Anything Goes (1988 Studio Cast) - Cole Porter [Cast Recording]

Cole Porter (Artist), Kim Criswell (Artist), Bruce Hubbard (Artist), Frederica von Stade (Artist), John McGlinn (Artist), London Symphony Orchestra (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 8, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Cast Recording
• Label: EMI Classics
• ASIN: B000002RRA
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #31,929 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #24 in Music > Pop > Oldies > Tin Pan Alley

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A well reconstructed rendition of a classic, October 27, 1999

By 

Ricard Kelly (Auckland, New Zealand) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Anything Goes (1988 Studio Cast) - Cole Porter (Audio CD)

Cole Porter's brilliantly witty show, written to raise the spirits of depression-enfolded America, is a wonderful treat. After two reworkings, the stage version of Anything Goes presented today is different from the original, but this modern recording (aided by one of the original orchestrators) brings back the magical work that inspired the audiences of the 1930s. Talented voices that compliment the orchestra well, good articles and an interview in the CD booklet, as well as Cole Porter's brilliant music make this an essential for the Anything Goes fan.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Easily the best version available, March 12, 2001

By 

"pspa" (Boston, MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Anything Goes (1988 Studio Cast) - Cole Porter (Audio CD)

There are several fine versions of Anything Goes available, but the 1988 London version is the best in my opinion, thanks to sensational orchestrations and the wonderful, naughty, zesty, sexy performance by Kim Criswell who in my opinion is much better than Patti LuPone. The title number will knock your socks off, especially if you are used to the tame version by Ella Fitzgerald. Frederica von Stade is fine too. Fantastic sound quality as well.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars As close to the original 1934 performance as we'll ever get!, October 22, 2004

By 

Mark Andrew Lawrence "Theatre Reviewer" (Toronto) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Anything Goes (1988 Studio Cast) - Cole Porter (Audio CD)

Of the many ANYTHING GOES recordings, this is the ONLY one to recreate the score as it was heard on opening night in 1934.

The later stage revivals (1962 and 1987) dropped some of the original songs and added other Cole Porter standards. While these versions play well on stage, there is something to be siad for hearing the original text and orchestrations. While no one can replace Ethel Merman's original star performance, it was not preserved because "original cast" albums were not being done in 1934. She did record some of the songs over the years but never with the original orchestrations. (Just think if EMI had made this set in the 1960s and brought Merman into the studio to record her interpretations! What a missed opportunity.) That said, Kim Criswell brings the requesite belt to Reno Sweeney's songs. Cris Groenendaal brings a pleasant light tenor to Billy Crocker's songs, and Frederica Von Stade (one of the few opera singers whose voice seems well suited to american musical theatre repretoire) is well suited to Hope's short musical scenes. As an ingenue, she doesn't get to sing all that much!

Not all is perfect. Jack Gilford was too old and frail having little voice left for Moonface Martin's number. And the Ambrosian singers sing correctly without having the proper "broadway" sound. Nevertheless, John McClinn conducts with precision, and the thick booklet is full of fascinating facts about the show, a detailed synopsis, all the lyrics and an amusing glossery explaing some of the obscure references in Porter's original lyrics.