Wild Party, Composer Question

[MRA]

Posted: 5/9/09 at 3:15pm

It is nice to read a thread on this subject that includes intelligent commentary.

My opinion is, while sharing source material, characters, even opening lines, these recordings should be considered and enjoyed as separate entities.

The first thing to note is that LaChuisa's version is a full recording of the show, while Lippa's is not. There are a few transitional pieces missing from the Lippa recording, including a key confrontational quartet between the leads.

LaChuisa's score is jazz, in style and scope. It is, as it is often described, "period appropriate". It is complex and best enjoyed in its entirety.

I will not use the word "poppy", but Lippa's version is easier to listen to casually. It is more accessible, but still has its own level of complexity. Yes, he includes an electric guitar, but he also includes layers of instrumentation and vocalization.

Each show has high points cast-wise, and it often comes down to personal preference of the vocalist as to which is recommended. Again, though, it is difficult to compare them head to head, because they share names but not characterizations. Not only are the actors often different in style and technique, the characters they play have different motivations and attitudes. (It makes a difference that the party is Burrs' idea in LaChiusa's while it is Queenie's idea in Lippa's.)

I own both, and prefer Lippa's. I much prefer Brian D'arcy James' Burrs to Mandy Patinkin's, both in character and performance. Also, although I think Toni Collette is ridiculously talented and under-appreciated in general, Julia Murney's Queenie wins for me. (And I believe that her version of Low Down, Down - which is the only head to head comparison we have - is better than Collette's.)

That being said, you should make your own call. Go ahead and get the Lippa version. Judge it for its own merits and version of the story, and your personal preferences.

[MRA]

Posted: 5/9/09 at 3:21pm

It is nice to read a thread on this subject that includes intelligent commentary.

My opinion is, while sharing source material, characters, even opening lines, these recordings should be considered and enjoyed as separate entities.

The first thing to note is that LaChuisa's version is a full recording of the show, while Lippa's is not. There are a few transitional pieces missing from the Lippa recording, including a key confrontational quartet between the leads.

LaChuisa's score is jazz, in style and scope. It is, as it is often described, "period appropriate". It is complex and best enjoyed in its entirety.

I will not use the word "poppy", but Lippa's version is easier to listen to casually. It is more accessible, but still has its own level of complexity. Yes, he includes an electric guitar, but he also includes layers of instrumentation and vocalization.

Each show has high points cast-wise, and it often comes down to personal preference of the vocalist as to which is recommended. Again, though, it is difficult to compare them head to head, because they share names but not characterizations. Not only are the actors often different in style and technique, the characters they play have different motivations and attitudes. (It makes a difference that the party is Burrs' idea in LaChiusa's while it is Queenie's idea in Lippa's.)

I own both, and prefer Lippa's. I much prefer Brian D'arcy James' Burrs to Mandy Patinkin's, both in character and performance. Also, although I think Toni Collette is ridiculously talented and under-appreciated in general, Julia Murney's Queenie wins for me. (And I believe that her version of Low Down, Down - which is the only head to head comparison we have - is better than Collette's.)

That being said, you should make your own call. Go ahead and get the Lippa version. Judge it for its own merits and version of the story, and your personal preferences.

[MRA]

Posted: 5/10/09 at 1:26pm

It is nice to read a thread on this subject that includes intelligent commentary.

My opinion is, while sharing source material, characters, even opening lines, these recordings should be considered and enjoyed as separate entities.

The first thing to note is that LaChuisa's version is a full recording of the show, while Lippa's is not. There are a few transitional pieces missing from the Lippa recording, including a key confrontational quartet between the leads.

LaChuisa's score is jazz, in style and scope. It is, as it is often described, "period appropriate". It is complex and best enjoyed in its entirety.

I will not use the word "poppy", but Lippa's version is easier to listen to casually. It is more accessible, but still has its own level of complexity. Yes, he includes an electric guitar, but he also includes layers of instrumentation and vocalization.

Each show has high points cast-wise, and it often comes down to personal preference of the vocalist as to which is recommended. Again, though, it is difficult to compare them head to head, because they share names but not characterizations. Not only are the actors often different in style and technique, the characters they play have different motivations and attitudes. (It makes a difference that the party is Burrs' idea in LaChiusa's while it is Queenie's idea in Lippa's.)

I own both, and prefer Lippa's. I much prefer Brian D'arcy James' Burrs to Mandy Patinkin's, both in character and performance. Also, although I think Toni Collette is ridiculously talented and under-appreciated in general, Julia Murney's Queenie wins for me. (And I believe that her version of Low Down, Down - which is the only head to head comparison we have - is better than Collette's.)

That being said, you should make your own call. Go ahead and get the Lippa version. Judge it for its own merits and version of the story, and your personal preferences.