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

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 1/23/08 at 6:54pm

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.

[jewishboy]

Posted: 1/23/08 at 7:07pm

Follies, OBCR

[SweetQintheLights]

Posted: 1/23/08 at 7:17pm

Avenue Q.

[Patricia3]

Posted: 1/23/08 at 7:35pm

The Color Purple. All of the songs sounded alike.

[bohemianqueen]

Posted: 1/23/08 at 7:35pm

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.

[nobodyhome]

Posted: 1/23/08 at 7:41pm

Oh, I think lots (used as a relative term) of people have fallen in love with Pacific Overtures from listening to the OBCR. I wish it were a bit more complete, but otherwise it's an excellent recording.

In addition to The Golden Apple and Follies, I'd add Allegro.

I loved the original production of Merrily We Roll Along, but I think the recording is not quite all it could have been. The sound is very weird. And I wish that a bit more had been recorded, especially since by that time it was probably clear that it wouldn't be too long before technology would allow more music to be issued on single-disc recordings. If nothing else, at least the overture could have been complete.

Of course, they recorded "It's a Hit!", even though they weren't able to issue it originally (and they may have realized when they recorded it that something would have to be cut). But I wish they'd recorded a bit more for possible future issue. Especially the whole overture, and it wouldn't have taken long to just do another take without cuts.
Updated On: 1/23/08 at 07:41 PM

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 1/23/08 at 7:43pm

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.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 1/23/08 at 8:34pm

Inner City

To fit on 1 LP, about 1/2 of the music was omitted.

Follies is another

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 1/23/08 at 9:27pm

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.

[knicknut]

Posted: 1/23/08 at 9:34pm

Loved Spelling Bee when I saw it. Don't like the cast recording listening to it afterwards. I think it's more because I enjoyed the closing cast more than the original one (although I never saw the original one live.)

[jewishboy]

Posted: 1/23/08 at 9:40pm

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)?

[roseaddams]

Posted: 1/23/08 at 9:41pm

The Producers is also kinda bland and boring on CD.

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 1/23/08 at 10:00pm

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.)

[walkedthroughmany]

Posted: 1/23/08 at 10:01pm

I definitely agree with Spelling Bee.

[Grand Motel]

Posted: 1/24/08 at 10:12am

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.

[folkyboy]

Posted: 1/24/08 at 10:30am

i'm curious, for those who don't like SPELLING BEE on CD, did you see the OBC when you initially whitnessed it live? i find it a GREAT representation of the show that i saw, but i assume this may be due to having seen the whole cast perform it before me.

[uncageg]

Posted: 1/24/08 at 11:07am

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.

[acrocksyo]

Posted: 1/24/08 at 11:20am

I would have to say Curtains. I saw the show and was slightly underwhelmed, but the cast recording is just boring and lifeless. I think I listened to it once all the way through and that was enough.

As for the live recordings, I have to say it depends on what show it is, if it's a show with big huge belty numbers I say record it in a studio and tweak things. But if it's a simple show, with more audience reaction, it should be done live. Spamalot probably would have been better recorded live.

[WickedBoy2]

Posted: 1/24/08 at 11:25am

X A N A D U!
and Dreamgirls.

[BrianIdol]

Posted: 1/24/08 at 11:29am

I never saw the original 42nd St, but that cd is HORRIBLE in my opinion. Bad sound quality and lackluster 'orchestrations'. YUCK.

[Luvinbroadway]

Posted: 1/24/08 at 11:31am

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

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 1/24/08 at 11:31am

Spring Awakening. It's a shame that that album doesn't capture the energy and edge of the music when it's performed live.

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 1/24/08 at 11:40am

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

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 1/24/08 at 11:44am

I just picked up the cast recording of Evita (London 2006 revival) and could not have been more disappointed. One play was enough. It was quite painful to listen to.

[Liverpool]

Posted: 1/24/08 at 11:51am

Yeah the Spring Awakening recording definitely EXCEEDS live show.