Eponine93
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Recording ComparisonsSince I didn't see any other threads about this, I would like to start a thread about which Les Miz recording forum users have and their personal opinions on it.
I have the 2-disc Original London Cast Recording of Les Miz. I both hate it and love it. One of its biggest cons is that many of the lyrics of the songs have changed in transition to America. While I know many of the changes due to my watching-clips-of-Les-Miz-on-youtube addiction, it always sticks out when unfamilar lyrics pop up on the songs I listen to so often. I also dislike the fact that its 2 disc, which makes fluid transitions hard on my Ipod and even harder when I listen to the CD (although most recordings are 2-disc, I believe, and what can you do?)
However, the reason I adore the London Cast recording is because the raw talent on it is so amazing. Colm Wilkinson and Frances Rueffle (in advance, I am going to butcher character names and performer's names, I'm very sorry) who reprised their roles as Valjean and Eponine on Broadway are on it, in addition to Patti LuPone and Michael Ball as Fantine and Marius respectively. Patti LuPone is so incredible as Fantine; she owns that song. Michael Ball also is a truly amazing Marius; his "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables" reduces me to tears every time I hear it. Overall, I like the talent on the London Cast recording although I wish the lyrics were the ones of the Broadway.
So what recordings to you have and what do you think of them?
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Trevor
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I prefer the 10th Anniversary Concert recording. The only thing it's missing is Daphne Rubin Vega as Fantine. Ha. Just playing around. But I really like the Fantine *can't quite recall her name right now.  * as well as Colm Wilkinson, Michael Ball, and others from the original London cast, but it also has the new lyrics and more of the show on it. I adore Philip Quast as Javert. He is, in my mind, the best Javert ever. Lea Salonga is also probably my favorite Eponine. Enjolras (also forgetting his name) is increadible in this recording (though he's even better in the Complete Symphonic Recording, which is another favorite of mine minus the painful-to-listen-to Valjean.). The Concert recording also has Alun Armstrong (from the London cast) as Thenardier and he's great. Jenny Galloway as Mme Thenardier is absolutely brilliant and I love the fact that she's playing it in the revival right now. She's hilarious - espessially on "not much there".
Enough of my babbling. I guess you know which recording I prefer now. 
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Orestes Fasting
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o_O The lyrics aren't exactly the same on any of the official English recordings. All of them have additions, cuts, changes, or improvisations.
I personally love little changes like that--the London version's one of my favorites for the specific reason that the lyrics are more variant than the other recordings.
I also really like the concept album, the Paris revival cast, and the Antwerp and Duisburg highlights.
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The Very Angry Woman
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Re: Recording Comparisons | Eponine93 wrote: | | Patti LuPone is so incredible as Fantine; she owns that song. |
Sure, if your idea of Fantine is "on quaaludes" and "can't enunciate," although what else could one expect from Patti LuPone?
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Cloudy This Morning
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Aww, personally I adore Patti LuPone, but I know a lot of people don't like her. Don't care much for arguing.
I now have a deep, dark secret that I must share with everyone : one of my favorite official recordings (aside from the Madrid and Stockholm recordings) is...the Hungarian highlights. I know everyone in their right mind thinks it kinda sucks, but I LOVE it. Makrai P�l is too cute for words.
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actor
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Re: Recording Comparisons | The Very Angry Woman wrote: | | Eponine93 wrote: | | Patti LuPone is so incredible as Fantine; she owns that song. |
Sure, if your idea of Fantine is "on quaaludes" and "can't enunciate," although what else could one expect from Patti LuPone? |
I completely agree!
I absolutely hate Patti LuPone as Fantine. She just sounds so bored and puts almost NO expression or contrast into her singing.
My favourite Fantine is the amazing Ruthie Henshall.
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Timmy_Wishes he was Quast
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For me it's somewhere between Graff and Bryne. The raw quality of their deaths swings it for me...i actually believe they have died!
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Lazarus (Adam G)
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You're all wrong.
I'm the best Fantine.
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actor
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lol
ok
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Cloudy This Morning
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| Lazarus (Adam G) wrote: | You're all wrong.
I'm the best Fantine. |
OWW! *fans* Lawdy, I do declare it is so hot in here I may faint.
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milkywhite24601
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| trevorsanderson wrote: | I prefer the 10th Anniversary Concert recording. The only thing it's missing is Daphne Rubin Vega as Fantine. Ha. Just playing around. But I really like the Fantine *can't quite recall her name right now. * as well as Colm Wilkinson, Michael Ball, and others from the original London cast, but it also has the new lyrics and more of the show on it. I adore Philip Quast as Javert. He is, in my mind, the best Javert ever. Lea Salonga is also probably my favorite Eponine. Enjolras (also forgetting his name) is increadible in this recording (though he's even better in the Complete Symphonic Recording, which is another favorite of mine minus the painful-to-listen-to Valjean.). The Concert recording also has Alun Armstrong (from the London cast) as Thenardier and he's great. Jenny Galloway as Mme Thenardier is absolutely brilliant and I love the fact that she's playing it in the revival right now. She's hilarious - espessially on "not much there"
Enough of my babbling. I guess you know which recording I prefer now. |
Fantine is played by Ruthie Henshall who i agree-is completely amazing!!!! I didn't know there was a recording of the 10th anniversary concert-i knew there was a video-cool, i want to get that! Except I don't think it's the same guy playing Enjolras in the 10th Anniversary and Complete Symphonic Recording are the same (actually i'm not quite sure if that's what you were saying....but that's how I read it so...) however I'm not sure. I know the one on the Symphonic is Anthony Warlow who is my favorite Broadway performer EVER!
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The Very Angry Woman
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| milkywhite24601 wrote: | | Except I don't think it's the same guy playing Enjolras in the 10th Anniversary and Complete Symphonic Recording are the same (actually i'm not quite sure if that's what you were saying....but that's how I read it so...) however I'm not sure. |
Does no one know how to Google anymore?
| Quote: | | I know the one on the Symphonic is Anthony Warlow who is my favorite Broadway performer EVER! |
Can he be considered a Broadway performer if he's never performed on Broadway?
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Trevor
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I don't think Anthony Warlow is any good as JVJ. But that's just my opinion.
And Enjolras is the same in both.
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Timmy_Wishes he was Quast
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Garry Morris is JVJ on the CSR
Anthony is Enjolras in only the CSR
NOT the TAC...that duty falls to Micheal Maguire the ORIGINAL Broadway Enjolras.
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The Very Angry Woman
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| trevorsanderson wrote: | | I don't think Anthony Warlow is any good as JVJ. But that's just my opinion. |
Maybe because he doesn't play him.
| Quote: | | And Enjolras is the same in both. |
There is no English-language Enjolras who's on more than one cast recording.
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Elin
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There is no English-language Enjolras who's on more than one cast recording.
You don't consider the TAC a cast recording?  
(Michael Maguire ...)
(Never thought I'd argue with you.)
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The Very Angry Woman
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| Elin wrote: | There is no English-language Enjolras who's on more than one cast recording.
You don't consider the TAC a cast recording?
(Michael Maguire ...) |
Technically, isn't it a soundtrack? Then again, technically, I try not to think of Michael Maguire as much of anything.
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Elin
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Technically, isn't it a soundtrack?
I guess. 
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Timmy_Wishes he was Quast
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*giggles* TVAW - She only speaks the truth!!
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