Violet Cast Recording! Thoughts?

[Joviedamian]

Posted: 5/27/14 at 2:01pm

Hello! I searched for a thread on this and did not find one. My apologies of one has already been made.

What are your thoughts on the new Violet Cast Recording?

In a nut shell: I find it very flat.

The performances vocally are fantastic, but there is just something that does not feel right to me. The opening was very weak compared to the original recording; I felt nothing from it. Maybe I am bias, because the original recording just really left a major impression on me--why I love the show so much. If I was to listen to this recording today, I would not listen it it again...but the original I can listen to it EVERYDAY!

[Michael Kras]

Posted: 5/27/14 at 2:43pm

I could regurgitate my thoughts, but I might as well just post my review: http://castalbumreview.blogspot.ca/2014/05/album-review-violet-original-broadway.html

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 5/27/14 at 3:02pm

I can't wait to see this next week. I'm waiting to buy the recording when I'm in the city. I've never seen the show or heard the music (except for the performance on The View) so I'm excited to hear Sutton Foster on a new recording.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 5/27/14 at 3:59pm

It's a gorgeous album. My favorites have been "Let It Sing" and "Hard to Say Goodbye", due to Joshua Henry's ridiculously gorgeous voice. Also, any song that features Annie Golden is perfection. I wanted the album at intermission due to the variety of the kinds of music, and I'm glad the recording turned out so well.

[Joviedamian]

Posted: 5/27/14 at 4:08pm

@Sutton Ross...don't get me wrong, the recording is gorgeous, but maybe it's just because I can't get the original out of my head.

Yes, Joshua Henry's voice is smooth and stunning!

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 5/27/14 at 4:18pm

Yes, so powerful and smoooooth

I have never heard the original album. I will check it out!

[Joviedamian]

Posted: 5/27/14 at 5:14pm

^^^ once you hear, please tell me what you think. Would love to know.

[dwwst12]

Posted: 5/30/14 at 4:48pm

I wish more cast recordings would include a ton of dialogue like this one does. It's not suitable for every show, but there are some that I wish had more. Next to Normal and Drowsy Chaperone come to mind.

[dave1606]

Posted: 5/30/14 at 4:52pm

I actually really disagree that this recording is flat. I think it sounds very rich and full, and Sutton especially comes across as powerful.

While I love the show, there were a lot of sound issues at the early preview I attended so this is a treat to hear so richly preserved.

I agree that Let it Sing is a highlight. I love that some much dialogue is preserved, this is a great representation of the show.

Also, the packaging and booklet are beautiful. A great job in my opinion.

[haterobics]

Posted: 5/30/14 at 5:29pm

"I wanted the album at intermission due to the variety of the kinds of music, and I'm glad the recording turned out so well."

The night I attended, the whole crowd left at intermission.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 5/30/14 at 5:59pm

Joviedamian, I listened to the 1998 recording! I really enjoyed it, I preferred Amanda Posner's voice over Emerson Steele's, it was less shrill. I enjoyed Michael Park's voice, it has a bit more range than Colin's. I didn't realize Lauren Ward was the original Violet, her voice is quite beautiful. I prefer Joshua Henry over Michael McElroy, it's a bit more powerful and soulful. Both are great, but the original recording is a lot harder to get! I'm glad it's around the interwebs because I'm not paying 40 bucks on Amazon!

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 5/30/14 at 6:16pm

The original cast album was released by a Christian music group (seriously) and though it came with professional looking booklets, they seem to have burned their own copies for sales.

I don't have the new recording yet (It will be a month or two before I can afford it) but I love the earlier one. Interesting that the show was longer back then (I assume, being in two acts) but the current recording is longer.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 5/30/14 at 6:22pm

Wow, that's a bit crazy and fully explains why I had to go to three different websites to piece together the entire recording!

[Joviedamian]

Posted: 5/31/14 at 1:21am

Sutton Ross, I agree about Joshua Henry (totally). I just think you can listen to the original recording and understand the story with just the music and dialogue alone. It also took its time with the words of each lyrics. Not too fast or slow, just the pacing to me was perfect. If you listen closely and close your eyes you can imagine the show in your head and that is awesome. Some recordings today just stand-alone song that really don't help you imagine the story all over again in your head. Hope this makes sense!

Updated On: 5/31/14 at 01:21 AM

[gleek4114]

Posted: 5/31/14 at 9:48am

If anybody wants the OOBCR and doesn't want to shell out $40 or go on a scavenger hunt online I would be happy to send it to you. PM if you are interested!

[Diamonds3]

Posted: 5/31/14 at 11:12am

I found it to amazing! I haven't had a chance to see the show, but just listening to the entire album I was able to imagine the entire story. And it was such fun, I got through it all in one listen.

[jnb9872]

Posted: 6/1/14 at 11:57am

I rarely find myself putting an album on and listening to it in sequence, just my old radio DJ mindset always kicking in when I listen to music, but this album is so crafted for continuous listening that I think this will quickly enter the pantheon of my favorite through-listening recordings.