Rate 2013's Cast Albums/Soundtracks

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 12/27/13 at 5:06pm

Let me know if I forgot any... but this is most of them, I think.

Chaplin (Original Broadway Cast) - HAVEN'T LISTENED YET
The Mystery of Edwin Drood (New Broadway Cast) - 4 out of 5
Bombshell: The New Marilyn Musical from SMASH (Soundtrack) - 5 out of 5
See Rock City and Other Destinations (2012 Off-Broadway Cast) - DON'T OWN
Les Misérables, Deluxe Edition (Soundtrack) - 4 out of 5
Smash: The Complete Season Two (Soundtrack) - DON'T OWN
Giant (Original Off-Broadway Cast) - DON'T OWN
Dogfight (Original Off-Broadway Cast) - 4.5 out of 5
Murder Ballad (2012 Off-Broadway Cast) - DON'T OWN
Kinky Boots (Original Broadway Cast) - 3 out of 5
Cinderella (Original Broadway Cast) - 4.5 out of 5
Ghost Brothers of Darkland County (Studio Cast) - DON'T OWN
Motown: The Musical (Original Broadway Cast) - 4 out of 5
Showgirls! The Musical (Original Cast) - DON'T OWN
Scandalous (Original Broadway Cast) - HAVEN'T LISTENED YET
Annie (New Broadway Cast) - 3.75 out of 5
The Last Smoker in America (2012 Off-Broadway Cast) - DON'T OWN
Passion (2013 Off-Broadway Cast) - DON'T OWN
Closer Than Ever (2012 Off-Broadway Cast) - 4 out of 5
Pippin (New Broadway Cast) - 5 out of 5
50 Shades! The Musical (Original Cast) - DON'T OWN
Hands on a Hardbody (Original Broadway Cast) - HAVEN'T LISTENED YET
The Last 5 Years (2013 Off-Broadway Cast) - 5 out of 5
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Original London Cast) - DON'T OWN
First Date (Original Broadway Cast) - 4 out of 5
Matilda (Original Broadway Cast) - 5 out of 5
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical (Original Broadway Cast) - DON'T OWN
Far From Heaven (Original Cast) - DON'T OWN
Once (Original London Cast) - EP - DON'T OWN
Marry Me a Little (Off-Broadway Cast) - DON'T OWN
Meet John Doe (Studio Cast) - DON'T OWN
Allegiance (Original Cast) - Mini Album - DON'T OWN
Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 (Original Cast) - HAVEN'T LISTENED YET
The Sound of Music, Live! (TV Cast) - 4 out of 5
Frozen (Soundtrack) - 5 out of 5
Stephen Ward (Original London Cast) - DON'T OWN

[broadwayworldreader]

Posted: 12/27/13 at 5:23pm

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?

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 12/27/13 at 5:32pm

What are your thoughts on Giant? The show premiered here in Texas before it moved to New York and I had friends involved in the production. That's the most I've ever really heard about it.

[broadwayworldreader]

Posted: 12/27/13 at 5:46pm

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.

[gleek4114]

Posted: 12/27/13 at 7:45pm

My top five would have to be:

- Scandalous
- Matilda
- Dogfight
- Drood
- First Date

I thought all of them captured the shows extremely well. While Scandalous had it problems I love the score and Carolee's voice is a dream. First Date is really fun to listen to, and the performers were in top form when recording. The Dogfight album really captures the show's heart. You have a blast when listening to Drood! And Matilda because I feel the Broadway version was better than the London version.

[Melissa25]

Posted: 12/28/13 at 10:35am

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

[dreamcoat12]

Posted: 12/28/13 at 1:38pm

Are we rating based on the quality of the recording/what was actually recorded or just what we enjoy listening to the most. Basically review for the masses or personal preference??

[Matt1]

Posted: 12/28/13 at 3:55pm

Favorites are...Matilda and Dog Fight.

[broadwayworldreader]

Posted: 12/29/13 at 4:31pm

@dreamcoat, either I suppose. Let's hear 'em. :)

[once a month]

Posted: 12/29/13 at 4:58pm

My faves are:

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

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 12/29/13 at 5:17pm

Of those listed my number one would be Dogfight. For me, it's hands down the best cast album of 2013 and the best score of 2012. Stephen Ward is number 5. I find the subject and the show fascinating, but the score isn't Webber's best. I still like it though and it makes the list by a hair over Natasha which I guess I just need to see because I don't "get it" as a cast album.

1. Dogfight
2. See Rock City and Other Destinations
3. Hands on a Hardbody
4. Mary Me a Little
5. Stephen Ward

With honorable mention to Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812, Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and How the Grinch Stole Christmas -- each of which I thoroughly enjoyed. The Sound of Music soundtrack is surprisingly well put together as well. It's so well sung it's almost more enjoyable without the acting scenes.

Pippin would have made the list if it weren't for the fade out tracks and I would have enjoyed Drood more if they had recorded a bit more dialogue. I also enjoyed Scandalous and Chaplin, but each recording had moments missing from the score which I found too unforgivable to make the list. Scandalous didn't even record their finale. What cast album leaves off the finale?

[dreamcoat12]

Posted: 12/30/13 at 12:12am

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

[DEClarke]

Posted: 12/30/13 at 10:29am

Here is my TOP 10 (not all are cast recordings though)
The Top 10 Theater-Related Recordings of 2013

[MaddieBB12]

Posted: 12/30/13 at 10:44am

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

[Wilmingtom]

Posted: 12/30/13 at 5:26pm

Cinderella is a beautifully produced recording.

[homeimp]

Posted: 12/30/13 at 5:59pm

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.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 12/30/13 at 6:08pm

I think Pippin is a glorious recording, and I like Drood very much.
!
Thanks for the release list as it reminded me of a few albums I meant to get but never got around to: Dogfight and Giant

[OperaBwayLover]

Posted: 12/30/13 at 9:50pm

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.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 12/30/13 at 10:07pm

My top six!

6. Far From Heaven - Everyone sounds fantastic.
5. Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 - Just hauntingly beautiful.
4. Kinky Boots - All around fun.
3. Smash:The Complete Season Two Recording - A wide range of great, original material.
2. Murder Ballad - Rebecca Naomi Jone's voice is just beyond, love the rock score.
1. Pippin - Perfect in every way.

[jasonf]

Posted: 12/30/13 at 10:17pm

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