*Its complete *Dosen't cost a first born child *(Presumably) Has all the changes made up to that point *Its in English *I can stand the clapping *Its also the "dream cast"
That's why I have the one I have, haven't heard any others.
I have several names, one is Julian2. I am also The Opps Girl. But cross me, and I become Bitch Dooku!
The 10th anniversary concert is not the complete show, but the selection is much closer to the full show than either the London or Broadway recording. I second the recommendation--it has most of the show, and unlike most other Les Mis casts, there are no obvious weak spots in the performers. Usually you get a couple people who suck, but the concert one is all-around pretty good.
(By the way, there are twenty-six different Les Mis cast recordings. Only five are in English.)
Updated On: 6/21/07 at 04:32 PM
That's what they call it, but it was made up not entirely of people's first choices. Whose dream? The dream of whoever said, "Let's get some people who are available."
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
If you don't want the 1991 Paris Revival Cast (which I STRONGLY recommend--best Eponine I've ever heard), my money is on the CSR. It actually IS the full score, the chorus is fantastic, the orchestra is impeccible, and a lot of the performers are amazing. Gary Morris is a fine trade off for Colm Wilkinson, Philip Quast is the best Javert there is, and it has ANTHONY WARLOW.
True, Kaho Shimida and Tracy Shayne leave something to be desired. But the bonuses of this recording far outweigh the negatives.
"You're the worst thing to happen to musical theatre since Andrew Lloyd Webber!" --Family Guy
"Shut up! It's been 29 years!!!" --the incomparable Patti LuPone in her MUCH DESERVED Tony acceptance speech for Gypsy.
Kitzy's Avatar du Jour: Kitzy as Little Red Ridinghood in her college's production of "Into the Woods"
im not sure there is a les mis recording available that i have thoroughly enjoyed.
There are a few Les Mis recordings out there where all the performers are fantastic--or at least where nobody stands out as being worse than the others. But one is in Swedish, one is in German, one is in French, one is in Flemish...
(And of the above-named, I'm going to join in everyone else in recommending the French revival recording. The Belgian, Swedish, and German casts all have very pretty and very forgettable voices; the French one has character. And Louise Pitre and Robert Marien are worth the price of the recording all on their own.)
If you want a good representation of the full score I say get the 10 Anniversary cast since most of the cuts made reflect the cuts as the show is now anyway, but also its great to have the complete symphonic CD because it's just that. It's "practically" complete.
Probably because they were doing it outside Australia. Now, I love me some Anthony Warlow, but I am constantly frustrated by his happiness in his home continent (and occasional trawls around Asia). Won't you please take pity on the northern hemisphere, Mr. Warlow? PLEASE come to London! Or at least New York, I'd fly to New York to see you. But Australia is just a little *too* far for me.
The one time Anthony Warlow was supposed to perform in London (with Ruthie Henshall!) he got sick on the plane and the show was canceled. Woe.
This was years ago -- I read it in his (printed) newsletter.
The reason he couldn't do the TAC was because the Aussie Secret Garden was still new and couldn't lose both Warlow AND Quast at the same time. So they spared Quast instead.
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
No matter what, you have to get that Paris Recording. Its simply the best Les Miserables Recording. As for the enlgish recordings, eliminate the Brodway. Choose between the 10th or CSR. The 10th Aniversary Recording has great performances though, and there's always something special when its live. :)
While I curiously have no great love for the TAC, it continuously warms my heart to know that the Paris recording is as universally-appreciated as it is.
I have the OLCR, 10th Ann. and Full Symph. I think The Full Symph is the best (orchestrally without a doubt, other facets, perhaps not). I like Kaho Shimada. Although her diction isn't great, her voice is nice. Quast is a master. Gary Morris is my main problem, he tries far too hard t be Wilkinson, and he just isn't. Warlow is brilliant, and even the details are lovely, Ross McCall is a delight as Gavroche.
The rain we knew is a thing of the past -
deep-delving, dark, deliberate you would say
browsing on spire and bogland; but today
our sky-blue slates are steaming in the sun,
our yachts tinkling and dancing in the bay
like racehorses. We contemplate at last
shining windows, a future forbidden to no one.
Derek Mahon
"Maybe all one can do is hope to end up with the right regrets."
For me, Kaho Shimada is the greatest weakness of the CSR. Regardless of her accent, her nasally tone, fluttery vibrato, and constant scooping are just as intolerable in her native Japanese. And, since she didn't speak English at the time of the recording, she has no sense of phrasing or musicality. She sticks out like a sore thumb.
Then again, I'm in the minority who actually likes Gary Morris, so whatcha gonna do?