Les Miserables (1987 Original Broadway Cast)
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Free Music Notes for Les Miserables (1987 Original Broadway Cast)
Free Music Review: if you've only got the money for one...
Hit: 5 Stars
i first hear the broadway cast album of les miz and that became the definitive version for me. after listening to the london cast recording, i still prefer the broadway version, mainly because of the stronger javert on broadway; his london counterpart suffers by comparison and that almost ruins the london version for me, notwithstanding all of its other good qualities. the london javert had a weak voice and can barely get through some lines without swallowing air; javert's solos demand a strong baritone voice to bring out his menacing nature and ultimate anguish; the broadway javert fills your room while the london javert has to go into lower registers, at lower volume to complete some lyrics.
colm wilkinson is pretty much the same jean valjean on both recordings although i think he was a tad stronger on broadway; i did not notice any talking or sliding by; he gives you his all; his "bring him home" in london is very good, although on the ten year anniversary album it is sublimely perfect.
fantine, eponine, cosette and marius all seem about the same, to me, anyway, on both stages and i found nothing weak about either version's performances of those roles. i wish lea salonga were on every album and michael ball is so good you take him for granted.
enjolras was much stronger on broadway and his songs are rousing, so a booming baritone is a necessity, a la javert.
i found the broadway thenardier preferable because his voice is gruffer and deeper; the london thenardier, a cockney, grew on me, though. the broadway madame thenardier's final exhortation to "drinking vessel rectal insertion action" is more entertaining.
the london show contains more material, including gavroche's solo on "little people" that was cut from broadway. there are also some orchestral lead-ins that are changed; for completeness's sake, the london version might be preferable.
again, one's preference of a particular verison of les miz will probably correspond to which version one heard first. i prefer the broadway version in part because i found the cockney accents on the london stage disconcerting, although the cockney accent corresponds to lower class paris dialect, i suppose.
in my review of the broadway and london versions of my fair lady, i panned the london version, in part because of the way the british generally approach the musical stage; they turn musicals into something somewhere between gilbert and sullivan and a busker music hall show. they screw up the orchestrations and decrease the level of musicality.
that is not the case in les miz; the brits were not working from an americal version, as in MFL, which they could screw up, but had developed the cutting edge show extrapolated from the french concept album.
if i only had the money to buy one, it would be the broadway cast version. but that's just my two cents/pence/francs...
Free Music Review: First Recording I Heard
Hit: 5 Stars
I just got around to writing a review, so here're my thoughts!
I've been obsessed with Les Misérables for several months, all because my grandma has the OBC (which was the cast she saw), and left it behind in our garage when she went to Hawaii (she also left The Phantom of the Opera, but Les Mis made more of an impression). Actually it's half her fault and half my friend Pooka's, because she has a DVD of her brother's school's production, in which he was Enjolras. She lent it to me, so I've sort of seen Les Mis, but I need to see it live! A little review of the main cast:
Jean Valjean - Colm Wilkinson...what can I say apart from, "HE IS VALJEAN!!!"? Just listen to him. Get the OBC and listen to him!
Javert - Incredibly Javertish! I think he's my favorite Javert. He's very cold, and for some reason I love how he says, "even so" in "Javert's Suicide".
Fantine - I love Randy Graff as Fantine! I've heard a lot of people criticize how she sings "And tell Cosette I love her and I'll see her when I waaaaaake!", but it makes perfect sense that she would sound wailish, seeing as she's dying and insane. I love that single line, and it brings tears to my eyes. Her "I Dreamed a Dream" was very good.
Thénardier - Leo Burmester is a good Thénardier, but I like the cockney accent that the one (I forget his name) in the CSR has. I do like "Zoo" though!
Eponine - I've heard quite a few people say Frances Ruffelle is an annoying, whiny Eponine, but I love her rendition of "On My Own." Kaho Shimada's "A Little Fall of Rain" from the CSR was better than Ruffelle's, I must admit, but I think people are too harsh on Frances. She's my all-time favorite Eponine.
Enjolras - Good Enjolras, operatic. I LOVE Enjolras, and have never heard a bad one. I've only heard two, though, so that's not saying much. He's very compelling in "Do You Hear the People Sing?" and One "Day More!".
Gavroche - Braden Danner has a very street-childish voice, to me anyway. Almost my favorite, but the Gavroche on the CSR has the cockney accent, so I like him a hair more.
Cosette - I never liked the character Cosette, but Judy Kuhn is better than Tracy Shayne on the CSR *shudders at over-vibratoness*
Marius - Well, I never liked Marius either, but David Bryant just makes him worse. I read somewhere that he sounds like a rock, and I second that. He virtually NEVER shows emotion. Michael Ball is the BEST Marius.
Put together, this is my favorite cast...so far!
Free Music Review: Perfection.
Hit: 5 Stars
My first introduction to Les Mis was when I saw the National tour production in my town. I was blown away, and I instantly begged my mom to get me the recording. She did. Thank God!
My first question is: Why does everyone hate Frances Ruffelle? She's awesome. In my opinion, her rendition of "On My Own" (the most famous song from the show) is the best ever recorded. I get that she may not have the most beautiful voice ever heard, but I don't think Eponine should. I love that her songs are a little whiny. That's just her character. When I think Eponine, I think of her.
Next to Ms. Rufelle, is the one and only Colm Wilkinson, the undisputed best Jean Valjean. He is just perfect. I heave heard some great Valjeans over the years, but I notice that they all are sculpting there oices after Mr. Wilkinson. His voice fits the role perfectly. I know it buggs some people that he has stuck with this role for so long, but he is the ultimate Valjean.
The Marius in this recording definitely doesn't measure up to the rest of the casts talent. His "Empty Chairs" sounds fine, but it isn't flooded with emotion, making it not on par.
Judy Kuhn is good as Cosette, a part everyone thinks is big, but really isn't. She doesn't come into the second act until about the last scene. Her solo is sung well, and she really fits the part.
Randy Graff delivers as Fantine, but she sounds a little like a man at some points. Her "I Dreamed a Dream" is very good, and prbably favorite ever recorded.
Terrence Mann is good as Javert, but nothing special. I like "Stars", and he doesn't mess it up like some can. So, that's good. I just can't get over that he is the guy from "The Chrous Line" movie who yells all the combinations. It's odd.
The Thenardier's are good and funny, and the Young Cosette doesn't mess up her song. The Gavroche is witty and has a voice ift for the part. The Enjolras is exceptionally good. I must say that that role is the most underrated part of any role in this musical. He delivers many of the shows most exciting and rousing number like "Do You Hear the People Sing?" and "Red and Black".
My Five Favorite Numbers on this Recording: (1 being the best)
5. Bring Him Home
4. I Dreamed A Dream
3. Who Am I?
2. On My Own
1. One Day More
All in all, this is a wonderful recording of the best musical ever made. I love it, and you will too!
Free Music Review: Doesn't Get Better Than This
Hit: 5 Stars
This is the best musical ever written. Period. The end. Schonberg and Boubil are geniuses. There is not a bad song on this soundtrack and the plot is the most brilliant and developed one I've ever seen in a musical (though of course we have Victor Hugo to thank for that!).
It seems like the only criticism others have had for this soundtrack does not have to do with the musical itself, but rather with this particular production. Since I first fell in love with this soundtrack before ever seeing a production of Les Mis, I am used to (and love) the performers on it, even though others argue that the London cast was better. I acknowledge that my views are quite biased, but here are my personal opinions on some of the original Broadway cast members:
I admit that Colm Wilkenson's voice takes some getting used to, but it's quite unique when you consider it, and even on the soundtrack, you can tell he completely brings Valjean's character to life. (I just heard about the Canadian version of Phantom of the Opera where he plays the phantom: must check that out!) I just can't imagine a better Jean Valjean.
I have heard tons of criticism of Frances Ruffelle's portrayal of Eponine. Most think that her voice does not suit the character, and that it is more for pop music. Where I agree that her voice is quite different, I think that the songs her character is required to sing need that pop-like edge. Her "On My Own" is absolutely beautiful. She definitely grows on you.
Randy Graff's portrayal of Fantine seemed unremarkable at first, but at points during "I Dreamed a Dream" and "Come to Me," her performance was absolutely stunning. I haven't heard Patti LuPone's portrayal (although I adore her in Evita) so I really can't compare the two.
David Bryant, playing Marius, is one cast member who I really don't like that much. His voice, although not awful, is nothing special, and the role of Marius, which could be something fabulous, is not taken to its full potential. Again, I haven't heard the London Marius, so I can't compare.
Those are all the characters I'll comment on, because I pretty much agree with everyone else's opinions.
Free Music Review: Wonderful, moving, inspiring...buy it. just buy it.
Hit: 5 Stars
Having never actually read Les Miserables itself it can be argued that i am in no position to judge Victor Hugo. I have however, read part of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and i am not exagerating when i say that this book so horrified and disturbed me that i was forced to put it down without finishing it. Needless to say, i find it hard to believe that any other novel by a man with such disturbing visions could be any good, but this does not take away from the fact that the musical interpretation of the material is one of the most incredible musicals ever created; in my opinion it is without doubt the best musical of the eighties, Cats and the Phantom are very good, but niether of them contains the passion of this piece. That is wherein the magic of this piece really lies- in the deep stirring emotional music. I rarely say this as i am often more impressed by the lyrical efforts in musicals than by the music itself. This is one exception. The lyrics certainly compliment the music but the sheer depth and mystery of the music is really what captivates the listener. The beauty of the individual songs is captured superbly by the incredable talents of the performers, we immediately fall in love with the characters and cannot wait to hear what lies in store for them in the next songs. Some of the most wonderful moments include Master of the House, Red and Black, In My Life, On My Own, Stars, and Empty Chairs at Empty Tables. Admittedly, as i have not heard any other recordings i am not really in any position to judge whether this is the best one, but i still highly reccomend it to anyone who is not acquainted with the show or has not yet obtained a recording of the piece. Believe me, you wont regret it. I realize that it takes some people a while to learn to enjoy the rather slow dramatic style, but trust me it will grow on you and you will learn to love it as i have. Also, it comes with a booklet containing the lyrics for all the songs which can often be very useful, and a detailed synopsis of the story. What more can i say? Just buy it, trust me,you wont regret it.