTunes recording of "Drink With Me" or something like that...

Onto the recordings...
Personally, I think the Original London Cast is the strongest, it has a stellar cast, some truly divine orchestrations that I wish would have been kept in subsequent revisions and so on.

Apart from Judy Kuhn, the Brodway Cast Recording has nothing to legitimately add to the Les Miserables Tradition. Out of all of the recordings, this one makes me hate the show the most.

Complete Symphonic is well, complete, and is very useful if you are performing the show, however if you like the tunes, and just want to listen to them I would recommend the

10th Aniversary Dreamcast Recording, as it has the strongest performers and keeps more music than any of the other "incomplete" recordings. Unfortunately, it's a live performance and no applause has been edited out, so that's a huge minus.

Best of luck with your buying!