Alain Boublil - Miss Saigon (Original 1989 London Cast)
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Free Music Notes for Miss Saigon (Original 1989 London Cast)
Free Music Review: The Best There Is
Hit: 5 Stars
I've been a musical theater fan for years, and I must say that no other cast recording of ANY musical lives up to the quality of this one. Lea Salonga has one of the best voices I've ever heard, and she is the undisputed signature Kim. Her passion and innocense are truly remarkable, and her ability to maintain the character through such vocal gymnastics is to be admired. Simon Bowman as Chris is another amazing talent. While some people have complained about his loose vibratto, I think it's just his way of letting out the emotion of the character. Chris wouldn't be refined and controlled while he's pouring out one of the most painful experiences of his life, and Bowman seems to understand that. He actually uses it to his advantage. Claire Moore as Ellen once again proves she is a staple in the Broadway world. She is smooth and mature, and very powerful, especially in "Now That I've Seen Her" and "I Still Believe"...awe-inspiring songs delivered with impeccable realism. Peter Polycarpou as John is the best John I've heard so far. Hinton Battle on the other recording does not hold a candle...there's nothing more I can say about that. And last, but certainly not least, Jonathon Price as the Engineer gave me absolute goosebumps! He's sleazey and underhanded, and so repulsive! He's the character everyone loves to hate, and without him, the show would not have been the same. All-in-all, there is not a better recording out there, either of this show, or any others, and any fan of musical theater should definitely pick this one up.Free Music Review: From a serious Miss Saigon freak!
Hit: 5 Stars
well, first of all i just want to say this is one of the most beautiful CDs i have ever listened to .Ok now on to the real review Lea Salonga wow wow wow! she is kim the way she sings its not lea singing, its Kim pouring out her heart to you.Her sweet soprano hits all the notes in the most lovely way
although in 'the movie in my mind' i think she should have hit the top belter notes a little stronger.My fave song with her in is 'Please'.
I have just one word to say about Simon Bowman ,Brilliant!!!
now to follow that with more words .Some people think his vibratto is out of control but it is just unusual .I think his voice is lovely each word he sings is full of the emotions Chris would be feeling .He is just out of this world in the confrontation.It really moved me .He is the best Chris ever ever!!!!!!!
Claire well she does give a pretty good portrayal of Ellen but i do find that she tends to sing all of her notes rather loudly she does not really make me believe she is in love with chris.
I love Peter's 'John' it is very well done .He makes it obvious that he and Chris are pretty good 'pals'.Also he pronounces his words very clearly which is always nice.
Finaly Pryce, well i think he has got the sly side of the engineer but not the sleezy pimp side and he cant really sing , but he talked the role which was good
All in all i think this CD would be worth buying for 100 pounds just to hear the beautiful duets sung by the biggest musical talents Lea and Simon
Free Music Review: Overwhelming. This is one musical you will never forget!
Hit: 5 Stars
Though it comes form the same minds that created Les Miserables, Miss Saigon is a completely different story in a class by itself. To compare it with Les Mis is simply impossible. While Les Mis does contain the stories of a few people in a desperate time, it real value comes from the freedom fighters and their willingness to sacrifice their lives for a lost cause.
Miss Siagon dives deeper into the lives and torments of it's characters. Kim, "another Vietnam girl," represents so many souls who where lost to the horrors of war. One among thousands who at least knew one moment of peace upon finding someone who was capapble of caring for her. Chris and John in their own seperate ways paint the vivid picture of the trauma the GIs experienced, fighting a war they could not win.
But more than these few, Miss Saigon explores the lives and torments of what many consider the scum of society: the terror of the prostitutes and their hope for a better life, the children left to die in a country that despised their existance, the innocents living with death around the corner.
All this with a strikingly powerful soundtrack headed by Lea Salogna, perhaps the greatest musical talent in the world. This intense, sad production explodes with a dazzeling display of light, sound, and emotion. The end is shocking and heart wrenching despite all the foreshadowing and any knowledge of what will happen. This is not a musical to miss, and this is not a soundtrack to be without!
Free Music Review: Miss Saigon- even better than Les Miserables!
Hit: 5 Stars
My personal opinion is that Miss Saigon is even better than Les Miserables. Now, don't get me wrong, I think that Les Miserables is also a really great production with a nice story. But with this recording, you can literally feel the feeling coming out of your speakers.
To start, the cast is absolutley fantastic. Of course Lea Salonga is outstanding here and plays what I think think is her best performance of her career in Kim. Simon Bowman is also great, His big song "Why, God, Why?" is one of the stand-outs of the show. I was also very suprised at how much I liked the supporting cast as well. Claire Moore does an absolutley fantastic job as Ellen. and "Now That I've Seen Her" is one of my favorite songs of the whole recording. I also loved Peter Polycarpou as John, and of course, Jonathan Pryce as the Engineer.
I also found the story so interesting and dramatic, but a good dramatic. While Les Miserables was more a "story within a story" kind of musical, Miss Saigon's is easy to understand, deep, and makes you feel instantly connected to the characters, not knowing who's side to take in the story.
Miss Saigon is one of my favorite muscial's (which is saying a lot, sice my other favorites is Rent and Wicked) and this is a definitley a recording that you'll want to have if your a fan of musical theatre. Trust me when I say that if you give Miss Saigon a chance, you will be truly be rewarded with this beautiful tale.
Free Music Review: A Musical Classic, and rightly so...
Hit: 5 Stars
Fifteen years of owning this CD and this recording never ceases to amaze me. I have watched Miss Saigon in its grand Broadway scale, not to mention its ambitious helicopter scene, years back and it has set the bar on my theater standards. This recording recaptures that aural experience in this epic 2-CD compilation.
Tony Award-winner Lea Salonga shines in her youthful bell-like soprano, belts out with pure emotion in the role of ill-fated Kim, that quite possibly only she can effectively essay. Jonathan Pryce is perfect for his feisty character as The Engineer, and his catchy tunes in "If You Wanna Die In Bed" brings out humor in an otherwise melodramatic musical. Simon Bowman lends his powerful voice as Chris, but many are annoyed by his excessive vibrato. Claire Moore, playing Ellen (Chris' wife) is another oddity; she belts out all of her songs indiscriminately and refuses to blend in duets. Peter Polycarpou (John) renders a moving piece in "Bui Doi" and performs an excellent supporting role. Keith Burns (Thui) plays Kim's spurned lover and displays his wide vocal range in the confrontation scenes.
Over the years I have played this CD over diverse listening environments; still, it's a pleasure revisiting the musical that launched a thousand protests and raked in record-breaking advance ticket sales. And though the Broadway production is long gone, its energy and catchy tunes still resonate in every theater enthusiast.