Best Anything Goes Recording?

orangeskittles Profile Photo
orangeskittles
#1Best Anything Goes Recording?
Posted: 10/14/07 at 9:29pm

There are quite a few out there, so I thought I'd ask for recommendations.


Like a firework unexploded
Wanting life but never knowing how

jv92 Profile Photo
jv92
#2re: Best Anything Goes Recording?
Posted: 10/14/07 at 9:34pm

I really enjoy the 1987 LTC revival recording with Patti LuPone, but 1962 Off-Broadway one is enjoyable too.

Amneris Profile Photo
Amneris
#2re: Best Anything Goes Recording?
Posted: 10/14/07 at 9:36pm

I definately 2nd Patti's version. It's so much more upbeat and fun.

Smaxie Profile Photo
Smaxie
#3 re: Best Anything Goes Recording?
Posted: 10/14/07 at 9:40pm

I do like the performances and some of the song inclusions in the 1962 version, but those orchestrations are so graceless.

HONK BLATT!
"You're the top!"
BEEP DEEP BA DONK THUNK BRAAP!
"You're the Coliseum!" etc.


Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end: then stop.

jewishboy Profile Photo
jewishboy
#4 re: Best Anything Goes Recording?
Posted: 10/14/07 at 9:50pm

Yeah, I guess Patti's overalli is the best way to go.

misschung
#5 re: Best Anything Goes Recording?
Posted: 10/14/07 at 9:52pm

lol, so true Smaxie.

I think Patti's version is probably the best I've heard, if you're a fan of her voice.


The morning star always gets wonderful bright the minute before it has to go --doesn't it?

keatonbynumbers Profile Photo
keatonbynumbers
#6 re: Best Anything Goes Recording?
Posted: 10/14/07 at 10:34pm

Smaxie, that's SCARILY accurate.

I'm partial to the 1988 (1987? Whatever) with Patti recording, but the studio cast from 1988 (the one with Kim Criswell) is definitely, definitely worth having.

Also, I may be lying about the year, I don't know if it's 1988.

misschung
#7 re: Best Anything Goes Recording?
Posted: 10/14/07 at 10:36pm

Yeah, it's 1988. The studio cast is okay, but I prefer the orchestrations on the '88 revival


The morning star always gets wonderful bright the minute before it has to go --doesn't it?

defyingravity11 Profile Photo
defyingravity11
#8 re: Best Anything Goes Recording?
Posted: 10/14/07 at 10:41pm

Another vote for Patti!


"In theater, the process of it is the experience. Everyone goes through the process, and everyone has the experience together. It doesn't last - only in people's memories and in their hearts. That's the beauty and sadness of it. But that's life - beauty and the sadness. And that is why theater is life." - Sherie Rene Scott

masterthes
#9 re: Best Anything Goes Recording?
Posted: 10/14/07 at 10:52pm

Another nod to the one with Patti

umgeoboy Profile Photo
umgeoboy
#10 re: Best Anything Goes Recording?
Posted: 10/14/07 at 10:53pm

Ok I'm going to be different. I definitely vote against the Patti recording. She does not clearly sing any of the words and it is a big mush. If you like clever Cole Porter lyrics, which I am a huge fan, this is not the best recording for you. If you like pretty music then yeah teh orchestrations are better. I still go with the original offbroadway cast recording!


"Judy Garland, Jimmy Dean, You tragedy Queen" ~ Taboo

"Watching a frat boy realize just what he put his d!ck in...ex's getting std's...schadenfruede" ~ Ave Q

"when dangers near, exploit their fear" ~ Reefer Madness the Musical

Smaxie Profile Photo
Smaxie
#11 re: Best Anything Goes Recording?
Posted: 10/14/07 at 11:05pm

Simple option for those that want the better arrangements of the '87 revival, but without Patti Lupone. Buy the '89 London revival, which has Howard McGillin and Elaine Paige, singing all of her consonants.


Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end: then stop.
Updated On: 10/15/07 at 11:05 PM

CATSNYrevival Profile Photo
CATSNYrevival
#12 re: Best Anything Goes Recording?
Posted: 10/14/07 at 11:09pm

Definitely the revival recording with Patti LuPone or the 2003 London recording with John Barrowman. Both are must haves. The London version also includes the additional song "There'll Always Be a Lady Fair".

jsg03jd Profile Photo
jsg03jd
#13 re: Best Anything Goes Recording?
Posted: 10/14/07 at 11:12pm

I really like the Elaine Paige version. She has a sweeter sounding belt than Patti LuPone's.

orangeskittles Profile Photo
orangeskittles
#14 re: Best Anything Goes Recording?
Posted: 10/14/07 at 11:58pm

Thank you all. I've been meaning to get a recording for awhile, but I had no idea there were so many to choose from until I searched on Amazon.


Like a firework unexploded
Wanting life but never knowing how

uhkthxbye2 Profile Photo
uhkthxbye2
#15 re: Best Anything Goes Recording?
Posted: 10/15/07 at 12:48am

The 60s version will always hold a special place in my heart because it was the first show I was ever in, so I may be biased, but I'm casting a vote for that one.


Gangway, world, get off of my runway.
- Mama Rose, Gypsy

A bird cage I plan to hang,
I'll get to that someday...
A bird cage for a bird who flew away
Around the world.
- Edie, Grey Gardens

frontrowcentre2 Profile Photo
frontrowcentre2
#16 re: Best Anything Goes Recording?
Posted: 10/15/07 at 1:23am

The EMI re-creation of the original 1934 version has wonderful orchestartions, but since no one does the show using that script and score if you are looking for a recording that documents the production you have seen or done this isn't for you. Also some of the singers are too much voice (Von Stade) or too little (Gilford).

Epic's 1962 cast documents the revised version done off-Broadway and the standard performing edition in use for community theatres. It sounds very thin, however, and the singers are shrill.

The 1987 (October 19, 1987 it opened) Patti LuPone version is another revision and has a full Broadway-style orchestration. If you can't take Patti LuPone the exact same program was recorded in London with Elaine Paige. I enjoy both of these vesrions.

The recent London revival with John Barrowman is essentially the 1987 version.

Avoid the DRG/studio cast version with Mary Martin, it's deadly dull. The film soundtrack with Bing Crosby (on Decca) has nothing to do with the stage show except for 5 of its 9 songs.


Cast albums are NOT "soundtracks."
Live theatre does not use a "soundtrack." If it did, it wouldn't be live theatre!

I host a weekly one-hour radio program featuring cast album selections as well as songs by cabaret, jazz and theatre artists. The program, FRONT ROW CENTRE is heard Sundays 9 to 10 am and also Saturdays from 8 to 9 am (eastern times) on www.proudfm.com

alxscrz2 Profile Photo
alxscrz2
#17 re: Best Anything Goes Recording?
Posted: 10/15/07 at 6:31am

Get the Patti Lupone version. Its perfect :) u should also see her 'singing anything' goes on broadway's lost treasures 2. After seeing that performance , I rushed out and bought the recording

alterego Profile Photo
alterego
#18 re: Best Anything Goes Recording?
Posted: 10/15/07 at 8:47am

I too recommend the Elaine Paige version. This uses a larger orchestra than was used at the Lincoln Center.

Ed_Mottershead
#19 re: Best Anything Goes Recording?
Posted: 10/15/07 at 10:37am

I've always loved this show. If you're only going to go with one, I recommend the LTC version from 1988. I notice that others feel the same way, but refer to it as the "Patti Lupone" version. Howard McGillan is fantastic (listen to his All Through the Night -- has anyone ever done a better job?) and the others are just as they should be. Just the overture alone is worth the price of admission, with the real Cole Porter segueing into the title song. One of my favorite show albums of all time.


BroadwayEd

Norma D Profile Photo
Norma D
#20 re: Best Anything Goes Recording?
Posted: 10/15/07 at 10:50am

The 1989 London recording with Elaine Paige is my favorite. I prefer her voice to Patti's especially for the song "Anything Goes."


Bill's thirty-two. He looks thirty-two. He looked it five years ago, he'll look it twenty years from now. I hate men. --Margo Channing