Woman in White Cast Recording

[chino]

Posted: 4/11/07 at 10:15pm

Hello.

I was not able to see the show, so I am deciding if I should buy the Cast Recording or not? Is it worth to listen to?

Thanks in Advance

GOD BLESS

[broadwaybelter]

Posted: 4/11/07 at 10:38pm

It's definitley an acquired taste. In my personal opinion, it is very difficult to appreciate the score as it is recorded on the cd; it is greatly lacking without a live performance. As I recall, it is a little more expensive than your average cast recording. I'd reccommend renting it at your local library and listening to it rather than purchasing it.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 4/11/07 at 10:44pm

It's not an acquired taste.

It's probably like a dead rat in your apartment that you can't find. It smells really awful, but the longer it stays there, the most used to the smell you get. Before you know it, you don't smell anything horrible anymore.

Get the recording if you are a collector and/or if you are really curious about the show. It's not expensive. Personally, I thought THE WOMAN IN WHITE was a horrid show with a horrid score.

[[e-mail]]

Posted: 4/11/07 at 10:56pm

The Woman in White recycles every song you wish Andrew Lloyd Webber never wrote without including any you wish he had.

The only redeemable part is the Tenor psuedo-aria in the second act which sounds like the worst "cut" tenor song Steven Flaherty or Alan Menken ever wrote. Instead, it's the high point of this despicable score by ALW.

I'm an ALW fan, I love the score of Sunset Boulevard and think Evita has some really interesting moments, this score just lacks anything redeemable.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 4/11/07 at 10:57pm

Well said.

[AnotherDay46]

Posted: 4/11/07 at 10:57pm

I really liked it... I thought it was a great show, and I do like the CD. It just depends what you're into I suppose..

[cathywellerstein]

Posted: 4/11/07 at 11:03pm

Some people hate it.

I personally loved the score. If you're a big fan of Webber I would recommend it.

The first time I listened to it, I listened to it all the way through and read along with the libretto.

I found it very enjoyable.

But again, it's a matter of personal taste.

If you have the extra money to spend on it, go for it.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 4/11/07 at 11:30pm

I like it!

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 4/11/07 at 11:37pm

I like it. If you're not already a fan of Webber this score will definitely not change your mind. It's classic Webber up to his usual tricks. Sort of a throwback to Phantom and Sunset. It's a good story. Hunting and with a surprise twist ending.

[Londonskyguy]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 1:03am

Saw the show in London,, loved it , bought the recording hated it.. Then saw the show again, and after that loved the recording,, I guess its one of those shows that you had to see,, if even a few times to appreciate it.

[B3TA07]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 1:06am

"I Close My Eyes And I Still See His Face" was pretty.


That's kinda it.

[nomdeplume]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 1:22am

I liked the show and thought the music was good but the book needed some plot work. Probably should have opened here in a smaller theatre.

Is the cast recording the London version?

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 1:26am

I like it too. I loved the show, but I didn't get it till I saw it for the 2nd time.

[thtrbear]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 1:34am

I like the show, think there are some excellent songs, haunting moments, good and atmospheric orchestrations, bravura moments including Maria Friedman's go-for-broke phrasing of "Iiii close my eyes" at the very end.

In general, I get whatever cast albums I can from the library before buying them. There is also interlibrary loan if your local library doesn't have it.

[LuPonatic]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 1:38am

The cast recording is the london cast. I particularly enjoyed Fosco's songs. The recording gives a good sense of the show, I thought. I also followed along with the libretto and enjoyed it. I also enjoyed it when I saw it in New York. It is not one of my favorites, however.

[jo]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 1:43am

>>>it is greatly lacking without a live performance.<<<

From the album notes of the London cast recording ( only one produced) --

"This cast album was taken live at the Opening Night Performance of The Woman in White, 15 September 2004"


This is one of my favourite musical scores from Andrew Lloyd Webber, so I would recommend it for its sense of romanticism and lyrical quality. It is also a haunting score because the subject matter deals with some of the dark side of Victorian times.

The album comes with a copy of the libretto so it would be easy to follow the book and musical score. It is a sung-through musical.

Posted: 4/12/07 at 1:57am

I hatethat it's a live recording. I dunno as a somewhat ALW fan I'm a bit shocked to see it so hated--I remember when it came out, I wasn't on here but I was a regular on the Sondheim forum of all places and many seemed to think it was his most interesting thing in a while but it seems to be a score people liek LESS as time goes on (as they did the show--it got, in London, pretty good reviews initially)

If you're a big ALW fan and can afford it, go and find out for yourself

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 3:35am

I guess one should take a listen just for the achievement of the "live theatre/studio recording" thing. It is live, but they did just about everything they could to make it not sound live including rerecording the end or all of any song that had applause or laughter on the track. They might as well have just recorded a dress rehearsal, ya know? Still it would be neat if more shows did live recordings as it is cheaper to not have to rent a studio. But, not all shows have the advantage of playing in a theatre with a recording studio in the basement.

Posted: 4/12/07 at 3:47am

Yeah that's what I don't get--why do it live then? I admit it has very good sound but, I dunno. It sounds hypocritical as a theatre fan but I dislike live recordings--with my fave pop stars as well I just don't care for them.

Ironically I *hate* "fake live" DVDs, like Cats or Oklahoma where they restage a stage show on a soundstage (or with Oklahoma dub in a fake audience--ridiculous) for filmed concerts and theatre I'd rather it was done with an audience.

That said I suppose if it means shows are beign recorded that owuldn't be normally I'm all for it but I doubt Woman wouldn't have been recorded... BTW what was the total UK run for it? DId it outlast Beautiful Game or is it less?
Updated On: 4/12/07 at 03:47 AM

[kec]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 3:50am

I definitely think it's worth a purchase. I loved the show when I saw it for the first time in London, and bought the cd the next day. Love the songs, especially I BELIEVE MY HEART*, A GIFT FOR LIVING WELL, YOU CAN GET AWAY WITH ANYTHING. I found the music haunted me for days after seeing the show and listening to the recording.

My only quibble is that I would have preferred a recording with Michael Ball as Fosco instead of Crawford -- not that MC is bad, but I much preferred MB's take on the role. But I do love the rest of the cast on the recording, especially Maria Friedman, Jill Paice and Martin Crewes.

*edited to fix song title
Updated On: 4/12/07 at 03:50 AM

[Becky2]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 7:24am

I love the album, but it took me a while to come to love it. When I first listened to it, the only song that really stood out for me was "All for Laura." But after listening to it a few more times, the whole thing really began to grow on me.

[tazber]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 8:19am

Becky, I totaly agree with that. All For Laura is the only song that I remembered after one listen. It does grow on you, and I have come to enjoy it, but it is not his best.
That being said, Evermore Without You is a lovely melody.

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 8:47am

"Love the songs, especially I BELIEVE IN YOU"

I think it's "I Believe my Heart"

I didn't even know it was a live taping of the show. I've heard it about 50 times and never noticed. The sound is as if it was recorded in a studio.

[musical_devotee]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 8:52am

Being an ALW fan, I got it, but it's not among my favorite ALW scores.

It has few nice songs (All for Laura, Evermore without you...) but on the whole it's flat. I was quite dissapointed when I first heard it. It does improve a bit with a repeated listening.

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 8:55am

Yes, I didn't love it the 1st time I listened to it. But I love "Lammastide" and some other songs, Maria Friedman does a fine job with most of her songs. I love the CD.