Sweet Charity - I'm still thinking about why I prefer the New Broadway Cast Album to any other version.

[JohnBoy2]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 12:12am

I didn't see this most recent revival, but it is, for me, the most enjoyable cast album of the show, including the film. I'm not such a fan of the piece, which is why I skipped it. To me, it has always been a better score than book. Anyone else prefer this latest edition of it?

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 12:19am

It's my favorite as well. I prefer the jazzier orchestrations. Whatever horn instrument that is used in the original orchestrations in the opening cords of "Big Spender" has always bothered me. My only complaint is that there was still some space left on the disc and it would have been nice if they had recorded all of "Rich Man's Frug", the act one finale and maybe some more dialogue.

[JohnBoy2]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 12:24am

Also, Applegate is the equal or better, vocally, of any other Charity, and the Niki and Helene are better vocally, than any other. Their Baby Dream Your Dream is the best I ever heard.

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 12:25am

I also love the most recent Revival recording.

Christina Applegate makes it completely worthwhile.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 12:26am

Huh? Christina Applegate isn't half bad but no cast recording of CHARITY could match the original with the brilliant Gwen Verdon at the top of her game (her Charity is cute, adorable, tough-as-a-cookie, joyous, and vulnerable all at the same time), an excellent supporting cast headed by the likes of Tony-winner Hellen Gallagher, and pitch-perfect orchestrations. It is THE best recording of the show. Even the '86 revival with a cute Debbie Allen as Charity and Tony-winning performances from Michael Rupert and Bebe Neuwirth beats the '05 revival. The only saving graces of that recording are Applegate and the always-brilliant Dennis O'Hare. What I do like about the recording is the fact they included my favorite song from the score: "Charity's Soliloquy."

[BigFatBlonde]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 12:30am

Strangely enough my favorite is the film Soundtrack.

But you can't beat Michael Rupert singing the title song in the 80's revival.

Worst recording:

The complete two-disc recording issued by Jay. It will put you to sleep faster than ambien.

[jewishboy]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 12:32am

"the Niki and Helene are better vocally, than any other."

WTF? Maybe, MAYBE, they are technically better (I really couldn't care), but they add nothing to their songs. No spark, no life, no drama, NOTHING. I don't know how you can compare, particularly, Janine LaManna's performance as Nicki with stars such as Hellen Gallagher, Bebe Nuewirth and Chita F***in Rivera!
Updated On: 5/8/08 at 12:32 AM

[jewishboy]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 12:33am

My fav is the film also, except for the fact it is missing some of the best songs.

[JohnBoy2]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 12:39am

I'm speaking from a sheer listening experience. It's my favorite. Why get so upset over it? I'm not saying it has to your favorite, too.
Updated On: 5/8/08 at 12:39 AM

[mallardo]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 3:07am

It's my fave too - because of Christina. I totally fell in love with her in this performance.

[Urban]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 9:28am

I have always found the Debbie Allen CR to be strangly the most repeatable for me. I can always play that one for some reason.

[Brave Sir Robin2]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 10:12am

I love the revival recording, especially THERE'S GOTTA BE SOMETHING BETTER THAN THIS.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 10:13am

The London cast recording with Juliet Prowse is great and she sings it well.

[philcrosby]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 10:21am

Verdon and the OBC. No question. Hands down.

[Brick]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 12:46pm

How can you even listen to the truncated orchestrations?!

I agree Applegate and O'Hare are wonderful on it, but I can't even get through it. If I want a break from the OBC, I really enjoy the '86 revival. Debbie Allen's vocals are really fun and I love some of the new arrangements.

[JohnBoy2]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 2:19pm

Yes, I did have to get past the orchestrations. In fact, that's what got me revisiting the other albums. When I first listened, I was thinking, what is this, a keyboard? But, when all was said and done, I really didn't find the various other recordings' orchestrations all that great, either, and I just kept coming back to the vocals, which I really like on the new recording. I now wish I had made the effort to see it.

[ljay889]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 2:22pm

The CD isn't bad. Christina is pitchy in some spots, which is stupid because it could have been fixed in the studio. But she was very charming live. The production had a A LOT of drama though. As we all know.

I liked it. Some HATED it. The critics were mixed on it.

The choreography was the biggest problem. The updated book was quite good.

[mattrob]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 2:48pm

I personally don't think there is a definative version. But I will say may favorite "Big Spender" is the one in Fosse.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 3:10pm

I'm with Jewishboy. The Nikkis and Helenas from the previous recordings can't be compared to those from the revival. How can you compare Janine LaManna to Hellen Gallagher and Bebe Neuwirth's Tony-worthy (and in the case of Neuwirth Tony-winning) performances? I actually didn't think "Baby, Dream Your Dream" (one of my favorite songs in the score) could be dull...until this recording came out.
And the best "Big Spender" is from the original version, perhaps matched by the film soundtrack. The Wayne Cilento choreography for that number in the revival would have been laughable if it hadn't been so incredibly annoying that he messed up with Fosse's brilliant take on the number.

[JohnBoy2]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 3:27pm

Once again, I'm not talking about choreography (Fosse is far from my favorite choreographer. That'd be the insanely versitile, Onna White), I'm talking about listening to a recording. Baby Dream Your Dream is my favorite number on the New Broadway Cast recording. Their voices blend so beautifully. Second would be There's Gotta Be Something Better Than This. So I wasn't making a comparison, just stating my preference. The whole point of even posting it, is how surprised I was to prefer it to any other recording.

[fflagg]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 4:51pm

You cannot beat the OCR of the show. The film soundtrack with Shirley is a close second even though some songs are cut.

Christina is the Wal-mart choice to play Charity.

[JohnBoy2]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 4:54pm

My biggest issue with the soundtrack is that my favorite song from the score isn't even in it! So, that would never be a favorite.

[jewishboy]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 7:09pm

JohnBoy2, we’re just stating our preferances also (sorry about being alittle too harsh earlier). My favorite "Big Spender" is from the 1999 Fosse recording as well. IMO you can't beat Valarie Pettiford, Jane Lanier, and the rest of the gals.