Why is the Sweeney CD so Incomplete?

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 5:13pm

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.

[aspiringactress]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 5:19pm

I agree...BUT! the happy feelings that I've had ever since I got the CD have not quite subsided so I will remain in my corner and continue to listen. Le sigh...the preformances are amazing. I wish City on Fire was on the CD. Do you have any particular songs you wish they had included?

Updated On: 2/2/06 at 05:19 PM

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 5:20pm

I'm always partial to Parlor Songs

[BSoBW3]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 5:21pm

Yes.
I am just pissed about Parlor Songs. Consider it a rampage.

I loved its darker nature now. And they didn't include it.

[aspiringactress]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 5:22pm

I miss Parlor Songs as well.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 5:24pm

For me, the CD has a disjointed feeling that doesn't reflect the live performance. Of course, I'm happy to have it, but at 2 discs, they could have put more material on it. The cuts are weird.

[C is for Company]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 5:25pm

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

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 5:27pm

They also cut a big chunk of Pirelli's music, too.

[GYPSY1527]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 5:34pm

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....

[ljay889]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 5:42pm

The word going around is that they originally planned to have it as one disc. But it would equal out to 88 minutes, and that wouldn't fit on one disc. So they had to make it two discs.

There really isn't that much missing. CITY ON FIRE being the real major cut. There is some nice dialogue included not found on the OBC.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 6:07pm

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.

[InTheRed]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 6:15pm

C is for company - here here!!!
I was looking forward to looping Manoel Felciano's SOLO of "city on fire" over and over and over again! :)
Grrrr to whoever finalized THAT omission.

Duh!

BTW: I dont' think the discs "flow properly" at all.

[Katurian2]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 6:17pm

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!

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 6:33pm

To anyone whose seen the show, is it mostly sung through? it seems it is. why not just record the entire show a la Dessa Rose?

[jacobtsf]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 6:34pm

because that costs more money.

[ljay889]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 6:36pm

There is quite a bit of dialogue in Sweeney. I would not say it's a sung through show.

[C is for Company]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 6:55pm

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.

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

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 7:26pm

Well why would they record the entire show of Dessa Rose - a show that didn't get that many good reviews and didn't last that long - instead of recording a show like Sweeny which got outstanding reviews, will win all its Tonys, and will turn a profit? Doesn't make sense.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 7:28pm

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.

[Katurian2]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 7:45pm

Well, the show has a very good chance of closing after its leas leave. It's not easy to replace actors in a show like Sweeney- the revival.

[C is for Company]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 7:51pm

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...

[sfboy20]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 8:10pm

It is entirely possible that while planning to make the CD a single disc, and looking for what could be cut, "City On Fire was cute since it might be tremendously difficult for them to record.

In the production, the cast is moving about the stage quite frantically, each playing several different instruments and singing.

I am quite impressed how they were able to make such a great recording with the "jigsaw puzzle" that is the staging and orchestrating. That said, I don't feel it truly captures the production as well I wanted it to: specifically, I wished they could have elimated the pauses in between tracks so the songs flow directly into one another, like in the theatre.

But I'm thankful, nonetheless, that it was recorded.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 8:54pm

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.

[ljay889]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 8:56pm

I don't feel it truly captures the production as well I wanted it to


- I absolutely agree. I am too thankful it was recorded though.

[TargemQ8]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 8:57pm

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.