Which Finian's Rainbow Cast Recording is the Best?

Hey everyone,

Before this current revival of Finian's Rainbow came about, I knew very little about the show. But following this production has really sparked my interest in it, and I really want to get a cast recording to familarize myself more with show. However, I'm unsure of which is the best. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

There also was a recording of the 1960 City Center revival -- don't know if it's available on CD now or ever was, for that matter. It's far more complete than the OBCR and I prefer it to the Off-Broadway version. And, it has the advantage of the full orchestrations. Cast includes Jeannie Carson, Howard Morris, Biff McGuire, Carol Brice and Bobby Howes (father of Sally Ann). Do avoid at all costs the film soundtrack. Hopefully, the currenmt production will inspire a complete recording.

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Go with the original cast recording from 1947.

I think we did this already in one of teh FINA"s RAINBOW thrteads but briefly:

The original 1947 Broadway cast has just been re-released on CD (http://www.amazon.com/Finians-Rainbow-Original-Broadway-Recording/dp/B002M2Z3QU/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1256771942&sr=8-5)
The advantage is that this IS how the show sounded when originally done. But it was recorded on 78's, so the songs are abridged to around 3 minutes each and this transfer reveals some surface noise from the masters.

The 1960 revival cast (http://www.amazon.com/Finians-Rainbow-1960-Broadway-Revival/dp/B000002W1I/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1256771942&sr=8-7) is more complete and has better sound. The CD is technically out-of-print but is available as a CR-R from ArkivMusic.

The 1968 film soundtrack (http://www.amazon.com/Finians-Rainbow-Burton-Lane/dp/B000IAZNBI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1256771942&sr=8-2) has that boxy Warner soudnstage sound, and teh re-arranged teh songs to give Fred Astaire a chance to sing (and dance) as Finian. The earlier CD release by Rhinio Handmade includes some extra material left off the Lp, but teh 5,000 copies old out very quickly and that version is expensive when found.

A 1962 studio cast on Reprise features Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Dean Marin and others. It's fun as a "pop" collection, but not a proper recording of the show. It's only available in a boxed set with similar albums of GUYS AND DOLLS, KISS ME KATE, and SOUTH PACIFIC. (http://www.amazon.com/Reprise-Musical-Repertory-Theatre-Finians/dp/B00004XN1K/ref=sr_1_22?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1256772688&sr=8-22)

The Irish rep cast with Malcolm Gets is enjoyable bit I miss the full orchestra as heard in the two Broadway recordings, but the Ferrante & Teicher style piano accompaniment is acceptable. Not sure about the sound quality as my copy has a lot of static. (http://www.amazon.com/Finians-Rainbow-Repertory-Theatre-Recording/dp/B000641A7C/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1256771942&sr=8-9)

For my money the 1960 cast balances good sound quality with great performance sand covers most of the score, so overall it's the best buy.

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Let us hope that the 2009 revival proves to have the best recording.

Dear Lord, it has to be Ella Logan. She IS Sharron (and was a very interesting performer and personality) and I just love her interpretation of songs we all know but nobody had ever heard before on opening night. What must it have been like to hear Glocca Mora for the very first time? My body tingles just considering the thought.....

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Does anybody know if the current revival will have a cast recording? The songs were beautifully sung by the company.

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