Andrew Lloyd Webber's Evita: 25th Anniversary Salute

Andrew Lloyd Webber (Composer), Andrew Lane (Conductor), Orlando Pops Orchestra (Orchestra), Gail Bartell (Performer), Alan Bruun (Performer), David Chernault (Performer), Amy Martin Cole (Performer), Randy Glass (Performer), Bryan Harden (Performer), Theresa Lee (Performer), Darlin Barry (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Gail Bartell, Alan Bruun, David Chernault, Amy Martin Cole, Randy Glass, et al.
• Orchestra: Orlando Pops Orchestra
• Conductor: Andrew Lane
• Composer: Andrew Lloyd Webber
• Audio CD (August 10, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Madacy Records
• ASIN: B0002J58XS
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #581,751 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Surprisingly good, September 21, 2005

By 

B'way-luvr "S." (Atlanta, GA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Andrew Lloyd Webber's Evita: 25th Anniversary Salute (Audio CD)

I am a die-hard "Original-Cast-only" person. So when I was given this as a birthday present (a month late) I was kind of skeptical. Yes, it has a wonderful score by Andrew Lloyd webber, and yes the Orlando Pops Orchestra is said to be really good, but it was a studio cast (a term that generally turns me off from asn album). I started listening to this expecting a horrid Eva, off-tempo music, and unrecognisable lyrics.

I was so wrong.

This is actually a surprisingly good Evita recording. Gail Bartell (Eva) does a very good job of portraying a determined Eva, but some songs could be better. Her voice tends to go slightly off at times, but she is mostly an applause-worthy performer (though her voice does not have the Broadway flair Patti LuPonne of the Premiere American Recording). David Chernauld makes an excellent Che, hitting all the right notes on all the right pitches. Unlike a studio Che I once heard, he is not nasally nor does he sing rather high parts down. Sadly, I must say I was unimpressed with Alan W. Bruun as Peron. Yes, he can sing, but he completely butchers the end of "Charity Concert" (Odd that they didn't call it by the actual song name "I'd Be Surprisingly Good for You") and is weak throughout the rest of the CD. Peron should be an inwardly, but not vocally, weak man. The backup ensemble also pleases and I applaud them for being able to do a show like this (even if just a recording) with a cast of eight. It still retains the full ensemble sound that the other albums have, which is wonderful.

The orchestrations are also very well done and I have no complaints towards those. The Orlando Pops Orchestra did a wonderful job, and I will probably buy another of their recordings just for thier excellent sound.

My only qualms with the overall album is the use of "Don't Cry For me Argentina" twice. Was it so hard for them to record something from the opening Requiem? "Oh What a Circus" would have been much better, or at least the opening mourners. Also, at the end of "Balcony-Casa Rosada" the crowd vocals are more annoying than powerful. Not to say they sing it wring, it's jst that that particular moment loses its effectiveness without Eva's speech. They should have just let Bartel record the speech or cut the part. I was also a bit taken aback by the cover art, but I now a see an interesting approach to showing the true nature of the show. The graffiti and ripped poster work very well at showing a post-Peronist Argentina.

in all, I was pleased with this recording. I'm still more partial to the Premiere American Recording with Patti LuPonne, but this CD makes a nice addition to any Evita fan's collection.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Surprisingly Good Rendition, April 9, 2005

By 

Robert Lopez (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Andrew Lloyd Webber's Evita: 25th Anniversary Salute (Audio CD)

I bought this cd on a whim because it was on super sale, but little did I know that it would prove to be a wonderful addition to my musical theatre collection.

The orchestrations are exquisite and Gail Bartell is a strong Evita. She has both the powerful voice for the mid ranged belting, strong mix for the higher parts in "Buenos Aires" "A New Argentina" and "Rainbow High" and a delicate soprano for "Don't Cry For Me Argentina." She does very well with the belting/mixing of "A New Argentina."
A personal favorite is their rendition of "Waltz for Eva and Che sung by Bartell and David Chenault as Che.

Sure Bartell and Chenualt don't top LuPone and Patinkin's vocal flair, but they fare very well with the material none the less.