Wicked - strange highlights CD

[Ravenclaw]

Posted: 4/6/20 at 4:11pm

Being isolated and unemployed, I found time recently to sort through some old CDs and I discovered in my collection a CD "Musical Highlights from the Hit Stage Play Wicked"--at first I assumed it was just the main tracks from the OBCR, but then I noticed that the disc said "Performed by the Musical Stage Company," and on the back, "Not the Original Soundtrack," which confused me. I wondered if this was some uncirculated recording of either the Chicago company or the first road company (I think this disc came into my possession from my sister, who would have probably bought it at the merchandise stand in Chicago in about 2006). I started listening to it, and it's laughably cheaply produced. I was hit at first by the tinny sound of terrible synth patches as the exclusive accompaniment, but then I realized I don't think they even went that far--I think it's just the Finale playback file serving as accompaniment. The singing is nothing to write home about, and the ensemble sounds like one male and one female voice singing each of the harmony parts with an ugly reverb effect added. The whole experience of the album is ridiculously amateur. But the packaging has a copyright on it, and it was purchased (as far as I know) by a reputable seller. Google searches are not helping me find any information on this, and it's not available at all digitally. I have so many questions--was Stephen Schwartz aware of this recording? Why would this be recorded? There's a perfectly fine OBCR that's only one disc, so a highlights version wouldn't save any printing costs as far as I know. This album just seems like such a scam, and I've never really heard of any other musical having a recording like this, but I've admittedly not looked into this world very deeply. Does anyone have any knowledge about this you'd like to share?

[veronicamae]

Posted: 4/6/20 at 4:23pm

It sounds a lot like some kind of rip-off karaoke-type CD. (Not that it's actually karaoke, but you know, that kind of thing.) It's quite possible the seller THOUGHT they were ordering the Wicked OBCR and ordered it by mistake, or the fulfillment center sent the wrong item.

Can you post a picture, front/back/disc?

[juice23]

Posted: 4/6/20 at 4:26pm

They sometimes sell the karaoke CDs they make with one disc of vocals and one of just the cheap backing tracks. I remember mh friend in high school had the avenue q one. SoMe times those companies then release the vocal track for extra money. They are usually pretty bad.

Sorry for typos... on my phone and this website hates me.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 4/6/20 at 4:43pm

The Musical Stage Company are basically studio singers. What you have is simply an inexpensive knock-off of no-name singers and musicians performing the score.

[Ravenclaw]

Posted: 4/6/20 at 4:51pm

Interesting insights, thank you. I don't know how to post pictures into the body of a post, but here are links:

https://i.imgur.com/2VfxOdE.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/YUjoaAH.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/EDVa2lE.jpg

[ljay889]

Posted: 4/6/20 at 5:44pm

I bought something like this of "Chicago" once, and it was dreadful. 

[sassylash3s]

Posted: 4/6/20 at 6:07pm

Miss Elphie is SERVING in that album artwork.

[Fosse76]

Posted: 4/6/20 at 7:11pm

These cheap recordings aren't anything new. I remember Phantom and Les Miz had a bunch of them in the 90s.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 4/6/20 at 9:37pm

There's one of Cats where Munkustrap sounds like Kermit the Frog. If you ever wanted to hear Kermit sing "Old Deuteronomy" I highly recommend it.

[Tag]

Posted: 4/6/20 at 10:28pm

The Musical Stage Company is quite a reputable theatre company in Toronto.  But I don't think this is them.

[disneybroadwayfan22]

Posted: 4/6/20 at 11:27pm

My college has its own tiny restaurant and they had this for HSM playing. It was awful. This CD is just like it.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 4/6/20 at 11:29pm

Tag said: "The Musical Stage Company is quite a reputable theatre company in Toronto. But I don't think this is them."

Nope.  Not the same.  This is a group of studio singers and musicians.