Binding: Audio CD EAN: 0074644220520 Format: Cast Recording Label: Sony Manufacturer: Sony Number Of Discs: 1 Publisher: Sony Release Date: October 25, 1990 Sales Rank: 46956 Studio: Sony
Rating: - Ouch
I can't believe anyone would give this a decent review. It's awful. All Music Guide calls it "confused and unsuccessful," TheatreMania Guide to Musical Theatre Recordings dubs this "Not Recommended" and says "this recording is an out-and-out failure," and Musicals101 chimes in with "painfully miscast" and adds "pretentious trash." They're right.
At this point you can pick this "gem" up for less than $3!
Rating: - SOUTH PACIFIC in a hit-and-miss curate's egg
This 1986 digital recording of South Pacific was made on the wave of the success of the crossover recording of West Side Story. Although it includes a little more music than the original Broadway cast recording, it should perhaps be regarded as a curate's egg because it hit some sour notes in places. The cast is generally decent enough to be top-notch, but is yet let down by a miscast role and the lack of sparkle and polish. But perhaps the sumptuous playing of the London Symphony Orchestra and the atmospheric, clear digital recording are able to make up for any shortcoming.
This South Pacific recording reunites Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and Jose Carreras, fresh from Bernstein's DG recording of his own West Side Story. Dame Kiri may not be as sassy and spunky a Nellie as Mary Martin of the original Broadway cast, and her version of "I'm Gonna Wash That Man..." does seem a little staid. But at least she gives ... Read More
Rating: - good studio recording of the R&H classic
This 1986 studio cast album of SOUTH PACIFIC is quite lovely. Jonathan Tunick leads the brilliant London Symphony, giving the score the full, lush treatment it deserves. Only a few middling shortcomings prevent this recording from hitting the heights of greatness.
As much as I love her (and believe me I LOVE HER), Kiri Te Kanawa's performance as Ensign Nellie Forbush is a perfect example of how opera singers aren't the best at adapting their voices to the style of musical theatre. She has the same problem on the studio album of MY FAIR LADY produced 2 years later. Jose Carreras fares better with the character of French plantation owner Emile de Becque (remember, opera star Ezio Pinza played the role in the 1949 original).
Legendary jazz singer Sarah Vaughan is a delightful Bloody Mary, offering up her own unique renditions of "Bali Ha'i" and "Happy Talk". Mandy Patinkin (SUNDAY IN THE PARK ... Read More
Rating: - The difference is the technology. Alas.
Don't get me wrong, I grew up listening to the original, and I have the CD of the 1958 recording. The 1986 production is better, if only for the clean sound. The talent of the originals cannot be recreated, but the talent of today is more than equal to the task, and better recorded. Hey, I've heard a 78 record of Enrico Caruso. How am I suposed to rate his muddy-sounding voice on that old record played on that old Victorola compared to a CD?
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- Ouch
- SOUTH PACIFIC in a hit-and-miss curate's egg
- good studio recording of the R&H classic
- The difference is the technology. Alas.
