New London recording of SWEENEY

[EponineAmneris]

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

[newintown]

The OBC recording of Sweeney Todd makes all others redundant. It achieves a perfection from the first note to the last that will never be equaled or surpassed.

[Kad]

Now they're going to have to cancel this recording and yank all others off the shelves.

[chickfila]

No recording will surpass the original, but it will be wonderful to have Michael Ball singing these songs.

[qolbinau]

No recording will surpass the original, but it will be wonderful to have Michael Ball singing these songs.

Or some of them, rather (well most :P).

They have cut Poor Thing (really?), [probably "The Barber and his Wife" unless it's attached to No Place Like London; it wasn't in the recent revival 'highlights'], Green Finch and Linnet Bird, Ah Miss, Pirelli's Miracle Elixir, The Contest, The Judge's Johanna (if this is performed in the show that is, I'm not sure) among other things like reprises of the Ballads and the wigmaker sequence, the letter etc..

I don't think they should have cut "Poor Thing".

http://first-night-records.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=30&products_id=232

[ljay889]

That can't be an accurate tracklist. There's no way they cut Poor Thing, Green Finch, and Miracle Elixer.

[EricMontreal22]

I admit, I can't wait to hear this, but I kinda agree that, perhaps more than any other show for me, nothing will replace or get more play than the OBCR.

Surely they didn't cut Green Finch??

[hpeabody930]

Just got back from the first preview in the west end. The production is FABULOUS, Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton are out of this world good and the audience leapt to their feet at the end (the first standing "O" I've seen so far in London). Sondheim was in attendance as well, so it made the whole evening just spectacular.

I dont know about the recording, but nothing was cut from the actual show. It was all there and beautifully intact.

[CATSNYrevival]

^If that's the actual track list it hardly seems worth listening to. "Poor Thing" is one of my favorite songs.

[qolbinau]

It is the record company's own webpage. I feel like it would be accurate, but I hope not. It's a shame to see "Poor Thing" go considering Staunton is with Ball the most important thing about the production.

More reason for PS Classics to record a 2-CD album when it transfers with Bernadette :P.

[06s091]

IF it transfers it will be with both Michael AND Imelda.

As I've said before, I choose to believe they only recorded a highlights album because they are recording it for DVD release later. Michael has said he hoped for both a cast recording AND a DVD.
He is co-producer on the album, so I'm hoping the DVD happens too.

[lotiloti]

Much as I love Bernadette. She is totally wrong for Mrs Lovitt.
You really need to see Imelda Staunton.Her performance is truly, amazing. I never thought Lansbury would be bettered. But she has!

[qolbinau]

The track listing on the website is correct. "Poor Thing", "Green Finch and Linett Bird" et al. are indeed cut. The CD is currently available at the theatre.

[fosca3]

I just checked -- it's available on Amazon for pre-order

It says it will be released on April 10

I can't WAIT to hear it

[qolbinau]

The recording is interesting. To hear (a bit of) the prelude done in a studio is quite interesting.....Michael Ball sounds a bit like a cross between Johnny Depp and Len Cariou, certainly more pleasant than Cerveris whose voice was an odd fit for the score I think. There are some interesting acting choices captured on dialogue (e.g. at the end of "My Friends" the arm lines and Staunton's lines at the end of "Epiphany"). Anthony's voice sounds a bit thin and autotuned (close to the movie Anthony)..

The orchestra isn't very large (15-16 pieces around) but it sounds great on the recording I think, love the string vamps in "No Place Like London". It doesn't sound as anemic as the very reduced Sunday and Night Music recordings.

I think some of the acting choices must be lost on the recording, particularly of Staunton who is praised in the role but here the attention is given mainly to her voice, which isn't as strong as the other commercial recordings (I.e. Lansbury and LuPone)...and of course having "Poor Thing" cut is a shame. Love her in "Not While I'm Around", the way she says those lines about the muffler keeping Toby warm in winter etc...suggests his future is pretty hopeless..

I wish I had the opportunity to actually see the show. It's not going to replace the OBC but it's a nice recording..