Sweeney Todd Recordings
Sweeney Todd Recordings
BwayTheatre11
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/25/03
#0Sweeney Todd Recordings
Posted: 12/1/04 at 6:43pmSorry for all of these threads, but I have to get my Christmas list together! I have never heard a lot of Sweeney Todd...and I have heard wonderful things about this show. What would you say is the best recording to get?
SueleenGay
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/9/03
#2re: Sweeney Todd Recordings
Posted: 12/1/04 at 6:46pmThat's a tough, tough call. The performances on the OBCR (it is OBCR, right?) are so brilliant, but the concert recording is MUCH more complete, with great performances too, and a stellar orchestra. Landsbury will always be the definitive Mrs. Lovett. I will say I bought the concert recording immediately when in come out, and haven't listened to the OBCR once since. Again, it's preference. I just prefer the completeness of the new recording.
SueleenGay
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/9/03
#3re: Sweeney Todd Recordings
Posted: 12/1/04 at 6:47pmThat's true, except you have to suffer LaPattie's Lovett.
BwayTheatre11
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/25/03
#4re: Sweeney Todd Recordings
Posted: 12/1/04 at 6:49pmWhich one has the best voices on it?
#5re: Sweeney Todd Recordings
Posted: 12/1/04 at 6:52pm
You know, I didn't like LuPone at first because I was so used to Landsbury. Then, I let it go and tried to just judge LuPone based on what she was doing, not what Landbury did.
Again, overall, I have to go with the Concert. The sound is better, it's a lot more complete (including some hysterical dialogue), and cast wise it's pretty darn good too.
BwayTheatre11
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/25/03
#7re: Sweeney Todd Recordings
Posted: 12/1/04 at 6:56pmYes, that's it. I like the concert version better to be honest although Lansbury IS Ms. Lovett.
#8re: Sweeney Todd Recordings
Posted: 12/1/04 at 7:07pmI have the OBC and it's great, but there's one thing I'd recommend even more. If you feel like having a visual too, the Sweeney dvd is awesome. George Hearn and Angela Lansbury are wonderful together.
MusicMan
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/16/03
#9re: Sweeney Todd Recordings
Posted: 12/1/04 at 7:15pm
The disco single THE BALLAD OF SWEENEY TODD, released on 12" red vinyl in 1979 and replete with grisly sound effects.
Once heard, never forgotten.
#10re: Sweeney Todd Recordings
Posted: 12/1/04 at 8:00pm
Tough decision, and there are numerous reasons to get each.
To be brief, though I'll always love the OBC, and Lansbury will always be Mrs. Lovett, the Concert Revording is better if for no other reason but to hear Sondheim's glorious score played by a full symphonic orchestra.
And Hearn's Todd is better sung than Cariou's.
The opposite of creation isn't war, it's stagnation.
#11re: Sweeney Todd Recordings
Posted: 12/1/04 at 8:05pmI agree about Hearns Sweeney being more well sung but I absolutely love Carious take on the demon barber. I say go for the legendary performance of Angela Lansbury as your deciding factor.
#12re: Sweeney Todd Recordings
Posted: 12/1/04 at 8:07pm
It is really choosing between an A+ recording and an A++ one.
I also feel that the supporting roles are better sung on the Concert Recording.
And Sum, yes, Cariou did act the role better, in my opinion. But no one can match Hearn's magnificent baritone.
The opposite of creation isn't war, it's stagnation.
#13re: Sweeney Todd Recordings
Posted: 12/1/04 at 8:10pm
Totally with you on that one. I admire Hearns versatility, to go from the Demon Barber of Fleet Street to the flamboyant homosexuality of ZaZa! It really is tremendous and the sign of an old pro who knows his way around a character.
However I feel the raw emotion plays out better in Carious version, the more subtle details and nuances of character are more fully understood in his voice.
SueleenGay
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/9/03
#14re: Sweeney Todd Recordings
Posted: 12/1/04 at 8:23pmApples and Oranges, boys. Hey, get them both and make a fruit salad!
BwayTheatre11
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/25/03
#15re: Sweeney Todd Recordings
Posted: 12/1/04 at 8:42pmI have a plan. I will ask for the concert recording for Christmas and buy the other with my Christmas money!
#16re: Sweeney Todd Recordings
Posted: 12/1/04 at 8:43pm
BAM!!! Great idea. 
BwayTheatre11
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/25/03
#17re: Sweeney Todd Recordings
Posted: 12/1/04 at 8:45pmLOL...I am pretty fart smeller! (did I really just say that?)
#18re: Sweeney Todd Recordings
Posted: 12/1/04 at 8:45pmhahaha
#19re: Sweeney Todd Recordings
Posted: 12/1/04 at 8:46pmThat's a good idea. You may be able to find the OBC used for much cheaper than you would the concert version. Check Amazon.com - they have them both. I'm sure there are a probably a ton of used copies available.
#20re: Sweeney Todd Recordings
Posted: 12/1/04 at 10:07pmI like the concert version A BIT better. It really is choosing between an A+ and an A++ recording. I'm a big LuPone fan though. Angela IS THEE Mrs. Lovett, but I just like the way that LuPone sings it. Angela's got the comedic time though that I like better.
BwayTheatre11
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/25/03
#21re: Sweeney Todd Recordings
Posted: 12/1/04 at 10:09pmI sure hope I get this from Mrs. Clause.
#22re: Sweeney Todd Recordings
Posted: 12/1/04 at 10:10pmOBCR is the best, though I'm not a big fan of the man who plays sweeney. Perhaps you might want to invest in the DVD with Angela Landsbury.
#23re: Sweeney Todd Recordings
Posted: 12/1/04 at 10:11pm
Not a fan of Len Cariou?
The opposite of creation isn't war, it's stagnation.
JBSinger
Broadway Star Joined: 11/12/04
#24re: Sweeney Todd Recordings
Posted: 12/2/04 at 1:05pmthough I own both, I think I prefer the Concert with Hearn/LuPone. Though the OBC has Lansbury and a terrifically theatrical sound, the concert is just stunning with a wonderful supporting cast as well. Hearn has always been Sweeney for me and for him to attack that role so brilliantly 20 years later was just astounding to watch night after night. oh, did I mention I was actually IN the chorus for the NYC concerts? :)
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