Why is the Sweeney CD so Incomplete?

Most of the score could have easily fit onto 2 discs, but instead they put only 40ish minutes of material on each disc? Is there some weird reason for this? In a production that is all about the music, it seems to be an odd choice.

I'm always partial to Parlor Songs

I miss Parlor Songs as well.

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No City on Fire=Cd broken in my driveway after having thrown it out my window upon discovery.
WHY they would choose to cut probably the most dynamic change in orchestrations will baffle me until I ask somebody involved with the recording session. It is my favorite song and it was so great in the revival. Plus Parlor Songs took which was given new life was also completely disregarded

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For me, I could live without the Parlor Song. yeah its humerous (How many bells are there?) but what really got me was cutting Pirelli's part in the The Contest. I was listening to it on Monday and literally gasped when it went right to Sweeney's dialogue. Not having City on Fire was also disappointing but we do have portions of it so....

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Yes, but the cuts made are crucial to making the discs flow properly. What I love about the OBC, is it is mostly complete, and has a theatrical feel. This disc seems more of a souvenir for those who saw this production.

I think the discs flow well, but I was furious that "City on Fire" was cut. It's not like this is production that will be here for a long time. People will still see the show if you add in one stupid song!!! ARGH!

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because that costs more money.

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And whatever dialogue there was, half felt cut for this revival. I think the show was almost concert-like, they comepletely did away with many classic moments (ex. "To tell you the truth ma'am, it gets awfully hot" with Toby and Lovett in the pie shop) I just wish that since this recording was so unique, it would be more complete.
I'm glad I'm not the only one disgruntled over the fact that we don't hear any John Arbo with Donna scraping away with the scissors or Johanna frantic "Will we be married on Sunday thats what you promised married on Sunday...that was last August! Kiss me!" and Manoel randomly starting it off as a solo. Plus the orchestrations were so wild, I loved the changes! I honestly was mostly awaiting the cd to hear it, I love excitingly dramatic moments building up to the climax of the show. I do not feel enough tension can be built up on the cd when it goes from Not While I'm Around to "Where is she? Where is the girl?". Just doesn't work. Its overall a pretty mediocre cd, I wouldn't blame people who feel hesitant to see it after hearing it. That is unless you are a Sweeney fan or afficianado of Sondheim.
But trust me, it will ALWAYS be worth seeing something so profound.

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Updated On: 2/2/06 at 06:55 PM

Well...Dessa Rose was a limited engagement, that they knew was closing at the time of recording. It is a new show, and works best as a complete recording.

Sweeney has 2 other recordings, 2 DVD's, and isn't brand new. Plus, the show is still running, so they likely didn't want to record every note, in fear of people choosing the cast recording over the live experience.

After seeing it 3 times, I wouldn't mind seeing some new takes, most notably for Sweeney and although I love Diana, I love the more typical take on the Beggar Woman. Replacements at this point for me would be a little desirable...

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sfboy, that's what i was wondering. i didn't know if it was hard to tell when one track starts and the other begins.

I also agree that this show will probably close when Patti and Michael leave, I can't imagine finding replacements.

I think this is a long shot, but there may be a chance the full show was recorded, and the "highlights" alone released. Like a "special edition DVD", they could release the full recording at a later date if the demand is there.
This seems unlikely, given the niche market, but it seems even stranger to me that a show where the music is paramount would have highlights alone.

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