Chicago - The Musical (1998 London Cast) [Cast Recording]

Fred Ebb, Chicago (Related Recordings), John Kander, Meg Johnson, Henry Goodman, Ruthie Henshall, Ute Lemper | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 28, 1998)
• Original Release Date: July 28, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Cast Recording
• Label: RCA Victor Broadway
• ASIN: B000009HQW
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #55,410 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars CHICAGO with a rougher edge . . ., June 12, 2000

By 

Sean "jjpeachum" (LOOK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chicago - The Musical (1998 London Cast) (Audio CD)

This is a really great album. More music and dialogue than the Broadway counterpart album, and it has a lot of superior lead-ins to the songs as compared to the Broadway album. Ute Lemper (as Velma) is -- well, what can one say about Ms. Lemper? I definately like her, she is quite a stirring performer. But my admiration for her is more out of a sense of mystery, and out of some sort of reverence. To tell the truth, I'm so confused I can't tell if she's brilliant or terrible, but she does give an exciting "All That Jazz" and a funny "I Can't Do It Alone." She also gives the show a Brecht-Weill feel that I find is appropriate to the show. Ruthie Henshall (as Roxie) is SOOO cute. She is a major plus on "Foxy Roxie Hart" and "Funny Honey," and while she might milk every last laugh out of her Act I Soliliquy, she is SOOO cute doing it, and is obviously having fun in the role. Nigel Planer (as Amos) does wonderfully in his interpretation of "Mister Cellophane." He gets Amos's rage in their perfectlly. Yelling out the line "Beside one man for SEVEN YEARS . . . !" shows his true anger at Roxie's infidelity. I appreciate Henry Goodman's performance (as Billy Flyyn) a lot more now then I did before, and I appreciate the edge he has on the role. Meg Johnson packs a punch as Big Mama, and even Mary Sunshine has an edge to her/his/its performance (LOL). Other pluses on this album. Hearing the murderess' ad-libs at the beginning of the "Cell Block Tango." Listening to Fred and Roxie commit adultery, frollicking and laughing through the musical interludes on the "All That Jazz" track. The chorus's sinister laughter during Henry Goodman's icy "Razzle-Dazzle" is a major plus, too. All in all, this is a very styllistic interpretation of the show. It is content being its own creation, instead of merely copying the Broadway production, and this is an admirable quality that should be followed by all true artists of the theatre. BUY THIS ALBUM!

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ruthie & Ute are simply to die for!, August 17, 1999

By 

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

This review is from: Chicago - The Musical (1998 London Cast) (Audio CD)

The London Cast Recording of CHICAGO is absolutely fantastic! As far as I'm concerned this is the one true CD that has the most talented cast of performers to play these phenomenal characters. Ruthie Henshall is absolutely amazing as Roxie. In fact she's the best Roxie I've ever seen or heard for that matter. Her "Funny Honey" and "Roxie" numbers will have you guessing "How does she do that with her voice? " Ute is fabulous too, although it does take some time to get used to her smokey, sexy voice. Chita Rivera originated the role of Velma and ofcourse is the best, but Ute holds her own as she belts "All That Jazz" and "I Can't Do It Alone." The supporting cast is fabulous also. Songs to hear include; the belty "When Your Good To Mama", the harmonious "My Own Best Friend" and the hilarious "Mr. Cellophane". Highlights of this CD also include a higher range for the girls' duet in "My Own Best Friend", and most of the tempos of each song has been sped up. And I won't forget Roxie's Soliloqy which is not heard on any of the previous records. This CD is a mussssst buy. Buy it over the dreary recording of the Broadway cast anyday. Bebe is great but her singing is nowhere near as strong as Ruthie's or Ute's. CHICAGO-LONDON ROCKS!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beats the Broadway Cast, December 22, 2002

By 

Nate Bush (California USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chicago - The Musical (1998 London Cast) (Audio CD)

I saw this production on tour in the U.S., and then soon after bought the Broadway revival CD. Soon after that, I sold it. I did find the London CD in the library and listened to it, and I must say, if you are going to choose between the Broadway and London cast recordings of the revival of CHICAGO, this is the better of the two. The orchestra is just as lively, and in fact, this album is more complete, with dance music and some dialogue added.

While I am not fond of her Fantine in the 'Les Miserables', Ruthie Henshall, as Roxie Hart, does some of her best work here. However skilled a dancer Ann Reinking is, she unfortunately is a weak singer and actress.

Ute Lemper is a fabulous Velma Kelly. Both she and Bebe Neuwirth on Broadway have big voices, both are strong and sassy, but where Lemper is effortlessly smooth, cool, and sexy, Bebe seems like she's struggling to relax and comes off rather stiff. Simply listen to 'All that Jazz' and you'll know what I mean.

As for the accents, while the native German Lemper does have a slight lilt, it's easy to ignore (especially since her singing is superb) and the British cast doing American accents didn't bother me one bit.

There really is no 'definitive' album of this show. The original cast recording with Chita Rivera and Gwen Verdon should be listened to at least once for historical value, and the film soundtrack is great if you're into pop culture. But think, kids: No cut songs. No movie stars with iffy musical abilities. No hip-hop 'Cell-Block Tango'. The London CHICAGO is the one to own.