The Secret Garden

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 2/14/05 at 6:47pm

I just got my OBCR in the mail today and I love it so much. I already own the Australian highlights cd with Anthony Warlow and Phillip Quast (This one should have been a full cd, DANG IT!!!) and still think that the voices are superior to the OBC but the OBCR has more music and has Daisy Eagan. But on the downsize, it has Mandy Patinkin. I mean, he sounds a lot better than he usually does but Warlow was so much better in this role. But, again.........AMAZING!!!

[Musetta1957]

Posted: 2/14/05 at 6:49pm

The Aussie cast has it IN SPADES over the OBC.

[My Fair Lady]

Posted: 2/14/05 at 6:50pm

The OBC is amazing. I got it a few weeks ago and I love it!

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 2/14/05 at 6:50pm

Oh yeah, the OBCR has John Cameron Mitchell in it. He deserves his own "Shout Out"

[GovernorSlaton]

Posted: 2/14/05 at 6:51pm

I'm listening to it now; I just finished playing Archibald in a production this weekend.
Yes, the OBCR has Daisy Eagan, as well as Luker, Westenberg, Mitchell, Fraser, and Patinkin, whom I love. I've never heard Warlow, but I think Patinkin is brilliant.

[#1Elphie]

Posted: 2/14/05 at 6:52pm

I love the OBCR!

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 2/14/05 at 6:52pm

You've never heard of Warlow.......GASP!!!!!! Don't get me wrong, Patinkin is an amazing actor and his lower register is good but I HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE his falsetto register.

[GovernorSlaton]

Posted: 2/14/05 at 6:54pm

It's amazing how one person's voice can cause such different opinions. I love his higher register.

[Mother's Younger Brother]

Posted: 2/14/05 at 6:56pm

If you're a fan of the OBC and Aussie CD's (like I am), try to track down the London (RSC) cast recording. There were some changes made to the structure of the show, but the cast is excellent. And although no orchestrations can top the OBC, the RSC's orchestrations are equally lush.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 2/14/05 at 6:58pm

Ah well....difference of opinions is what makes the world a great place. But if you go here

http://www.anthonywarlow.com/awarlow.html

and click on "discography" then "Cast".....you should see the picture of the SECRET GARDEN cd cover. Click on it and you can hear him sing "Lily's Eyes" (The best recording of this song I have ever heard) and "Race you to the top of the morning" (Completely breathtaking). Tell me what you think.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 2/14/05 at 6:59pm

Thanks for the link, Spider. I only know of Warlow from reading about him on here (usually in your posts ) I've been curious to hear him sing.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 2/14/05 at 7:02pm

I think he is the best male singer I have ever heard. He can go from musical theatre, opera, big band, etc. with the simplest of ease. AMAZING!!! I hope you enjoy hearing him.

[GovernorSlaton]

Posted: 2/14/05 at 7:06pm

Lovely voice, but I question some of his acting choices. Oh well.
For the record, I still think the OBC's Lily's Eyes is the best I've heard (granted, I haven't heard all of the Australian version, especially the big "SHEEEEEEE HAAAAAAAS my Lily's hazel eyes...").

[Eastwickian]

Posted: 2/15/05 at 5:33am

Although the RSC version did have some faults (dancing gardeners - whhy??), on stage it was a really good show with a top notch cast and orchestra. For some reason, the cast album doesn't reflect any of this, sounding flat and rather lifeless (a lot of London recordings produced by Chris Walker - Chitty included - have the same problem IMO). I have to say that I do prefer the Broadway over the London recording, but the Australian version is the best sounding (if frustratingly incomplete). What chance has this show got of a decent revival?

[Unknown User]

Posted: 2/15/05 at 6:41am

I still don't understand all the changes made for the RSC--I know they reflect the novel better but I miss the lushly romantic basis from the original now that Lily';s role is diminished, etc.

What happened to the composers? Weren't they working on Wuthering Heights (which I'd think would work well for them)

E

[sanda]

Posted: 2/15/05 at 4:53pm

OBC is the best.

I have heard OBC, OZ and OLC and still think OBC is the best. Before obc, I hated Mandy Patinkin and loved Warlow and thought there won't be a match between these two . But after listening both, I had to admit obc is brilliant, everyone is perfect, so is Patinkin. Warlow still sounds great, but lack the tenderness, the loneliness and weakness of the role which is essencial for this show.Patinkin gets it.

[bjivie2]

Posted: 2/15/05 at 9:47pm

Mandy Patinkin is an interesting fellow. When I first heard him singing "High Flying Adored" (which was the first song I ever heard him sing) I thought this Mandy Patinkin was a woman. After I found out he was a guy, I saluted him for using his head voice just as much as any other woman out there because that takes guts. But sometimes it's just too much for me. I have a recording of him singing "Tonight" with Audra McDonald, and it sounds like two women.

[chess12]

Posted: 2/16/05 at 1:34pm

If anyone can give me a finer moment than Alison Fraser singing "Hold On" then I'll eat my hat.

[#1Elphie]

Posted: 2/16/05 at 1:45pm

Chess, I love that song. Alison Fraser is amazing.

[Eastwickian]

Posted: 2/17/05 at 5:18am

I'm going to have to disagree - her 'Yorkshire' accent throughout the show is appalling, and I just find it a little distracting during the song. That is one area in which the RSC recording scores higher, with the marvelous Linzi Hateley (yes, Carrie herself!) singing the hell out of it!

[Mimi Imfurst]

Posted: 2/17/05 at 5:21am

john cameron mitchell def. deserves his own shout out!

[amasis]

Posted: 2/17/05 at 6:48am

I prefer the voices on the Australian recording over those on the OBCR, too. Although I'm sure that didn't come as a surprise to Spider . Updated On: 2/17/05 at 06:48 AM