a Les Mis weekend

[Elphaba]

Posted: 8/19/06 at 11:29pm

Do you hear the people sing?
Singing a song of angry men?
It is the music of a people
Who will not be slaves again!
When the beating of your heart
Echoes the beating of the drums
There is a life about to start
When tomorrow comes!

Not only did I listen to the German cast recording last night, but I listened to the OBCR today, and I cannot get enough of this!

[greeneyed_one]

Posted: 8/19/06 at 11:33pm

I was lucky enough to see the final performance of the tour but now I am stumped as to which cast recording to purchase. There does not seem to be one definitive answer as to which is the best and I really can't afford to buy them all...

[Elphaba]

Posted: 8/19/06 at 11:35pm

well, I love the OBCR, and frankly I love the German cast recording I have.......I want this in french next if available.

[greeneyed_one]

Posted: 8/19/06 at 11:38pm

So you prefer OBCR over OLCR?

[Patronus]

Posted: 8/19/06 at 11:41pm

I prefer the OBC to the OLC, but I prefer the German and Complete Symphonic to either the OBC or OLC.

[greeneyed_one]

Posted: 8/19/06 at 11:43pm

Ahhh- see this is why I haven't bought one yet. (Plus I'm a libra so I have an excuse for not making up my mind)

[COOOOLkid]

Posted: 8/19/06 at 11:44pm

I think cast wise, 10th Anniversary Cast is the best, however, you should buy it on DVD instead of the CDs. Then, my favorite comes Red Japanese cast, Complete Symphonic Recording, Original London Cast, then Original Broadway cast.

Of course, they're my "overall" ranking, and some of the cast in some recordings are better (IMO) to that of the recordings I ranked above.

[Elphaba]

Posted: 8/19/06 at 11:48pm

I think I do like the OBCR better, but I DO like the german recording, frankly I may buy the OLC......I'm in that mood.

[greeneyed_one]

Posted: 8/19/06 at 11:50pm

Sorry if this is a dumb question but: is the German recording in German or is it just the German cast singing the English words?

[Unmasked05]

Posted: 8/19/06 at 11:53pm

I own the OBCR, OLC and the Compliete Symphonic Recording I prefer the Complete Symphonic Recording myself because its COMPLETE plus it comes with a special features on the disc.

[Patronus]

Posted: 8/19/06 at 11:53pm

It's in German.

I also like the Belgium recording and the French Concept album quite a bit.

I used to have nearly all of them on cassette actually and have no idea what happened to them. Updated On: 8/19/06 at 11:53 PM

[greeneyed_one]

Posted: 8/19/06 at 11:56pm

Thanks Patronus. So- any chance the new revival will release a cast recording? (Just what I need- another one to choose from : )

[Patronus]

Posted: 8/20/06 at 12:01am

I would say the odds are pretty good. Cameron McIntosh rarely turns down an opportunity to make a buck and the cast is so interesting.

I'd recommend getting one of the older recordings first though. The OLC and OBC are both quite good - I just prefer the Symphonic due to the fact that it is complete. It's 3 discs and has all the transition music and everything. The downside is that you don't get the staple performances of Colm Wilkinson, Patti Lupone, France Ruffelle etc.

BTW - thanks a lot Elphaba, now I am going to be listening to Les Mis all weekend. Updated On: 8/20/06 at 12:01 AM

[Unmasked05]

Posted: 8/20/06 at 12:13am

But with the Complete Symphonic Cast Recording you get:

Garry Morris as Valjean
Michael Ball (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Woman In White, The Phantom of The Opera) as Marius
Phillip Quast ( Evita: 2006 London Revival) as Javert
Debbie Bryne as Fantine
ANTHONY WARLOW (The Phantom of The Opera, Jekyll and Hyde)

[Patronus]

Posted: 8/20/06 at 12:18am

Which is really part of the reason that I prefer the Symphonic...but someone who is just getting into Les Mis and owning their first recording may want some of those more known renditions. By "staple" I meant more that they are were the more "recognized" versions, not necessarily the best. Anthony Warlow in particular is fantastic on the Symphonic. I actually like Morris' Valjean better than Wilkinson since it isn't so "stylized" vocally.

Personally, the best way to go (assuming you aren't up for the non-Engligh recordings yet) is to go with the OBC, Symphonic and 10th Anniversary DVD.

I see the Symphonic recording quite often at my local used CD shop for around $15-$18 which isn't bad for a 3 disc set.
Updated On: 8/20/06 at 12:18 AM

[greeneyed_one]

Posted: 8/20/06 at 12:22am

On the tour they were selling the Symphonic recording for $75, I believe. That seemed a little steep for my eyes (and wallet). Thanks for the advice by the way.

[smartpenguin78]

Posted: 8/20/06 at 12:26am

The Symphonic sounds intiguing but I almost always recommend the "original" version of a show, even if it is woefully inadequate.
Which neither of these OCRs are.

OLCR is my preference, but that may be because I heard it first and most often.

[Patronus]

Posted: 8/20/06 at 12:26am

Yeah, that is absurd.

Here is a link to half.com where sellers have them in the $22 range:
http://product.half.ebay.com/Les-Miserables-Complete-Symphonic-Recording-Box-ECD_W0QQtgZinfoQQprZ30743689

[Unmasked05]

Posted: 8/20/06 at 12:36am

I bought my Symphonic Recording for $17 bucks used here at COCONUTS in Alabama. At Barnes and Nobles its like $35.

[greeneyed_one]

Posted: 8/20/06 at 12:40am

Patronus I think your avatar has changed about 5 times in the last 45 minutes. I keep thinking your a different poster. lol

[Patronus]

Posted: 8/20/06 at 12:40am

Yeah, that is par for the course with me. I am trying to find something to get settled on.

[greeneyed_one]

Posted: 8/20/06 at 12:44am

Just clicked on your myspace sight- I love the L5Y music! My favorite song too!

[Patronus]

Posted: 8/20/06 at 12:49am

Ah, thanks. Feel free to send me a friend request on both that one and on the Sunset & 42nd site.

Oh - I am sticking with this avatar... at least until morning. :)

[greeneyed_one]

Posted: 8/20/06 at 12:55am

I would friend you but unfortunately I do not have a myspace (it scares me).
So who is the lovely lady in your avatar?

[Patronus]

Posted: 8/20/06 at 1:29am

Asia Argento.