Questions re: Recordings:)

[MagicToDo82]

Posted: 11/28/04 at 1:13pm

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! :)

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

[GovernorSlaton]

Posted: 11/28/04 at 1:23pm

Hedwigs -- I've never heard the stage version, but the screen version is great. I think the soundtrack is a little more polished, and there are a few different songs, but there can't be much of a difference between the two. And yes, they are both JCM. Updated On: 11/28/04 at 01:23 PM

[MyNameInLights]

Posted: 11/28/04 at 1:32pm

4. Colm is a boob. Ick.

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

[MagicToDo82]

Posted: 11/28/04 at 1:33pm

Nameinlights, I love your pic:)!!

[Musetta1957]

Posted: 11/29/04 at 9:48pm

The Canadian cast recording of Phantom is really worth it.

Then again, I hate Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman.

[paradox_error]

Posted: 11/30/04 at 5:32am

Anthony Warlow belongs to my country!!!
muhahahahaha

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 11/30/04 at 10:42am

"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.

[morosco]

Posted: 11/30/04 at 10:59am

Anthony Warlow has the most magnificent voice!

[Loge]

Posted: 11/30/04 at 11:04am

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.

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

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 11/30/04 at 11:24am

I wrote something on here yesterday, but for some reason it is not here, so I will do it again.

1.) Never heard it, but sounds interesting though.

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

3.)Never heard it

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

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)

[Loge]

Posted: 11/30/04 at 2:24pm

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!

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 11/30/04 at 2:28pm

"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."

I haven't heard the cast recording so the movie soundtrack is the only one I can honestly go on, here. But, the songs are great no matter which form of it you get.

"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!"

Something about the CSR, I just don't like I can't really put my finger on it. But, Warlow is excellent as always and anything with him on it is worth getting.

[InTheMoney]

Posted: 11/30/04 at 2:34pm

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.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 11/30/04 at 2:42pm

Superman - I love this recording! The song "You've Got Possibilities" sung by Linda Lavin is worth the money alone. The whole thing is cheesy, silly and fun.

Hedwig - I much prefer the polished movie soundtrack. Yes, they both feature John Cameron Mitchell, but the cast recording is a little too raw for my tastes. It sounds like it was recorded in a garage and the lyrics are often difficult to understand.

The Thing About Men - I enjoyed I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change, but I have yet to get all the way through Men. It's rather unintersting, dull, and completely forgettable.

Phantom of the Opera - The Canadian recording is by far the best recording in my opinion. Colm's Phantom has a much more harrowing quality than the warm-fuzzy feel-good performance Crawford delivers. And Caine's Christine sounds quite rich and pretty, unlike Brightman's shrill sound with machine-gun vibrato.

Les Miserables - Yes. The 10th Anniversary Dream Cast does not feature Anothony Warlow.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 11/30/04 at 2:45pm

All this Warlow love. I LOVE IT!!!

[Loge]

Posted: 11/30/04 at 4:30pm

I suggest you go to amazon.com and listen to clips from the Canadian cast recording. I will say, on all levels, except for the Phantom (and it's a BIG except) the Canadian cast is better. The Phantom, however, is the most essential role in the work, and Wilkinson just doesn't cut it.

[Jwaa]

Posted: 11/30/04 at 4:47pm

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)

[jczelyph]

Posted: 11/30/04 at 6:01pm

I totally agree with Mister Matt on The Thing About Men. It'll do as background music but it's hardly something I listen to often. I wouldn't bother buying it to be honest.

[Chrysanthemum62001]

Posted: 11/30/04 at 6:07pm

-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.