National Theatre FOLLIES Cast Recording To Drop Tomorrow

[ljay889]

Am I the only one who didn't realize they made a cast recording??

Not expecting much from the vocals, obviously, but I'm still excited!

A new recording of Follies ls always welcomed. 

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/National-Theatre-FOLLIES-Cast-Recording-To-Drop-Tomorrow-20190117

[qolbinau]

They did announce it, but for some odd reason it was never released. Did they need that long to try and fix Staunton's awful vocals of "In Buddy's Eyes" and (especially) "Too Many Mornings?" She made Bernadette sound like Audra McDonald. 

[JBC3]

Why would we not expect much from the vocals? I saw this three times and many of the vocals were outstanding, especially Philip Quast. And Staunton was fine.

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Is it going to be a proper cast recording or are they taking audio from the NT Live broadcast? (Similar to what happened with the tour cast recording for Love Never Dies.)

[Jarethan]

This is one I am definitely skipping.  I have enough Follies recordings and, while I liked the taped recording of the show, I was not impressed with any of the singing other than Quest's, and the Ben /Sally songs have bored me for decades.  I guess I never loved them (unlike most of the score)and just listened to them too many times.  I even have one digital recording set to skip Too Many Mornings and one other, that I am forgetting right this minute.

[IdinaBellFoster]

A new recording of FOLLIES is always welcome. Ill give it a listen, but from what Ive heard already Staunton really butchered the score.

[RippedMan]

Anywhere to watch online?

[ljay889]

The album is now streaming on Apple Music. Its a studio recording, and it sounds pretty good. Though, I am shocked that they cut the Overture (cast entrances.)

[bwayboy22]

I tried searching on iTunes to make a purchase, but all that comes up for Follies is the OBC, the 1985 Concert, the 2011 Revival, and the OLC. :/

[danny10086]

Try searching Stephen Sondheim - it should come up.

[qolbinau]

I found it difficult to find, too. I searched Follies National and found it that way.

[qolbinau]

That end of the last note on Losing My Mind, lol. Staunton playing Rose playing Sally just before it segues into Roses Turn.

Although being fair, to me her Losing My Mind is vocally her most successful song. I like that she reaches and somewhat holds that brighttt lower note, too. For some reason both Victoria Clark (post-encores) and Bernadette were rather inconsistent about holding this note.

[Erzlump]

They might have held of the recording for Follies return to the National beginning Feb 12th? Still weird as the cast is not necessarily the same as it was back when. 

I wonder if they'll make a Blu Ray / DVD of the filmed performance though? 

 

[JBC3]

GiantsInTheSky2 said: "Is it going to be a proper cast recording or are they taking audio from the NT Live broadcast? (Similar to what happened with the tour cast recording for Love Never Dies.)"

It's a studio recording.

[Joviedamian]

Sadly, not really into it. Theres no real panache behind it!!

[raddersons]

FYI this is on Spotify too.

[ljay889]

Wow, Too Many Mornings is particularly rough. Quast is holding back in the lowered key and Staunton cant even make an impact. The song also loses its soaring feeling in the lowered key.

Im not completely finished with the recording yet, but the actor playing Buddy is making the best impression for me so far.

This is definitely down there with the original London recording on the list of Follies recordings, though Ill always put the original score above the London revisal.

[CATSNYrevival]

Not sure what to think of this recording. I didn't hate the filmed version, but I had no real desire to hear this cast sing the score again. Beyond the original Broadway cast recording and the Broadway revival cast recording the other Follies cast albums don't get much play from me. After giving it a listen this one will likely be the same.

[Wildcard]

The recording I downloaded from iTunes keeps skipping 

Edit: Nevermind, re-downloaded it

[qolbinau]

The more I think about it, the more overrated this production seems to me. Awful singing. And while yes, it looked nice (except when it came to the lackluster Loveland reveal) - it also felt very very literal and real as opposed to something a little bit mysterious, ghostly, eerie. 

Please, take me back.

http://arts.wp.htcreative.com/files/2013/12/BernadettePetersFollies.jpg

[ljay889]

I didnt even attempt to see the filmed version of this.
I know Sondheim adores Imelda, but Sally in transposed keys it just not for me. Even Judith Ivey who isnt a strong singer managed to sing the original keys.
BPs performance is underrated, in my opinion. She received raves from most critics (including Brantley) and you could tell she worked her tail off to sing those original keys. She also never missed a performance in DC or on Broadway. She delivered a thoughtful performance in a Sally centric production.

[phan24]

Just finished listening and sadly its nothing special. It is a studio recording, but odd. During some songs I thought somehow I had started playing the latest revival recording so I had to check my phone to be sure. The orchestrations and vocals dont seem like anything new or exciting was attempted, so theres no reason to listen to this over the 2011 revival.

With that said, I DID love this production on film and consider it as good as the 2011 revival.

[Gizmo6]

Having sat in the second row of the Olivier Theatre at the National and loved this production. 

The recording sounds like I saw a different production. 

[JBC3]

Gizmo6 said: "Having sat in the second row of the Olivier Theatre at the National and loved this production.

The recording sounds like I saw a different production."

Agree 100%. I thought it was thrilling live and saw it three times, but the recording feels flat. Perhaps the staging (which I generally found superior to the Broadway revival) and the revolve brought things to life.

It will be interesting to see what happens on stage in a few weeks when the show reopens with some cast changes. I am seeing it twice during previews.

[Gizmo6]

JBC3 said: "Gizmo6 said: "Having sat in the second row of the Olivier Theatre at the National and loved this production.

The recording sounds like I saw a different production."

Agree 100%. I thought it was thrilling live and saw it three times, but the recording feels flat. Perhaps the staging (which I generally found superior to the Broadway revival) and the revolve brought things to life.

It will be interesting to see what happens on stage in a few weeks when the show reopens with some cast changes. I am seeing it twice during previews."

Joanna Riding will be sublime no doubt I hope I can get to see her.