South Pacific (1967 Lincoln Center Cast) Review

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(More customer reviews)Even though SOUTH PACIFIC initially ran on Broadway for 1925 performances, won thirteen Tony Awards AND the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1950, and became a very successful motion picture (1958), it is the only major Rodgers and Hammerstein show that has never seen a Broadway revival. Go figure. In spite of the fact that I saw the movie version four times, I must confess that the score ranks number four with me, behind CAROUSEL, THE KING AND I, and OKLAHOMA! (I'm probably the only person in the world who doesn't like THE SOUND OF MUSIC!) That doesn't mean that I'm not a SOUTH PACIFIC fan. The final scene always hooks me. And I treasure the 1949 original cast album.
A few weeks ago I was reading John Kendrick's reviews (Musicals101.com) and came across the following: "The 1967 Lincoln Center Cast (Columbia) has not made it to CD, but for many years it was an excellent (and more complete) alternative to the Original Bway Cast. Giorgio Tozzi is a superb Emile, and Florence Henderson perfect as Nellie. Irene Byatt's Bloody Mary and Justin McDonough's Lt. Cable are thoroughly satisfying, as are the ensemble numbers. This production was overseen by Rodgers, so it is small wonder everything turned out so well. A real pleasure if you can find it." When I read that it was to be released (on August 29), I immediately pre-ordered my copy.
This recording is everything Mr. Kendrick says it is. It also benefits from stereo recording, even though it's not as lush and layered as the Lincoln Center recording of THE KING AND I. If Florence Henderson sounds a bit like Mary Martin, well . . . . (I caught Ms. Henderson's outstanding "Maria" in the National Tour of SOUND OF MUSIC. I didn't miss Mary Martin at all.) Georgio Tozzi is every bit as fine as Ezio Pinza, and he had already dubbed Rossano Brazzi's songs for the movie. Justin McDonough is fine, and Irene Byatt could be a vocal twin of Juanita Hall. The big bonus is Eleanor Calbes (Liat) singing a lovely French version of "Bali Ha'i."
My only reservation is that this recording lacks the sparkle of the `49 original cast. At times, the chorus and orchestra are just a little too smooth. But it's a very small complaint, and didn't keep me from thoroughly enjoying this recording. And, yes, I got a little chocked up during the final scene.
Just because I don't want Florence Henderson to remembered primarily for "The Brady Bunch," let me suggest the Sony studio recording of OKLAHOMA! (She was seventeen when she made her Broadway debut in WISH YOU WERE HERE; she was eighteen when she recorded her "Laurey.") If this recording of SOUTH PACIFIC is successful, perhaps Sony/BMG will reissue THE GIRL WHO CAME TO SUPPER (1963) and Harold Rome's marvelous FANNY (1954). In that show Ms. Henderson stars with -- would you believe? -- Ezio Pinza.
Highly Recommended.

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Les Miserables (Highlights from the Complete Symphonic International Cast Recording) Review

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(More customer reviews)I own this recording, plus the full cast 10th anniversary CD, and this one is my favorite by far. Gary Morris as Valjean does a superb job and puts more emotion into his singing than Wilkinson. His range is amazing, and his passion for this role is obvious. I also enjoyed Debbie Byrne as Fantine, and thought she did a great job. Aside from the fact that this is a "highlights" cd, this is my favorite recording of Les Miserables.

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Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (1991 London Revival Cast) Review

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(More customer reviews)Of the Joseph recordings I have heard, I feel compelled to say that this version with Jason Donovan in the eponymous title character is the best of all I've heard. The well-balanced cast gives an energetic performance of this Andrew Lloyd Webber score, even though the recording quality in some of the big production numbers is a little muddy that you cannot make out what is being sung. Nevertheless I feel this is an enjoyable and somewhat unbeatable recording of this well-loved score.
Jason Donovan gives a realistic portrayal of the eponymous dreamer-hero. Although his voice may not have the richness of Donny Osmond's portrayal, he acts the part convincingly and gives solid renditions of his songs. He really understands the essence of the character, and he never fails to incorporate this into his glossy polished performance. The fact that he performs the role with a sense of being naive gives him an edge over his contendors. Linzi Hateley as the Narrator is a real treat for the ears. She has the lung-power of the late-lamented Laurie Beechman of the Broadway cast, but she infuses her portrayal with charisma and a keen enjoyment of telling the story. Her intelligent portrayal of the Narrator is one of solid musical values and subtletly, as in the Act Two opener, Pharaoh Story.
Perhaps the most impressive part of this performance is David Easter's portrayal of the Elviessque Pharaoh. Not only does he give an authentic Elvis accent, but he really makes the part his own and includes a few touches of humour into his "Seven Fat Cows" song. Besides delivering a convincing Elvis impersonation, he acts the part and tickles the listener pink with his touches of humour, giving a deliciously ripe 3-D characterisation. The brothers, though they are more human on this recording than others, deliver powerful choral backings and make the most of their songs. Nicolas Colicos's "One More Angel," Philip Cox's "Canaan Days" and Johnny Amobi's "Benjamin Calypso" all resonate for an extremely long time in the memory. It's true that Nicolas Colicos and Philip Cox could be a little bit more authentic with his accent, but they are enjoyable standout potrayals nonetheless. Johnny Amobi's "Calypso,", I should say, is the best rendition of all those I've heard. The supporting chorus contribute superlative quality performances, though you can't hear them on some numbers, resulting from the slightly poor mixing job, that does not affect the high quality of the recorded sound. This doesn't matter as you can make out what they are singing, so keep the libretto booklet in handy. As for Aubrey Woods and his cameo appearances, he makes the parts of Jacob and Potiphar his own, and delivers an extremely fierce and powerful roar towards the end of Potiphar's song. The orchestrations are well done and well-characterised,. This is not as cheesy as some may think, as only two synthesisers were used.
Overall, I can safely say that because of the highest quality performance presented on this recording, if you want to buy just one record of this entertaining musical, you should make it this one. As much as I revere Donny Osmond's solid portrayal of Joseph, I know that nobody can ever go wrong with this solid, handsome and well-balanced interpretation that gives you a certain kind of spirit and atmosphere.

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Jesus Christ Superstar (1996 London Cast) Review

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(More customer reviews)Before you consider purchasing this, consider that there have been quite a few recordings of this piece of work. Naturally, one wonders, which of these is the best all around recording? That for one depends on your personal music tastes.
If you like late 60's/early 70's rock operas/concept albums (such as Tommy, Hair etc.) then I strongly suggest The original 1970 concept album. The concept album features Ian Gillan of Deep Purple as Jesus, Murray Head (One Night in Bangkok) as Judas and Yvonne Elliman (Saturday Night Fever Soundtrack) as Mary Magdalene. The musicians are primarily composed of Joe Cocker's Grease Band and Juicy Lucy. This version is true rock - no Broadway "Showtune" atmosphere on it. This version also is by far the most successful, being a number one album on the Billboard charts (in early 1971), and selling over three million copies.
If you're a fan of Motown recording artist Ben Vereen, I highly recommend The Original 1971 Broadway Cast Highlights Album (Available upon import from footlight music). While it features a rather average Jesus, Ben Vereen adds true soul and original interpretation to the role of Judas, such that is unmatched to this day.
The movie soundtrack, which I rank third in JCS recordings, features tremendous voices (a texan drummer with incredible passion and range as Jesus) but sounds as if it was recorded in a tin can (this refers even to the remastered version). Also, Jesus and Judas are played by the Broadway understudies in this version.
In Fourth place, comes this particular recording. A 1996 British studio album with Steve Balsamo, Zubin Varla, and Alice Cooper, it falls short of the aforementioned recordings. Of course, it is still an excellent recording in and of itself. The performances are passionate, deeply felt portrayals... However, I do get the feeling I'm listening to musical theatre actors pretending to be rock singers (Alice Cooper even sounds more showtunesy then you would think). There's also the fact that these particular singers/actors have borrowed a great deal of interpretation from the JCS albums of the past. I do appreciate the fact that they didn't try to "modernize" the music too much, but the slap bass in the Overture seems a little tacky (again, trying too hard to say "See, we showtunes people can do rock music too!") Sonically, this doesn't hold together as well as the above three.

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2005 Digitally Remastered (At Abbey Road Studios) Deluxe Edition of the Critically Acclaimed London 1996 Cast.--This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

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Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (1992 Canadian Cast) Review

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(More customer reviews)I have to admit, I purchased the CD of this version of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" mainly out of curiosity over Donny Osmond's performance as Joseph. Well, he is superb. His voice is clear and strong, and he delivers outstanding renditions of the character's songs. The rest of the cast in this, the 1992 Canadian version of this musical play, also does a fine job.
"Joseph," with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, is a consistently entertaining CD. The lyrics re-tell the story of the biblical patriarch Joseph (found in Genesis 37-45), and Rice sticks remarkably close to the source material. "Joseph" has many inventive and humorous touches (such as making the Pharaoh sing his part a la Elvis Presley, or having Joseph's brothers break out into a calypso song).
"Joseph" works because of its combination of a compelling story, clever lyrics, and superb music. If you have heard other CD versions but have not listened to this one, check it out.

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Les Miserables Complete Symphonic Recording Review

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(More customer reviews)I first became acquainted with this wonderful work before it was known of here in the USA through a copy I had ordered from England. Then, with the US Broadway production, the OBC release was added to my collection. Then, this one, and later, the dream cast version, and then the 10th anniversary edition. So, I have listened to a "few" versions of the work. I love them all. I love this one, perhaps, the most. I am heavily into opera and classical music, so I guess it is sort of natural that I would be drawn to the presentation of this great work with a complete orchestra behind it.
I feel that it is necessary, however, to own three versions of this wonderful musical play. First, the Original, London production. Second, the Original Broadway Edition, and lastly, This, the Symphonic Edition. They all three have their place, and, indeed, are all different, each begging for space on your shelves for very good reason.
If you are a purist, and can only have one, then, it must be the Original London Cast...period, end of discussion. But, if you are like me, and require different interpretations, etc., you will simply fall in love with all three of these recommended recordings.
When I state above that this is the greatest musical piece of theater ever, I certainly do, truly, believe this. Of all the dozens of plays I have seen on Broadway, of the hundreds I have listened to on LP and disc, watched on tape, LaserDics, and DVD, etc., NOTHING has EVER reached the Stratospheric Heights of this work. The only possible exception would be "Man of LaMancha" with Alan Jones, waaaay back, when I was a young man. It was my first Broadway Show, and this may be why I hold it so highly in my heart. (Everything gets held up to it for comparison, and most do not make the cut!)
Again, I urge you to add this recording to your collection...you will love it dearly. ~operabruin

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