CD-Charts Position 1
Average Rating:

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The Phantom of the Opera

by: Original London Cast Andrew Lloyd Webber

Release Date October 30, 2000
I own the film soundtrack and this original cast recording version. I've seen the show 4 times now and this CD brings back the memories; the Overture does give you goose bumps and from this recording you get the flavour of the theatre experience.

When sung well, as they are in this case, 'Music of the Night' and 'All I Ask of You' are very moving. Sarah Brightman is the star of the original show as her voice is truly moving. I've always been skeptical about Michael Crawford, although his signing is excellent, I don't think brings the true gravitas of the character of the Phantom all that well.
I do like his interpretation of 'Music of the Night' though.

I've always preferred a Phantom that doesn't have too ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 2
Average Rating:

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Sunset Boulevard: World Premiere Recording

from: Really Useful Records

Release Date August 25, 1993
To start with, this release is only an excerpt album, with a significant amount of the musical score excised. Secondly, Patti LuPone may be a singer, but compared to Glenn Close on the American recording, she lacks the emotion needed for the role. The other leads are not a patch on the US cast, especially the dire Kevin Anderson, who cannot act in the slightest, and the girlish Meredith Braun. The original London score was subsequently tweaked and reorchestrated after the poor inital reviews, so this recording is missing some of the best sections of the US recording, especially the longer 'Worth a Little Suffering', along with other additional lines. If you really like LuPone, then I'm not going to be able to change your minds, but if you are looking ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 3
Average Rating:

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Jesus Christ Superstar Original London Cast

by: Original London Cast, Tim Rice, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Paul Nicholas, Stephen Tate, Dana Gillespie

Release Date
To start with, this release is only an excerpt album, with a significant amount of the musical score excised. Secondly, Patti LuPone may be a singer, but compared to Glenn Close on the American recording, she lacks the emotion needed for the role. The other leads are not a patch on the US cast, especially the dire Kevin Anderson, who cannot act in the slightest, and the girlish Meredith Braun. The original London score was subsequently tweaked and reorchestrated after the poor inital reviews, so this recording is missing some of the best sections of the US recording, especially the longer 'Worth a Little Suffering', along with other additional lines. If you really like LuPone, then I'm not going to be able to change your minds, but if you are looking ... Read More: