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

[Kitzarina]

Posted: 11/17/06 at 9:26am

For me Barry James is the only recorded Thenardier that is both funny and terrifying. All the others are so goofy that you don't feel remotely threatened during "Attack on Rue Plumet" or "Dog Eats Dog." That cackle at the end...*shivers*

[Mother's Younger Brother]

Posted: 11/17/06 at 11:33am

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.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 11/17/06 at 11:49am

Not to mention his accent and gravely voice which works so well for the part.

Actually, my favorite Thenardier is on the Paris recording- his Dog Eats Dog is pretty fantastic. I also like the Israeli and MAdrid Thenardiers. But Barry takes the English cake.

[Mother's Younger Brother]

Posted: 11/17/06 at 11:51am

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

[Kitzarina]

Posted: 11/17/06 at 11:58am

When I saw the show in London I kept thinking to myself, "This is how this show should be sung. The chorus needs to have British accents. It just WORKS."

Strange, I know.

BTW--I'm desperately seeking the 1991 Paris cast, but am tragically low on funds at the moment. The best deal I've seen on it is if you buy it from the French version of Amazon.com. Plus I remember Cameron Mackintosh mentioning the Israli Thenardier on the Stage by Stage video, but saying that he didn't translate well to English.

[StarStruckGB]

Posted: 11/17/06 at 12:04pm

To Colle & everybody else I suposse:

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

[Kitzarina]

Posted: 11/17/06 at 12:06pm

If one came out, I would certainly buy it. I have to keep my collection current, of course.

However, I'm not holding my breath. The reviews weren't fantastic, it's a 6 month engagement, and ticket sales aren't through the roof like they would need to be for an extension.

Plus you have 4 stellar English recordings already. There just isn't a need or cause for a new one.

[Mother's Younger Brother]

Posted: 11/17/06 at 12:09pm

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.

[Kitzarina]

Posted: 11/17/06 at 12:15pm

Ok, you do have a point. I think the reason I don't compain about the CSR is that I've listened to it so many times that I had to go out and buy a new copy. It's like comfort food--it isn't perfect, but everyone in it is like family. There are no surprises to the ear.

If I could take Ruthie Henshall, Judy Kuhn, and Lea Salonga from the TAC and Colm Wilkinson from the OLC and put them in the CSR it would be the perfect recording.

Another reason to record the revival--it'd be nice to have a recording that contains the show as it stands today with changed lyrics and cut/added verses.

[Mother's Younger Brother]

Posted: 11/17/06 at 12:17pm

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.

[Kitzarina]

Posted: 11/17/06 at 12:20pm

Deborah is tolerable. My biggest problem with Kaho is not her voice, which is fine. It's just frustrating to have someone singing words she doesn't understand; makes the emotional side of her performance go all over the place.

I LOVE Linzi on the Stage by Stage; just beautiful.

My biggest complaint is probably Tracy Shayne, but I don't really like many Cosettes. And from what I've heard of Ali, I don't care for her voice much either. I'd love to hear Marina Prior sing the role, even if she is much too old these days.

[Mother's Younger Brother]

Posted: 11/17/06 at 12:22pm

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.

[Kitzarina]

Posted: 11/17/06 at 12:26pm

The Japanese recordings are also high on my wish list; I just don't have the money right now.

I know my mom would get a HUGE kick out of hearing Chariman Kaga. She was ironing shirts while watching the TAC one day and almost burned herself when she realized who the Japanese Valjean was.

[StarStruckGB]

Posted: 11/17/06 at 12:34pm

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.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 11/17/06 at 1:18pm

So there are a bunch of reason there should be a revival album
Except for the part called "we'll make money."

through a soundtrack.
A what?

[Colle]

Posted: 11/23/06 at 10:44am

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

[MovieGuy1031]

Posted: 11/23/06 at 2:15pm

Someone start the petition! Hahaha I asked Celia at the stage door if they were planning on recording, and she said that she doesn't think so. Then i said "Well can we like... start a petition or something?!!?" and she laughed and said "You guys can do whatever you want!"

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 12/27/06 at 9:01pm

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.

[StarStruckGB]

Posted: 12/27/06 at 10:54pm

Go for the 10th Ann., or the CSR.

Because although it's being extended until at least the end of summer, it doesn't look like we'll be getting our revival recording any time soon =(

But the OLCR is a popular choice too.

[MovieGuy1031]

Posted: 12/28/06 at 4:03pm

Agreed, go with the 10th Anniversary...

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

[ashbash1990]

Posted: 12/28/06 at 4:10pm

The original Londaon cast... the Cast, overall is much stronger, and there are a few numbers that were cut/altered from the broadway and future recordings...

[Brokenlizard14]

Posted: 12/28/06 at 5:18pm

Is the revival cast going to do a recording?

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 12/28/06 at 5:19pm

I don't think anyone who knows for sure is talking.

[[e-mail]]

Posted: 12/28/06 at 7:15pm

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!

[Brokenlizard14]

Posted: 12/28/06 at 9:15pm

idk. I have the OBC, and I absolutely love it, but I'd still like to see a revival cast recording. I adore Alex Gemignani, and Norm Lewis' stars gave me chills. But that's just me.