Show most poorly represented by the cast recording... — Page 2

I actually liked SPRING AWAKENING as a CD, but loathe and despise the show. (it's a long personal story)

MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG come off better on CD than it does live...at least the original cast did.

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Avenue Q.

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Well here is an example of both:

The OLC of 'The Woman in White' - it's dreadful, doesn't do the show any justice, Maria Freidman cracks in certain places and it was recorded live which I think hindered it somewhat.

The OBC of 'Spamalot' - I know this was recorded before the show opened - but it should have been recorded live! Without the audience laughter in a lot of spots I find it very flat. I worked on the show for 6 months and we also used to play the CD in the Foyer during Intermission/Post Show and the difference was huge. It's also a shame it was recorded so early as a few of the gags changed or different things were added in some of the songs ie in the 'Camelot' number when the guys sing 'Spam, spam, spam, spam' it's not recorded and it's just a big blank bit. So I definately think it should have been recorded live.

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The Sweeney Todd revival. Maybe because the show was so visual, but it did not come across well on disc.

The OBCR of Follies. That one is just a shame.

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It is rare that a live recording that works. FOLLIES IN CONCERT is one but it was historically important as the first (nearly) complete recording of the show. The live concert of DREAMGIRLS helped fill in the gaps of the OC album of highlights.

Generally what works well "live" doesn't work well for listening at home. Several ALW shows were recorded live and the albums are flat and lifeless. (Then again, it's ALW so the shows are flat and lifeless too.)

You really need the controlled atmosphere of the studio plus a producer who knows how to adapt the piece for records - Thomas Sheppard made a ton of changes fro SUNDAY IN THE PARK and it was a fantastic album, but quite different from the show.

There is a balance to be struck: Fans of the show want the album to sound like a document of what they saw, but others who never saw the show need to be able to understand just from listening to the recording what made the show so electric on stage.

Count me amongst those who feel the RENT cast album could have been better. SPRING AWAKENING also, though I think with SPRING its more a question of the performance style. I don't mind the HAIRSPRAY cast album but agree the film soundtrack has a lot more to recommend it.

THE LIFE and SIDE SHOW (both on Sony) were also poorly produced.

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frontrowcentre2, I'm just wondering how you think the Rent OBC could have been better (do you mean the performers were not in the best shape)?

RE: RENT

No, the performances are just fine. But somehow the essence of the show is missing. Whoever produced it simply has the cast perform without trying to communicate through their voices what is convey by voice AND appearance on stage. It is a talent that producers Goddard Lieberson and Tom Shepherd had, while others not so much. And a show as complex as Rent needed a better album producer. (I want to add that while I find it ok to listen to, I just think it could have been a lot better.)

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RENT. It sounded bad all around, the performers sounded tired and the quality was really lacking. I'm also going to agree with the poster that likes SA better on CD than live.

I didn't want to see Altar Boyz based on the cast recording. I stayed away from the show for a year but decided to see it and loved it. I still won't buy the recording though.

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X A N A D U!
and Dreamgirls.

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Song and Dance, Gypsy (Tyne), Xanadu, The Apple Tree

I have to disagree about the Rent CD, it's a fantastic cast recording and captures the energy brilliantly

Unlike

Xanadu, which is flat as a pancake

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Yeah the Spring Awakening recording definitely EXCEEDS live show.