I soon going to be getting some new musical CD's but I don't know what I should get...help if you can Please !!!!
Miss Saigon (if so which recording)
All Shook Up
The Phantom of The Opera (Canadian Cast Recording)
Urinetown
Company (Which Recording)
Thoroughly Modern Millie
The Fiddler On The Roof New Cast Recording
Mamma Mia
Sweet Charity (2005)
On The Record
Brooklyn
I'm going to buy at least two out of this bunch ...what should I get.
Get Limewire and listen to all of them.
Don't even bother with Mamma Mia. It's the London cast and, in my humble opinion, a horrific representation of a so-so show.
It depends on what you like, some people are going to like horrible or mediocre shows just because that's their personal preference.
So, out of your choices, try and sample it off of Amazon if it's possible, then decide which two you like more.
Millie and Company (OBC)
I did the Limewire thing and the Amazon thing as well thats why I'm mainly thinking about going out and buying the CD's. I really like Miss Saigon and Company.
I think you should get Miss Saigon-Original London Cast Recording and Brooklyn!
Why? because Miss Saigon is an AMAZING musical and its one of my favorites and the london cast is AMAZING! It has Lea Solanga and other great people!
Brooklyn is also a wonderful musical and I think Eden is amazing! Also the music is wonderful and its a great show!
Those are the 2 I think you should get! I have them and I love them!
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/24/05
I say if you want for upbeaty music based on musical artist get ALl Shook Up and Mammia Mia Or go with some of my favs. Thoroughly Modern Millie and BrKYlN
From that list then -- SAIGON (OLC), URINETOWN and COMPANY (OBC)
From that list I would say (in this order):
Company (OBC)
Urinetown
Miss Saigon
TMM
Of course it depends on a matter of personal taste, however....
Miss Saigon is a MUST have! (OLC) the Studio cast recording is the only "complete recording" but it loses the power of the Original London cast!
All Shook up is alright, not great. Better if you've seen the show. But if you love Elvis... buy buy buy!
as for Mamma Mia... I agree with VonTussleGirl the london recording is not very good! Just get ABBA Gold if you want to hear this show. The whole show is on it sans three songs.
Mille.... Don't believe the hype I love Jeanine Tesori but this is not her best work. Get VIOLET or CAROLINE OR CHANGE but not Mille. Their are only three good songs in this show (in my opinion)
Not going to touch Phantom
But I agree with Broadwaychick88 in saying that Brooklyn is fabulous. (My personal opinion) But also maybe better if you've seen it. If you want to hear people sing from their soul its the only way to go!
Hope it helps!
I agree with eastwickian.
COMPANY (OBC)
URINETOWN
I love the Phantom Canadian cast. Colm Wilkinson does a more 'tragic' phantom though, if you're into that.
Featured Actor Joined: 12/31/69
Thank you Miss Jones. My sentiments exactly.
What is "CHESS" about ?
Chess is an amazing Musical but if you get it you must get the original version that appears as Chess12's avatar. The 1986 London Concept Cast! Do not under any circumstances buy the '88 American version (Not even if you love the actors in it.) Trevor Nunn Ruined the show as he does most shows when he "Americanizes" them, and major rewrites even to the music tanked the show! The 1994 Swedish Concert Cast is also Awesome!
As to what it is about...
It is basically a political piece using Chess as a device to described the "Cold War" Very inventive! You'll Love it!
For more info here is a fantastic link!
Chess Story
For Mama Mia, just by the Abba's Greatest Hits.
I like the Canadian Cast recording of PotO alot.
jera
hmm...Miss Saigon and Millie.
Leading Actor Joined: 5/31/05
go listen and pick out what you like. after all, you're the one who's going to have to deal with it later, and everyone has differing opinions. on top of everything else, you can certainly add to your collection later. but you have all good selections! :)
Based on your shopping list....
Miss Saigon (if so which recording)- The OLC with Lea Salonga is pretty good, but the Complete recording has the entire score, incorporates the changes made for the US productions, and has the wonderful Kevin Grey as well as Ruthie Henshall.
All Shook Up - This is a jukebox musical made up of Elvis songs. If you are a fan you would probably prefer to hear Elvis sing. If you are not a fan, you won't enjoy the score.
The Phantom of The Opera (Canadian Cast Recording) - a good highlights recording of the key songs and it has Colm Wilkinson. I am NOT a fan of this show at all but I prfer this to the poorly recorded London cast CD.
Urinetown - Clever and well performed. It is a really well-produced cast album you will enjoy over and over.
Company (Which Recording) - The original OBC with Dean Jones and Elaine Stritch is unbeatable. This one is a MUST HAVE for any Broadway collector.
Thoroughly Modern Millie - Sutton Foster and Gavin Creel lead a lively cast but the show sounds very dated.
The Fiddler On The Roof New Cast Recording - It is more complete but you are better off with either the original Broadway cast with Zero Mostel or the original London cast with Topol.
Mamma Mia - See my comments on ALL SHOOK UP and apply the ABBA name. This is not a well produced cast album so unless you are a real fan of the show, pass on it.
Sweet Charity (2005) - Scuppered by new orchestrations. Get the original with Gwen Verdon (unless you are a hughe Christina Applegate fan.)
On The Record - There are better collections of Dinsey songs. Pass.
Brooklyn - This show has its fans but few of them would claim the score is one of the great ones. If you saw the show and liked it, get the OCR, but you should pick up some of the others on your list first.
So, COMPANY for sure. Probably URINETOWN as the #2 choice.
May I also suggest (if you don't have them already):
LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA
RAGTIME
PASSION
KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN
ASSASSINS
CITY OF ANGELS
INTO THE WOODS
SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE
THE RINK
LA CAGE AUX FOLLES
NINE
SWEENEY TODD
A CHORUS LINE
FOLLIES
CABARET
MAME
HELLO DOLLY
110 IN THE SHADE
SHE LOVES ME
GYPSY
MY FAIR LADY
WONDERFUL TOWN
KING AND I
GUYS AND DOLLS
ANNIE GET YOUR GUN
CAROUSEL
OKLAHOMA
LADY IN THE DARK
ANYTHING GOES
OF THEE I SING
SHOW BOAT
NO NO NANETTE
BABES IN TOYLAND
Cast albums are NOT "soundtracks."
Live theatre does not use a "soundtrack." If it did, it wouldn't be live theatre!
I host a weekly one-hour radio program featuring cast album selections as well as songs by cabaret, jazz and theatre artists. The program, FRONT ROW CENTRE is heard Sundays 9 to 10 am and also Saturdays from 8 to 9 am (eastern times) on www.proudfm.com
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