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THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD CD Question

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#1

THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD CD Question

Posted: 7/3/08 at 2:35am

After watching the Tony Awards performance (and that oddly enjoyable music video), I really want to hear the score. I can't seem to find the CD though, except on Amazon or ebay where it goes for hundreds of dollars. Anyone know why?
I am a firm believer in serendipity- all the random pieces coming together in one wonderful moment, when suddenly you see what their purpose was all along.
#2

re: THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD CD Question

Posted: 7/3/08 at 2:47am

Well... it's out of print.
"Your lyrics lack subtlety! You can't just have your characters announce how they feel! That makes me feel angry!"
#4

re: THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD CD Question

Posted: 7/3/08 at 3:30am

Do a search, there are several threads that delve deep into the recordings 2 or 3 releases. It's an interesting tale. You can find mp3's online at various places.

Good things come to those who wait . . .
PLEASE! Do not post anything negative or dramatic! DidYouReallyHearMe has LOST the ability to ignore such posts and he will comment! Please, help him.


With Clay Aiken in Spamalot, all of Broadway is singing a collective "There! Right! There!" -Me-

"Not Barker, Todd is the only person I've ever known who could imitate Katherine Hepburn...in print." -nmartin-
#5

re: THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD CD Question

Posted: 7/3/08 at 3:44am

^ Very true - I was looking for a copy for about four and a half years (after narrowly losing out on an eBay auction), then a few months ago, I found a copy at my campus' library!
"Who is Stephen Sondheim?" -roninjoey
"The man who wishes he had written Phantom of the Opera!" - SueleenGay

GO CARDINALS!!!
#6

re: THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD CD Question

Posted: 7/3/08 at 4:44am

Brian Druteman of Decca (who now own the masters) argues that it has been issued twice on CD (first on Polydor - with all the alternate endings - and later on Varese-Sarabande with only the opening night ending) and neither edition set any kind of sales records.

Perhaps they will let ArKive re-release it on CD-R.

Cast albums are NOT "soundtracks."
Live theatre does not use a "soundtrack." If it did, it wouldn't be live theatre!

I host a weekly one-hour radio program featuring cast album selections as well as songs by cabaret, jazz and theatre artists. The program, FRONT ROW CENTRE is heard Sundays 9 to 10 am and also Saturdays from 8 to 9 am (eastern times) on www.proudfm.com

#7

re: THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD CD Question

Posted: 7/3/08 at 5:52am

It's quite an interesting supply and demand thing. It went out of print, which made it tricky to get hold of, and it became so desired because of collectors who go "Edwin Drood is difficult to get! Therefore I MUST have it!", and it's just sort of... circularly become massively sought after. Not because of quality or anything, just *because* it's so sought after. If they reprinted it, there would an initial surge of the unlucky collectors going "HAHA I CAN OWN IT AT LAST!", then it just wouldn't sell any more than any other cast recording.
Notes from the Earlham Street Gutter
#8

re: THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD CD Question

Posted: 7/3/08 at 6:17am

I have a copy someone made for me that has "Ceylon", "Moonfall Quartet", each "Out on a Limerick" and all the different confessions from both CD releases. It's actually one of my favorite recordings.
#9

re: THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD CD Question

Posted: 7/3/08 at 6:37am

No recording seems to have the songs A British Subject or England Reigns. I saw the show, and it was one of the best things I ever saw on Broadway. The cast was sublime, and Betty Buckley's final song remains among my favorites. It is perfectly rendered, on every level.
#10

re: THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD CD Question

Posted: 7/3/08 at 10:22am

Weez, I think it's a bit silly to say Drood's desirability has nothing to do with quality! It's generally regarded as a fine score, which I feel it is. "Moonfall" is one of the most beautiful songs ever heard on Broadway, methinks.

If it was really bad, almost no one would want it, regardless of how rare it was.
#11

re: THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD CD Question

Posted: 7/3/08 at 10:23am

It's a funny thing- Out of Print CDs become fantastically over valued not because there are a lot of people who want them but because there are a few people who want them, badly. History is full of stories like this where a company reissues a disc only to find no one wants to buy it now that they can.

I recall a fantastic market for Whoop-Up on LP when it seemed it would never be released on CD. Then, the CD came out and didn't sell at all. Now the CD is out of print and it's probably trading for hundreds of dollars again.
#12

re: THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD CD Question

Posted: 7/3/08 at 10:31am

Weez, I think it's a bit silly to say Drood's desirability has nothing to do with quality!

That's not *quite* what I was trying to say. Obviously it's a great show (I have familiarity with it an' all), which is why people wanted it in the first place. But as time has gone on, the desire for it has escalated (hence the mad prices) and I've come across certain collectors who now only want it *because* it's so difficult to get hold of.
Notes from the Earlham Street Gutter
#13

re: THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD CD Question

Posted: 7/3/08 at 11:01am

As the one who reissued it the first time, I'm here to tell you that the sales were actually shocking. At that time, the Polydor was fetching fifty to one hundred bucks, and we thought, well, we should do well with this. We didn't, although I'd do it again.
#16

re: THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD CD Question

Posted: 7/3/08 at 11:20am

As someone who works for a record label and a designer of CD booklets, I tend to want the full package, and to pay for it. But thank you.
#17

re: THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD CD Question

Posted: 7/3/08 at 11:41am

Should probably list one of mine on eBay . . . have thought about it for a while, but haven't done it.
". . . POP . . ."
#18

re: THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD CD Question

Posted: 7/3/08 at 2:12pm


Click Me!
PLEASE! Do not post anything negative or dramatic! DidYouReallyHearMe has LOST the ability to ignore such posts and he will comment! Please, help him.


With Clay Aiken in Spamalot, all of Broadway is singing a collective "There! Right! There!" -Me-

"Not Barker, Todd is the only person I've ever known who could imitate Katherine Hepburn...in print." -nmartin-
#19

re: THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD CD Question

Posted: 7/3/08 at 6:18pm

I got the LP in mint condition for a buck. I about spit all over myself when I saw it in the bin with every other record. I listen to it often.

I love the cover art as well.

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