Best Hello Dolly

[LMcC95]

Hi,

I am very excited for the new hello dolly and i want to listen to the cd. Which cast recording is the best?

[Valentina3]

PalJoey would tell you to listen to 1967 all-Black Broadway replacement cast album for all Dolly songs. I'd listen to PalJoey when he says that. Apart from that, I'd recommend the original broadway cast album for all other songs. You can listen to the movie cast album too which is cleaner recording, but I'm sure the new revival will have songs cut from the original stage show when the movie was made.

[Dollypop]

As someone who has about a dozen recordings of the show, I would recommend the abc. Yes, there are cuts in the score and dance arrangements are missing, but there's an energy that you won't find on other recordings. The reason for this might be Channing's insistence that the cast go through their physical movements while singing. She said that it would reflect in their vocal chords. 

My second favorite is the French cast album with Annie Cordy as Dolly.