Questions re: Recordings:)

Hey Kids! I was doing some late night Cast Recording shopping for Xmas last night, and there were a few interesting items that I'd love some expert opinions on (and honestly, I know this board is FULL of experts who are very opinionated!)

1. "It's a bird, its a plane, its Superman" - Is this musical any good? Is the recording worth it? I've never heard of the show before.

2. There are two Hedwig recordings...which Im assuming are the state version and the film version. Are they both John Cameron Mitchell? And which one is better?

3. "The Thing about Men" - I was so exicted to see Kudisch on another recording, but how is the music to this show. I really haven't heard much about it.

4. The Colm Wilkinson/Rebecca Caine Phantom of the Opera Highlights - Im a PhantomPhan, and I have the OLC and the movie version, is the Colm version really good, really bad, really different, or any thoughts? :)

5. Is is the Complete Symphonic Les Mis that has Anthony Warlow as Enjorlas?

Thanks guys! :)

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Updated On: 11/28/04 at 01:13 PM

4. Colm is a boob. Ick.

5. Yes, the amazing Anthony Warlow is Enjolras on the Complete Symphonic.

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The Canadian cast recording of Phantom is really worth it.

Then again, I hate Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman.

"It's a Bird It's a Plane..." has some great highlights...Linda Lavin is stellar in "Possibilities" and "Oooh Do You Love you." I also love "Superman" and "What I've always Wanted". Both very beautiful and a little haunting. The rest of the score is campy and/or a little dull, but worth it for the gems. I would try to get it used, but again, completely worth having.

The Canadian POTO is SO NOT worth it! Wilkinson is HORRIBLE as the Phantom - he makes Butler look like a genious! With Wilkinson, it was as if Jean Valjean was moonlighting as the Phantom. Terrible, Terrible, Terrible. It is expensive. Don't waste your money.

For Hedwig - get the cast recording, it's much better than the film soundtrack!

As far as Les Miz goes, the biggest liability on the Complete Symphonic Recording is Eponine. She's not bad, but compared to Frances, the performance is blah. Other than that though, it is FANTASTIC and is the only Les Miz I listen to, because the completeness makes up for it's weakness (Eponine). Gary Morris is also wonderful as Valjean - I like him better than Colm. Although, the OLC and OBC of Les Miz are both great, and I do love Colm in the role, just not as the Phantom.

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Updated On: 11/30/04 at 11:04 AM

2.) The movie soundtrack of HEDWIG is perfection. Highly recommended.

I disagree. I have both and the cast recording is much better. The raw energy of the cast recording is much more appropriate to the story than the polished movie soundtrack. Both are good, but if you have to have one, you must get the cast recording.

4.) Wasn't too impressed with Colm. I kept thinking Valjean was hiding from the police by posing as the Phantom.

Hahaha...my thoughts exactly. Colm has a wonderful voice, but his Phantom lacked the power required and was not convincing in the least.

5.)Get the Anniversary Dream cast cd and then follow it up with Anthony Warlow's (VOCAL GOD) two musical solo recordings, "Centre Stage" and "On the Boards" (Perfection at it's highest)

Disagree. While I think the Dream Cast has the best cast, overall, the CSR has a much better orchestra, the sound is better, and it's complete. You miss out on so much great music on any other recordings. It's just not worth it to get anything other than the CSR!

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I have a minor problem with Gary Morris as Valjean - he's not fantastic.

Also, I think the fact that the recording took place in about 4 different countries shows - the cast don't seem to gel quite as much.

I think Michael Maguire is the best Enjy I've ever seen live. However, Anthony Warlow has the better voice.

All this Warlow love. I LOVE IT!!!

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I love The Thing About Men, a few tracks have been on this sites Radio. Just request a few and listen out. Or take a listen to the amazon.com samples, always helps me decide :)

(ooo my first post)

-The Thing About Men
Magic, it's been a while since I saw the show so my memory may be a bit off.

I remembered enjoying the show for Marc's performance, but I wasn't inspired to buy the music when it came out, so I must not have been overly drawn into it.

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