London
Broadway
10th year Concert
I have listened to the London recording for years but I just got the Broadway one and I must say I prefer it. Colm Wilkinson sounds much more comfortable with Valjean(compare both recordings version of "What Have I Done" to see what I am talking about.)
What About You?
1. The 10th-Anniversary Concert, by far. Some people don't like the audience clapping, but I think it just adds to the energy of live theatre. The cast can't be beat, and it's much more complete than the London and Broadway recordings (and much better than the odd Symphonic Recording).
2. Second place is the Broadway Recording. I've never understood what people find in the London recording: the orchestrations on the OLC aren't the final arrangements, which give them a strange, incomplete quality. The Broadway recording is a lot "cleaner."
3. Original French Concept Album. Much better than I expected when I first picked it up. I adore Eponine's song -- it's sad it was cut from the English production (albeit its melody is still performed in snippets).
4. CSR
5. OLC
I have only heard some songs from the concert but from what I've heard the cast did a Great job.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/8/04
Do I have to choose from only those?
In all - PRC.
From that list, TAC
Has anyone heard the Korean recording? A friend made a tape of it for me, and it's fantastic. The Korean Marius is amazing; you could feel the purity and strength of his emotions. I wonder if this recording could still be found on CD. Anyone?
umm... the three disc complete symphonic recording is my favorite. it's the most complete so it will always be number one to me.
Of that list the 10 anniversary. It's the first version I saw and I think it has the best cast.
I love the CSR, but Gary Morris as Valjean annoys the pants off of me. For the sake of the casts, I'm going to say:
1: TAC I loved every casting choice to some extent. Some of them weren't my favorites, but I really liked all of them nonetheless.
2: OBC The recording itself is wonderful, and clean, but David Bryant as Marius makes me want to slap him. That's really my only problem with it.
3: OLC A good recording, but I thought Rebecca Caine was a little shrill, and David Burt doesn't have nearly as much power as I would like.
4&5: Tie. These are hard, because I really love them both, but OFCR and CSR because of Gary Morris--I can't get over it--and because the differences in the OFCR really distract me. However, I have to say that Kaho Shimada was fabulous as Eponine, and that what's-her-name, who plays Cosette in the OFCR, is the only actress who's made me like Cosette. I love the actresses who played her, like Tracy and Judy, but I can't get over my dislike of the character except on this recording. And "La Coeur Aux Bonheur" (forgive my spelling if it's wrong, please! And it almost certainly is, because I don't speak French!) is incredibly beautiful. I love the idea of Cosette as an alto. So, mixed feelings.
ugh, Anything LES MIS is good - but yeah the Two French oens are the best - hey WE DO EVERYTHING GOOD!
Concert!!!
Don't argue with me MNIL!
out of the English language recordings, I'll go with the 10th Anniversary concert because it has the Ball and the Quast but none of that silly Gary Morris business. overall my favorite recordings are the Japanese Red cast and the Israeli with Dudu Fisher.
"I wash my face, then drink beer, then I weep. Say a prayer and induce insincere self-abuse, till I'm fast asleep"- In Trousers
The best recording for me is the Broadway because I am on it.
As who?
poor bronx
Yeah, poor me, as if you even knew. I like to stay anonymous on the internet. This is my second personality.
I see
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/14/03
Riiiiight
Im not a huge LM fan, but Im kinda partial to the CSR.... just because Im kinda partial to one of the actresses on it
If in Heaven you don't excel, you can always party down in hell...
oh my god, Bronx is Steve Shockett!
"I wash my face, then drink beer, then I weep. Say a prayer and induce insincere self-abuse, till I'm fast asleep"- In Trousers
Sorry, bronx, didn't mean to pry. I just get excited. I'm (obviously) a huge fan of Les Mis.
CJR, are you waiting for someone to ask, or would you rather keep your secret?
hey bronx, if you are, I was totally bluffing. I just picked the 1st name I could think of from the original broadway cast. hey, you wouldn't happen to be Norman Large would u?
"I wash my face, then drink beer, then I weep. Say a prayer and induce insincere self-abuse, till I'm fast asleep"- In Trousers
You mean, Steve Shocket? Do you think I'm that old? lol Havn't heard that name in a while.
ugh, who cares - there isn't anyone on the recording worth spit
(well, except colm, i guess)
hey Steve is by far my favorite constable of all time! wouldn't you agree, Mr. Marcum?!!! eh? eh?
"I wash my face, then drink beer, then I weep. Say a prayer and induce insincere self-abuse, till I'm fast asleep"- In Trousers
Ok, for that I am not bringing back the Dracula avatar. lol
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