The 1995 Complete Studio Cast Recording of "Sweet Charity" ..

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/26/05 at 7:20pm

Anyone have this?

I am finding this recording to be rather dismal. The tempos are RIDICULOUSLY slow. The songs are just less enjoyable with the slow tempos. And on the dance numbers - the slow tempos just don't work.

The performances are alright. Jacqueline Dankworth is alright as Charity - she's rather blah. Josephine Blake and Shezwae Powell are a major dissapointment as Nickie and Helene - they do nothing for me. No sass, no attitude. The true star of this recording is the WONDERFUL Gregg Edelman. I've always loved this mans voice. Finally an Oscar sung in the style of John McMartin (Denis O'hare gets a little too odd for me when he sings sometimes) Gregg does a wonderful job on the title song - and it's so refreshing to hear ensembles original lyrics and harmonies at the end of that song - I'm mad they cut that in the new revival.

I am glad we got a complete recording, even with the movie songs! Which are great - but can't compare to the songs they replaced.
Most of the performances on this recording are rather blah, and the tempos are horrible.

Get this if you're a hardcore Charity fan and want a complete recording. Otherwise stick with the Broadway recordings of this score.

Anyone else share the same feelings with me on this recording?

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 7/26/05 at 8:00pm

I've been back and forth on weather or not to get this recording. I saw the track list and I liked that it has "Charity's Theme", "To The Lake", "Subway", "Coney Island Waltz" and the bows and exit music, but since they seem to be all orchestral tracks I'm not sure it's worth it to get it just for that...

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/26/05 at 8:06pm

If you definitely love the score - I say get it. I mean it's fantastic having a lot of the instrumental tracks, and most of the dialogue between songs. The only thing that turns me off are some of the performances and tempos.

[wildcat]

Posted: 7/26/05 at 8:06pm

Haven't heard the CHARITY, but I've got the 'complete' PAJAMA GAME by the same people and the tempos are sheer torture. I'll never play it again unless I've got a week to spare.

[AuditioningWaitress]

Posted: 7/26/05 at 8:28pm

I completely agree with you on the CHARITY recording! I was bored out of my mind listening to it.

[magruder]

Posted: 7/26/05 at 9:23pm

Yeah, the Sweet Charity is probably the worst of that complete series.

If you want a good alternate to any of the three Broadway albums, seek out the Juliet Prowse original London cast recording, which is mostly terrific, and features an orchestra playing the hell out of those orchestrations.

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/26/05 at 9:23pm

^ Hah I'm glad you agree!

The tempos are just so damn boring!

[magruder]

Posted: 7/26/05 at 9:30pm

Yeah, "Rich Man's Frug" might as well be "Dead Man's Frug".

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/26/05 at 9:34pm

Haha!

Oh, and someone has sent me MP3's of the London cast. It's quite good, But I'm said "I'm The Bravest Individual" is missing..

[magruder]

Posted: 7/26/05 at 9:39pm

Yeah, I don't know what that's about. Strange that it's left out.