Charles Hart - The Phantom of the Opera (Original 1986 London Cast)
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Free Music Notes for The Phantom of the Opera (Original 1986 London Cast)
Free Music Review: Beautiful, Amazing, Wonderful
Hit: 5 Stars
I will do my best to write the most objective review possible, but I must admit, that I am hooked on this CD. This is the only musical I have in my CD collection, but it is amazing. If the overture does not make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, check your pulse.The score is brilliant, I do not care so much for a good deal of ALW's work (especially his more recent productions), but this one is perfect.
That being said, you should buy this CD for one reason; Michael Crawford. In terms of technical skill, he does not have the most impressive voice in the world. But since he left the production there has not been another Phantom who has come close to singing as well as he can. You could listen to his voice and burst into tears because it is so effective at blending emotions and evoking them from you. On the last track of the first CD, he sings beautifully about being betrayed and heartbroken; not more than 20 seconds later his voice becomes a powerful, thundering instrument which will terrify you.
Sarah Brightman is good, but not unique. She has an excellent voice, but many other women have proven themselves in the role.
Steve Barton also has an excellent voice, but it does not make or break the show.
The Phantom is beyond ugly, a murderer, and in general, not the nicest guy. But just listening to his voice, you will keep your fingers crossed that Christine will pick him. Crawford has a wonderful crooning tenor that will send shivers down your spine.
Free Music Review: Amazing music and story.
Hit: 5 Stars
I have seen this show eleven times and counting. I have become a collector of Phantom things and devoted a room to Phantom. The Phantom of the Opera is definitely the best show on Broadway and I can't wait until it becomes the longest running. I have listened to this music countless times for the past six years and it never gets old. It gets better every time I listen to it. If you've never seen the show I would love for you to see it.
About the CD:
I LOVE all the songs but I do have some favorites.
The Overture is amazing live. The music is so powerful.
Angel of Music is so cool when Erik appears to Christine.
Then this song goes into the theme song, The Phantom of the Opera. This is one of two of my favorite songs and scenes. It is breathtaking live. This song originally attracted me to the play.
At first Masquerade wasn't one of my favorites but now I love that song. It is so much better if you see this song performed live. The costumes are amazing, especially when you're sitting really close.
Point of No Return is another song that really grew on me. I love the melody of it.
Then, or course, the final song/scene, Down Once More/Track Down This Murderer. So much happens in this scene. It is a very powerful and important scene to the play, and I cry every time at the end. This scene is definitely my other favorite.
Free Music Review: It's not the best one to buy. . .it's the ONLY one to buy
Hit: 5 Stars
Alright, let's get this straight. It's a simple math problem; even a first grader could get this. Michael Crawford=Phantom. Phantom=Michael Crawford. That's just how it is. In the title song, when he sings "The Phantom of the Opera is there"...oh its brilliant. Especially that funny thing his voice does on the "Phaaa" part of Phantom. Normally it might be a little awkward, but in this role its absolutley perfect. He really makes us sympathize with him and almost makes you bawl in the Finale. Sarah Brightman does a great job with Christine. Most peolpe absolutely screw up the vocals at the end of the title song (ah-hem, 1992 Japanese Version and Sandra Joseph on Broadway. Hate to say it, but it doesn't work with their voices. Yeah, they can sing, but just not that. They do very well otherwise though) I like the way she screams out "I'll go MAD!" in Notes II.
The only bad part about this (but it's quite minor) are Madame Giry and Joseph Buquet. Buquet's voice is kind of breathy and the vibrato takes over and Madame Giry's voice is a little breathy also, but nothing major.
The orchestra in this is beautiful. In most recordings, the orchestra cuts short in the intrumentals before Hannibal and after the Auction (which is one of the best parts) but in this one is it really powerful. It gives you goosebumps because it blends so well together. Especially when the horns come in!
Free Music Review: If there were such a thing as 10+ stars for a review, this would have it.
Hit: 5 Stars
Okay, so teenagers have now seen "the new Phantom," with Gerry Butler and all that. Yeah, that's a good soundtrack. Gerry's performance of the Phantom is marvelous, and Christine is a babe. But nothing - absolutely NOTHING - compares to this stupendous original recording, with the master, Michael Crawford.
Michael caught me from his first lyric ("Insolent boy! this slave of passion!"). I actually got chills, and thought, "Who on earth was that!?" I sat wide-eyed through the title track (marveling at Sarah Brightman's crystal-clear, unforced soprano), and by the end of "Music of the Night," I was a puddle on the floor, completely captivated.
Michael's entire performance is phenomenal, and you can tell he really buries himself in the role - emotions rage through him, ranging from hell-bent fury to deepest misery. You can actually hear the sobs in his voice when he sings, "I gave you my music..." And the very end ("You alone can make my song take flight")...well, just when you think Michael's exhausted and spent, he belts out those lyrics like he's fresh on the stage! And how he can hold those notes! His vocal range has to be heard to be believed.
This is my all-time-favorite musical soundtrack. I have worn out several tape copies over the years, and I haven't tired of it yet. The movie "Phantom" soundtrack, while good, is still too brassy and new. Stick with the classic.
Free Music Review: Not the best recording ever. . .the ONLY recording ever
Hit: 5 Stars
Alright, let's get this straight. It's a simple math problem; even a first grader could get this. Michael Crawford=Phantom. Phantom=Michael Crawford. That's just how it is. In the title song, when he sings "The Phantom of the Opera is there"...oh its brilliant. Especially that funny thing his voice does on the "Phaaa" part of Phantom. Normally it might be a little awkward, but in this role its absolutley perfect. He really makes us sympathize with him and almost makes you bawl in the Finale. Sarah Brightman does a great job with Christine. Most peolpe absolutely screw up the vocals at the end of the title song (ah-hem, 1992 Japanese Version and Sandra Joseph on Broadway. Hate to say it, but it doesn't work with their voices. Yeah, they can sing, but just not that. They do very well otherwise though) I like the way she screams out "I'll go MAD!" in Notes II.
The only bad part about this (but it's quite minor) are Madame Giry and Joseph Buquet. Buquet's voice is kind of breathy and the vibrato takes over and Madame Giry's voice is a little breathy also, but nothing major.
The orchestra in this is beautiful. In most recordings, the orchestra cuts short in the intrumentals before Hannibal and after the Auction (which is one of the best parts) but in this one is it really powerful. It gives you goosebumps because it blends so well together. Especially when the horns come in!