Which Assasins recording? Original or Revival?

[fiyero8132]

Posted: 9/18/05 at 11:22am

I can't decide which to get. I don't know much about this musical. Which recording is more complete and gives you a better sense of the story?

[IdinaRocks]

Posted: 9/18/05 at 11:32am

I've never heard the original recording, but I'll tell you this- the revival one is pretty damn amazing. And it comes with a pretty detailed bio of each of the characters, and synopsis i think, so I'd go with that one =)

[way_to_spend_the_day]

Posted: 9/18/05 at 11:32am

Please Please Please Please get the revival recording! Both are great, but the revival has amazing performers on it. This has become my favorite musical simply because I have never gotten sick of listening to this recording! Neil Patrick Harris is amazing in all his songs and the songs all cumulate in Take a Look Lee when Neil becomes Lee. He is able to take a completely different approach on the character and the show's themes are just brought together so beautifully. Also, there is an added song on the revival which I think really adds to the story. Whichever you get, just make sure to get one of them asap--once you get to know this musical you won't be able to live without it!!! It is definately my favorite Sondheim ever!

[Plum]

Posted: 9/18/05 at 11:33am

The revival has more dialogue, but is missing some of the book depository scene (I think), which the original has. But in any case, there isn't much of a story to Assassins, even by concept musical standards. I'd recommend the original recording because the orchestrations are much, much more extravagent. Since the recording was basically an indulgence for a show that barely lasted Off-Broadway, they went all-out and got a much bigger orchestra than actually played the show.

[pab]

Posted: 9/18/05 at 11:35am

The Revival

Something Just Broke

Updated On: 9/18/05 at 11:35 AM

[Jon]

Posted: 9/18/05 at 11:37am

The original has better orchestrations and some stronger performances, but the revival has a much better sound - the lyrics are easier to understand - the whole thing is just "cleaner". Improvements in recoding technology, I guess.

Except for the missing strings in the orchestra, I prefer the revival.

[lamentingenvelope]

Posted: 9/18/05 at 11:39am

REVIVAL!!!

(Wow, surprise surprise. I recommend the recording with Denis. Who would ever have guessed that.)

No, but seriously. Even BEYOND the Denis factor this recording is amazing. The booklet that comes with it is ALONE worth the price. I never tire of this recording (though my parents sure have... but what do they know?)

Besides, Doogie Howser... singing?! You have to hear it to believe it!

[Plum]

Posted: 9/18/05 at 11:40am

How could I forget "Something Just Broke"? Oy. I'd get the revival to get that song, even if I'm not nuts about the dialogue they included.

[Patronus]

Posted: 9/18/05 at 11:52am

Neil Harris is a great stage performer. I've been a fan of his stage work since 1997 when he was in Rent. He and I share a mutual friend so I've had the wonderful opportunity to spend time with on several occasions and I've always found him to be an intelligent and very gracious and talented guy. I don't even think of him as Doogie anymore and even though it's made him very comfortable financially, I am hoping his stage work and his new sitcom allows him to continue getting out from under that "Iron Doogie Curtain."

Now, as to not totally thread jack...

If I had to choose just one, I'd go with the Original Cast Recording. The book depository scene on that album is chilling and one of my favorite theatrical scenes of all time. However, I think they both stand up very well and if cost isn't a concern, I'd recommend going with both of them.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 9/18/05 at 11:57am

I know I'm in the minority here, but I greatly prefer the original cast recording. Not only is the singing generally better, but I prefer the score with the more Brechtian, simple orchestrations as opposed to the big brassy sound of the larger Broadway revival orchestra.

[best12bars]

Posted: 9/18/05 at 12:05pm

I'm with you, Mr. Baritone. Get the original.

[Calvin]

Posted: 9/18/05 at 12:13pm

Agree with Patronus. Get both. They each have their own virtues.

Content-wise, you get Something Just Broke and one of Byck's monologues with the revival that you won't get on the original, but the original has the full Oswald scene. Of course, to me, the enjoyment of long stretches of dialogue on a recording diminishes with each listening.

I have different favorites in each cast. I prefer Victor Garber and Debra Monk in their roles on the original, and Neil Patrick Harris as the balladeer on the revival. And Denis O'Hare and Jonathan Hadary both are such quirky Guiteaus that I don't know who I like better.

[Urban]

Posted: 9/18/05 at 12:20pm

Original.

Like comparing a steak to a hamburger.

[QuiteSo]

Posted: 9/18/05 at 12:26pm

I'd suggest getting both - they're both excellent recordings. It's great fun to compare and contrast the two - especially comparing the casts and what made it on to each recording and whatnot.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 9/18/05 at 12:28pm

Both are worth getting. The original cast is a better sung recording, though.

[GovernorSlaton]

Posted: 9/18/05 at 12:29pm

The revival is a good recording -- there are extra snippets of dialogue (including Byck's entire "Have it Your Way" monologue to Richard Nixon), the cast sounds wonderful (NPH especially), and the whole cd has a clean, polished feel. Unfortunately, it sounds a little too polished. It's lacking in a sort of energy and vibrance that both the original recording and the revival production itself had. The orchestrations, which sounded fine in the theater, sound very tinny (which is probably because of the size of the orchestra). It's worth getting though, for the reasons mentioned before, and for the gorgeous booklet with full lyrics, an essay by Weidman, a synopsis, and bios of all the assassins.

The original is by far my favorite. The cast is uniformly excellent, the orchestrations are full (Though the Off-Broadway Production had only two pianos and percussion, they beefed up the orchestra to over 20 players), and, most importantly, it has the energy that can only be found on the best cast recordings. Everything clicks -- there are so many spectacular moments, including William Parry's delivery of Everybody's Got the Right (and the line "C'mere and kill a president!"), Garber's Ballad of Booth, Annie Golden's stunning performance on "Unworthy of Your Love", Jonathan Hadary's "I am Going to the Lordy"'s, and the Book Depository scene, recorded in full. Both are worth getting, but the original should be in everyone's collection.

[uncageg]

Posted: 9/18/05 at 1:20pm

I have heard the original and plan to purchase it. I have seen and own the revival recording. It is my favorite of the two. Possibly because I have visuals to go with it. However the only letdown with the revival is Mario Cantone. Just don't care for him. I cringed in the theatre and I skip the "Have it your way" track on the CD. But I love the music in this show, so I am sure I will end up owning both. And the song "Something Just Broke" is worth the price of the CD alone. In my opinion. Hey....Thanks for this thread!! It is a Sunday morning and I think I need a little Assassins while I cook breakfast!!

[VonTussleGirl]

Posted: 9/18/05 at 1:45pm

I honestly love both of the recordings, but if I had to choose, I'd go for the revival, if only for "Something Just Broke." If only they hadn't cut so much of the book depository scene...

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 9/18/05 at 1:49pm

there's no point in getting both, if you're like me, you'll never listen to them both equally, so don't waste the money. Get the revival. I really didn't like the music in the show all that much, I think it must be more of a visual show since the score itself I didn't feel was all that strong. With the exception of "Something Just broke." That song is amazing. I love the ensemble voices in that song. Kendra sounds great in that song. And yes, the packaging is great. I loved the booklet that came with it.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 9/18/05 at 1:57pm

uncageg--I agree about Mario Cantone. His is probably the worst singing I have ever heard on a Broadway cast recording. Was he sick or does he always sound like that?

[Calvin]

Posted: 9/18/05 at 2:31pm

Yes, he always sounded like that. Well, at least when I saw it.

He can sing better than that, BTW. That was just how he did the character.

He does a great Judy Garland impression.
Updated On: 9/18/05 at 02:31 PM

[fluerette]

Posted: 9/18/05 at 2:37pm

I am going to have to agree with the people saying the original. I really like both, but I listen to the original much more. This could possibly be because I had the original recording before the revival came out and it was the one I fell in love with.