new sweeney cd

It definitely would be better if you saw the show. But if that's not an immediately viable option, then I would suggest listening to it another couple of times. When I saw the show, it completely forced memories of the original production out of my mind. It was as though I was watching it for the first time again. Therefore, when I listened to the new cast recording, I judged it on its own merit and did not feel compelled to compare it to the OBC recording. If you give it repeated listenings, you will hear how intricate and inventive the orchestrations are. I think they don't so much truncate the music, as they put it on an entirely different playing field. There is so much nuance that can be heard for the first time to Sondheim's score that was rapped up or blended in the large and lush orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick.

I think the same goes for the performances. Cerveris is definitely not my favorite Sweeney vocally, but his performance is really astounding live. Since I saw it, I can definitely get into his performance on the cd as well. Yes - he comes off as a bit over-the-top and affected on the recording, but actually live - he is much more truthful and subtle than you could ever imagine. Patti, in my opinion, has never sounded better. She handle's all of Lovett's songs with such ease and style. She really has reinvented the role. The rest of the cast is just awesome. My personal favorites are Anthony and Johanna. They are totally the real thing - not just cardboard cut outs. And Pirelli is just astounding.

If you take the time, there definitely is richness to be beheld.

Updated On: 1/26/06 at 10:41 AM

I'm so jealous of you all for seeing this show. I've never wanted to see a single production so bad in my life. Probably because I know this show will never tour and this is one of those once in a lifetime type productions. ugh.

Just saw the packaging.... wait until you see it... it's really nice. Lots of pictures.

children&art- I agree with you. I downloaded my fav songs (A Little Priest, Not While I'm Around, etc.) and I didn't like them nearly as much as the OBC. Maybe it's the small amount of instruments that bothered me, but the all around "aura" of the cd is not what I would've expected Sweeney Todd to be like. I feel no need to see it now...

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okay listened to it again. still not fully convinced.

patti definitely plays a cooler, calmer, but just as disturbing mrs. lovett. love michael's disinterest during "by the sea". and "not while i'm around" is splendid.

but...maybe it would help, i dont know, if since i havent seen the show, if i knew the concept. i have heard of white coffins, mental institutions, prop wall like in "my own wife". is it tobias' recounting of the events to doctors in the insane asylum?

oh, and a final note. i'm sure it is more dramatic onstage but when sweeney discovers who the beggar woman really is, it kind was flat and empty whereas before i remember getting chills at that part.

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"oh, and a final note. i'm sure it is more dramatic onstage but when sweeney discovers who the beggar woman really is, it kind was flat and empty whereas before i remember getting chills at that part."

I haven't listened to that on the CD yet....in fact, I'm only half-way through disc one. On stage, though, I remember it falling flat, only because I could barely hear the dialogue.