Rate 2013's Cast Albums/Soundtracks

This is interesting. Not to hijack the thread, but I might be interested to hear what people's top 5 recordings of the year are. I myself have heard several of these and think Giant, Dogfight, and Pippin (particularly the first 2) are unbelievable...thoughts?

I would say Giant is probably his most commercial score. It has this gorgeous sweeping movie score feel about it. Certainly worth the purchase, but I don't know that you would wanna take my advice. I would've rated some of the shows you gave 4s and 5s to much more harshly.

I would give Passion (2013 Off-Broadway Cast) 5 out of 5.
Judy Kuhn, Ryan Silverman and Rebecca Luker sound superb.

Favorites are...Matilda and Dog Fight.

My faves are:

Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet
Pippin
Mystery of Edwin Drood
Matilda
Kinky Boots

Of the cast albums/soundtracks that I have listened to, this is what I have to say:
1. Mystery of Edwin Drood - this was my favorite production that I saw in 2013, so naturally I've been obsessed with the cast recording. The score is fantastic and as a musician/playwright I'm impressed that Holmes wrote the entire show AND orchestrated it! I'm also glad they put all the confessions on the disc unlike the original cast album. I do wish they included more of the Datchery reveals however.
2. Smash - such great music! I was a fan of the show for the most part, and being a fan of "classic style musicals" I loved everything about Bombshell. I'm glad they released an album with the entire show on it. The songs are great AND it features both McPhee and Hilty as Marilyn (which could be good or bad). The only number I wish was Hilty is Don't Forget Me and therefore purchased her version off iTunes.
3. Pippin - a great recording of a spectacular revival. I can't really comment on the album because I feel most of the love of this piece is the view for me. The score is wonderful and the new orchestrations are super but the highlight of this production was the staging. Listening to this cast album over the original wouldn't make a difference to me.

I tried to do this "for the masses" but I didn't actually listen to as many recordings as I thought I did! haha

My Top Ten (in order)
1. Rodgers and Hammerstien's Cinderella
2. Frozen
3. Pippin (New Broadway Cast Recording)
4. Dogfight
5. Les Miserables (Deluxe Edition)
6. Matilda (Broadway Cast Album)
7. The Mystery of Edwin Drood (New Broadway Cast Recording)
8. Scandalous
9. The Sound of Music Live!
10. Kinky Boots

I would have to have Cinderella on my list for the gorgeous singing and instrumentation. I would take Pippin, even if just for the majestic Morning Glow and the reminder of the starkly beautiful conclusion. Even with lyrics in hand it's not always easy to decipher Matilda's songs. I would skip Matilda's lengthy story if I could, but I have a rule about skipping tracks. Kinky Boots has a beat, if that'ws what you're looking for. Looking forward to Dogfight, Giant and Carrie.

I only own three of these-Pippin, Bombshell, and Frozen- so I can't really say much, but I listened to Pippin again last night and it's just so amazing as a pure listening experience. Plus the fact that a lot of you are in it is pretty cool too.

I get most cast albums - so here's my rankings from the original post rankings are out of five stars:

Chaplin (Original Broadway Cast) -2
The Mystery of Edwin Drood (New Broadway Cast) - 4
Bombshell: The New Marilyn Musical from SMASH (Soundtrack) - 5
See Rock City and Other Destinations (2012 Off-Broadway Cast) - Don't have this one
Les Misérables, Deluxe Edition (Soundtrack) - 4
Smash: The Complete Season Two (Soundtrack) - 4
Giant (Original Off-Broadway Cast) - 5 (BEAUTIFUL score)
Dogfight (Original Off-Broadway Cast) - 4
Murder Ballad (2012 Off-Broadway Cast) - 3
Kinky Boots (Original Broadway Cast) - 2 (not really a fan)
Cinderella (Original Broadway Cast) - 4
Ghost Brothers of Darkland County (Studio Cast) - 2 (not my type of thing)
Motown: The Musical (Original Broadway Cast) - 2
Showgirls! The Musical (Original Cast) - 1
Scandalous (Original Broadway Cast) - 2
Annie (New Broadway Cast) - 3
The Last Smoker in America (2012 Off-Broadway Cast) - 3
Passion (2013 Off-Broadway Cast) - 4
Closer Than Ever (2012 Off-Broadway Cast) - Haven't listened to it yet
Pippin (New Broadway Cast) - 5
50 Shades! The Musical (Original Cast) - 1
Hands on a Hardbody (Original Broadway Cast) - 2
The Last 5 Years (2013 Off-Broadway Cast) - 4
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Original London Cast) - 3
First Date (Original Broadway Cast) - 3
Matilda (Original Broadway Cast) - 4 (I actually like the London one better)
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical (Original Broadway Cast) - 2
Far From Heaven (Original Cast) - 4
Once (Original London Cast) - EP - DON'T OWN
Marry Me a Little (Off-Broadway Cast) - 5
Meet John Doe (Studio Cast) - 4
Allegiance (Original Cast) - Mini Album - DON'T OWN
Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 (Original Cast) - 3
The Sound of Music, Live! (TV Cast) - 4
Frozen (Soundtrack) - 5
Stephen Ward (Original London Cast) - 4

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