West Side Story Original Cast Album 50th Anniversary Question

Posted: 11/14/09 at 10:24am

This is a stupid question that taps into the obsessive compulsive cast album collector side of me... So any help would be appreciated (FrontRowCenter?)

Recently Sony reissued their already remastered with bonus cuts OBC of Gypsy as a 50th Anniversary Edition. I had to get it even though I admit the actual cast album itself is the same (the same remaster is used as before, etc) and the new bonus stuff is hardly essential.

But I recently wondered why they never did this for the, presumably, even better selling West Side Story cast album. Then I came across this amazon.com listing: http://www.amazon.com/West-Side-Story-Original-Broadway/dp/B000056TB2 It looks like the CD now has a dust jacket with big CELEBRATING THE 50th ANNIVERSARY print. (My copy already had a dust jacket in cheap plastic coated paper calling it a classic cast album or some such)

Anyway is the actual disc (and the booklet I guess) changed in any way from the past remaster? Or is it the same pressing--same symphonic bonus cuts, same gorgeous remastered sound? In other words, aside from the pointless new slipcase, would there be any reason for me to get it? I admit it looks like they just cheaply, for the anniversary, dumped the cover on the existing, in stock editions, which would make more money sense (and is why I'm so surprised they did a new version for Gypsy).

I do hate when CDs (pop or cast albums or whatever) are endlessly remastered and reissued because it does tap into the obsessive in me and I need to update them, even sometimes when I'd rather buy a NEW cast album I don'talready have in some edition instead. That said the initial bunch of remasters from Sony in the mid 90s I think WERE a HUGE sonic improvement on the old CDs (for Company, Night Music, Chorus Line etc) and included great extras.

thanks!
E
Updated On: 11/14/09 at 10:24 AM

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 11/14/09 at 10:26am

I'm pretty sure it's exactly the same.

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 11/14/09 at 1:00pm

Eric,

The CD is indeed the same (SONY SK 60724) release that came out in 1998. They just added the cardboard sleeve announcing the 50th anniversary.

In 2007 Sony and BMG were still merging and sorting things out. Now that Sony has taken control we will probably see more of these "50th anniversary" editions of the really big shows. (CAMELOT maybe would be next?) Not so much the "lesser" titles... a 50th anniversary Cd of BRAVO GIOVANNI or THE GIRL WHO CAME TO SUPPER seems highly unlikely.

Posted: 11/14/09 at 10:35pm

Damn I had my mind set on a 50th Girl Who Came to Supper

I see a50th Sound of Music is out now too though actually it looks like the bonus tracks they replaced were more interesting...
Updated On: 11/14/09 at 10:35 PM

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 11/15/09 at 10:23am

I just hope the new SOUND OF MUSIC uses the original bell track that opened the Lp. All the CD editions replaced it with a generic bell ringing.

Posted: 11/15/09 at 10:55am

"n 2007 Sony and BMG were still merging and sorting things out. Now that Sony has taken control we will probably see more of these "50th anniversary" editions of the really big shows. (CAMELOT maybe would be next?) Not so much the "lesser" titles... a 50th anniversary Cd of BRAVO GIOVANNI or THE GIRL WHO CAME TO SUPPER seems highly unlikely."

Does this mean there's a chance we'll see remastered releases of the original cast albums for Pacific Overtures (which needs remastering) and Assassins (which doesn't) to finally complete their Columbia/Sony/RCA/BMG Sondheim OBCR remasters? I assumed PO wasn't done when the last batch of RCA shows was as it wasn't as big a seller, but I've since read that throughout the years it's actually been a steady and relatively strong seller for them.

I didn't realize they'd screwed up with Sound of Music. I have one of the CD releases but also have the vinyl, which I grew up with, and to be honest when I play that recording (which isn't very often I admit) I always play the record. It's disappointing they cut the lovely bell opening though (and weird...) Updated On: 11/15/09 at 10:55 AM

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 11/15/09 at 11:29am

Don't many cast album historians count The SOund of Music recording as one of the worst ever?

Posted: 11/15/09 at 12:01pm

:O A Goddard Lieberson produced cast album that ISN'T worshiped flat out by cast album groupies?? I'm shocked!