The Wiz - Cast Recording

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 10:52am

I've been very interested in purchasing this cd for quite some time. Could you all post your reviews and opinions here, please. Thanks in advance.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 10:58am

Worth getting. I had it on tape and just got in on Cd slightly used for about 6 bucks on Ebay.

I think it is worth getting. It is a great combo of drama and soul. I love the score and hope it is revived. The performances are all top notch and again, the score is the main star. At least, in my opinion.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 11:02am

It is a great cd...was my first favorite musical, and I still listen to it frequently.

[seymour krelborn]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 11:25am

Definitely get the cd. I really disklike the show itself, but the musical is absolutley wonderful.

[JasonM12480]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 11:31am

Both the original cast recording and the movie soundtrack are worth having, if you're an avid Broadway soundtrack collector. Personally, I find the orchestrations (done by the amazing Quincy Jones) for the movie version to be far superior, and much more rich and exciting to listen to. But I come from a musical background, and have a sincere appreciation for a large, fine symphony orchestra, and the movie soundtrack definately gives you bang for your buck. However, some things on the original Broadway cast recording, I prefer over the movie - the Broadway version of "Be A Lion" - the arrangment, I personally like better than the movie version. It's all a matter of taste - both are excellent, and it's a great score that I don't think receives enough credit in today's hypocritical music theater world. Enjoy!!

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 11:36am

I pretty much echo what Jason says. If you could combine Stephanie Mills (of the OBC) and pretty much everything else from the film soundtrack, you'd pretty much have the ideal recording.

The OBC, for the record, doesn't include three major songs heard on Broadway -- "A Rested Body" (sung by Glinda), "The Emerald City Ballet" and "Who Do You Think You Are?" (sung to the Wizard).

[wildcat]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 11:50am

I'm afraid once I heard those movie orchestrations (and Thelma Carpenter as Addaperle/Miss One) I never went back to the OBC again.

[uncageg]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 12:28pm

I prefer the OBCR to the movie. Mainly becasue Diana Ross plays Dorothy. Favorite tracks on the Movie Soundtrack - The Emerald City Sequence. But the OBCR, for me, is my favorite. Have seen the show 3 times with Stephanie Mills. Ross can't hold a candle to Ms. Mills. I do agree with the orchectrations on the Movie Soundtrack. Q is the best!

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 12:32pm

Agree Uncaged. Without Steph, it isnt worth it...she was electrifying when I saw her do it at the Beacon decades ago. Sad that she still has to play the same part again and again.

Was listening to the Papermill's "Children of Eden" this AM and she was great as Eve! Another really good recording.

[joeybiltmore1]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 12:37pm

Yes, the movie orchestrations are far superior, but they normally don't have 80 piece orchestras for Broadway shows.
The Broadway orchestrations are undeniably 70's but that is part of their appeal to me.

Stephanie Mills is a far superior Dorothy than Diana Ross, and if Clarice Taylor's delicious Addaperle doesn't get the chance to show off her hysterical line-readings on the cast album, at least her droll "He's the Wizard" offers a little taste of one of my favorite performances of the decade.

Mabel King is excellent here as in the film, even if there is a short cut in her terrific show stopper, "No Bad News". Hinton Battle has a far better song to sing that Michael Jackson did as the Scarecrow, and Tiger Haynes' two Tinman numbers both come through very nicely, even if one misses the snazzy dance arrangement for "Slide Some Oil to Me" in the film.

Ted Ross IS the Lion, and "Be a Lion" has always been this album's highlight for me, with both Stephanie and Ted singing beautifully while breaking hearts.

The distinctive Andre DeShields does well with two songs cut for the film, with "Y'all Got It" particlarly appealing (but the cheesy fade-out at the end of it has always bugged me).

Dee Dee Bridgewater gets to sing the famous "If You Believe" and proves why she is one of jazz music's bright lights. It's a shame her other number, the seductive "A Rested Body Is a Rested Mind" was not recorded. Another song in the show that was omitted on both the cast album and from the movie is the lively but unneccessary "Who Do You Think You Are?" sung to the humbug wizard by the four friends.

Tasha Thomas' heartfelt "The Feeling we Once Had" gets things off to a nice start, but again is marred by a questionable fade-out at the end. The dance number "Tornado" is one of the great 70's arrangements and will have you whirling around your living room.

I say get the cast album. Stephanie Mills will show you how "Home" should be sung, and the familiar story will still grab you with wonderful songs and performances all around.

One quibble: The tracks practically run into one another with no more than a nano-second between songs. And for such a visually rich production (the eye-popping original sets and costumes were practically the stars of the show) it's a shame there aren't more photos.

Hope this helped.

[uncageg]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 12:47pm

doodlenyc - My best friend is a major Stephanie Mills fan but had never heard Children of Eden, I played "Spark of Creation" for him and he almost lost his mind! I loved playing something by her for him that he has never heard!

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 1:18pm

I hope he has all of her recordings now...they are all terrific, tho many very dated (nostalgic to me)

...and back to the Wiz, believe it or not, my favorite track, which was cut for the movie, is "The Feeling We Once Had", Tasha Thomas...the lyric is kinda sappy, but love it.

I always wondered if they recorded it with Theresa Merritt who played Aunt Em, and decided it didnt work. So much of the movie didnt work, including a grown Dorothy.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 1:19pm

Doodle. That song is in the movie and on the soundtrack...Are you sure you aren't thinking of something else?

[pab]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 1:20pm

I would recommend the OBCR. When I listen to the soundtrack it only reminds how much that movie sucked! I saw the broadway show a number of times and was so let down by the movie that I want no reminder of how they trashed such a good show. Yes, Lena Horne was brilliant but on the whole not a good experience.

[Thenardier]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 1:26pm

Yes, I hate that fade out as well.

The OBCR is great, nothing better. I wish it had production stills. Oh well.

I was lucky to meet Andre at his concert and he signed it for me, and personalized it.

It's a great CD...don't hesitate to buy it.

[uncageg]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 1:27pm

The movie itself was a major letdown. The versions of a lot of the songs were just bad. I do own the soundtrack, on vinyl. Just can't bring myself to buy the cd.

And I swear...as I am typing this, Ease on Down the Road - from the movie is just starting to play on AOL's Showtune station. Coincindene? A bit scary I think!

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 1:38pm

Michael Bennett, you only touched on the songs that are not included on the OBC! (which as a side note is odd because all of them are on the karaoke CD...) but the missing songs are the second and third versions of "Ease on Down the Road", "Kalidah Battle", "Lion's Dream", "Emerald City Ballet", the Entr'Acte", "Funky Monkeys", "Who Do You Think You Are?" the first "Believe in Yourself", and "A Rested Body". I've been hoping forever that Jay Records or someone would record a complete studio cast recording...
Updated On: 7/22/05 at 01:38 PM

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 1:43pm

That's so funny they are on the Karaoke CD, seeing as how most of those are dance pieces that don't have lyrics. I guess they included those for the party where people REALLY have a lot to drink and feel like doing the Tornado Ballet in their living rooms.

It would be great if JAY did a complete recording, but it probably wouldn't be released until 2040 they way they operate. We'll probably see 2 Broadway revivals before then.

[willact4food]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 1:46pm

I definitely suggest the cast recording. It's fun! Very soulful, I like it a lot.

Love,
Brandon

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 1:46pm

the karaoke CD even has the bows and exit music...

[Thenardier]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 1:47pm

HA, MB....drunks dancing to The Wiz.

I want Andre to play The Wiz again...I miss him

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 1:47pm

No that is what I meant...who sang it in the movie? I've only seen it on tv, so maybe it is cut for that...
Now I feel like a fool!

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 1:48pm

Wow. I guess you don't need to hire an orchestra to play your next high school production of it!

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 1:51pm

isn't that illegal?

[Thenardier]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 1:54pm

What's illegal?

Doodle....nice av!