New London recording of SWEENEY

[North2009]

Michael Ball tweeted "Thrilled to announce we are making a cast album of Sweeney. Not meant to say anything yet but can't keep a secret:))

[chickfila]

Excellent - now we just need an announcement that the show is transferring state-side with cast intact and I will be a happy man.

[LizzieCurry]

Here's a link to that specific tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/mrmichaelball/status/171595107169091584

[EponineAmneris]

I appove this Tweet *two thumbs up*

[Mister Matt]

I'm curious to hear this cast, but I'll probably only listen to it once. I'm burned out on Sweeney and Gypsy for at least another 10 years.

[mikey2573]

Does this make SWEENEY the most recorded (audio and video) musical of all time?

[ljay889]

Hardly. This would only be its 4th cast recording (one is a live recording and the soundtrack doesn't count in my book). From the Sondheim catalogue alone, FOLLIES and NIGHT MUSIC have 5 recordings.

[LizzieCurry]

Les Miz has almost (over?) 30 and two anniversary concerts!

[jv92]

NIGHT MUSIC really has five recordings?

[ljay889]

Yup!

1. OBC
2. OLC
3. 1990 UK Studio recording
4. 1995 Royal National Theatre Recording
5. 2009 Broadway revival

And there is the movie soundtrack.

[mikey2573]

SWEENEY TODD recordings:

1. 1979 OBC
2. 1995 Barcelona cast recording
3. 2000 NY Philharmonic Concert Recording with Lupone/Hearn
4. 2005 Broadway revival recording
5. 2007 Motion Picture Soundtrack recording.
6. The national tour video with Lansbury/Hearn
7. The Concert video with Lupone/Hearn
8. The motion picture with Depp.
9. The Barcelona production was video taped and broadcast on TV.
10. The new London cast recording with Michael Ball.

LES MIZ may have it beat, but it sure is up there at the top for shows with the most recordings.

[CurtainCall]

There are seven commercial recordings of A Little Night Music - OBC,OLC, Film, 1990 Studio, RNT, Barcelona and Broadway Revival. There is also the Terry Trotter jazz album.

There are eight recordings of Company: OBC, OLC, NY Revival, Donmar, Brazilian, German, Belgian and 2006 Broadway Revival. There is a Trotter Trio recording of this and the promised DVD of the concert version.

[jo]

It's only a HIGHLIGHTS, not a FULL, cast recording -- but still, it is great, great news!

Hope this means that there is a chance for the show to transfer to Broadway.

Michael was recently in NYC watching some Broadway shows ( among others, Book of Mormon, Anything Goes, etc) for what may be a BBC programme. Hope it also meant he was exploring the possibility of a Broadway transfer of SWEENEY TODD!

[abitoftap]

In 1994 the BBC broadcast a pretty full recording of the NT production of Sweeney with Julia McKenzie, Dennis Quilley and Adrian Lester (as Anthony).
McKenzie is still my favourite Mrs Lovett.

[abitoftap]

Sorry, double post.

[Rainbow High2]

I really hope it transfers to Broadway! And I can't wait for the recording!

[EricMontreal22]

I love that BBC broadcast with the NT cast. I thought it was complete--I know at the time it was my first chance to hear some additions like the Beggar Woman's Lullabye. Of course last year we got the Paris production broadcast live as well.

[Mister Matt]

Grease most likely has the most recordings in musical theatre history if you count international casts. After that, probably Jesus Christ Superstar, West Side Story and Hair.

[06s091]

I'm sure Les Mis has the most cast recordings.
I think they have around 30-35 if you count all the international recordings.

I'm really looking forward to this Sweeney recording even though it's only a highlights album.
I'm choosing to be naive and think they are "only" doing a highlights album because they are planning on doing the DVD too. Michael Ball said after seeing the Love Never Dies DVD that he wanted Sweeney to be recorded in a similar way - so I'm hoping he gets what he wants. :)

[Mister Matt]

Not counting studio casts, private sessions, or soundtrack recordings, these were the ones I I found with the most international cast recordings (numbers are approximate):

Grease - 42
Jesus Christ Superstar - 42
Hair - 40
Les Miserables - 34
Joseph...Dreamcoat - 30
The Sound of Music - 28
Fiddler on the Roof - 28
Godspell - 27
Annie - 26
Hello, Dolly - 22
West Side Story - 18
Phantom of the Opera - 18
Little Shop of Horrors - 17
Romeo & Juliet - 16
Cats - 15
Rent - 15
Annie Get Your Gun - 14
The King & I - 14
Jekyll & Hyde - 13
Notre Dame de Paris - 12
Miss Saigon - 10

[My Oh My]

Doesn't Evita have, like, a million recordings?

[choitoy]

If you go to castalbums.org, they list "My Fair Lady" as having the most recordings at 148, although this number does include studio casts and recordings done by bands/singers. It lists "Grease" as second with 132 recordings.

I don't want to take the time to weed out just the cast albums/international cast albums, but there you go. (BTW, the first Sondheim related recording to crack their "most recorded" list is "West Side Story").

[06s091]

According to tweets from different cast members they are in the studio today recording this album.
Stephen Sondheim is there too.

Michael Ball:
"Nerves for big recording day kicking in so up before dawn with 14 hours in studio looming. I can cope with 3 hours sleep!!!!"

Nigel Wright(record producer):
"Have always wanted to record sweeney todd and todays the day waiting for Michael Ball to arrive! And the composer is coming too! #ooer!"

The official Sweeney Todd UK twitter:
-"A very exciting event is happening today- it's the live recording of Sweeney Todd the Musical! Keep an eye on the page for updates!"
-"Right now the Full Ensemble, Swings and Robert Burt are recording. We hope it's all going well!"
-"Michael Ball, Imelda Staunton and James McConville have just joined the recording!"
-"We have another update for you, Sweeney, Mrs Lovett, Anthony, Johanna and the Beggar Woman are recording!"

[06s091]

Sounds like the recording went well...

A tweet from Michael Ball a few minutes ago:
"Today was the stuff of legend. Not sure how we did it but we did it and I am bursting with pride.The joy on Mr Sondheim's face said it all."

[jo]

>>>Adam Pearce:

Quote
Amazing day! Recorded Sweeney Album infront of Mr Sondheim pprrrpp!!...



Peter Polycarpou:
Quote

Thrilled to have been a part of the #SweeneyTodd Cast album with artists who are all at the top of their game. Sondheim's presence an honour<<<


Sondheim's presence must have been inspiring...and maybe even a little disconcerting

Hope he facilitates a Broadway transfer of the show!

[EponineAmneris]

http://broadwayworld.com/article/Photo-Flash-Michael-Ball-Imelda-Staunton-in-Recording-Studio-for-SWEENEY-TODD-20120301