Chicago - A Musical Vaudeville (1975 Original Broadway Cast) [Cast Recording]

Chita Rivera, Gwen Verdon, Fred Ebb, Chicago (Related Recordings), Jerry Orbach, John Kander, Mary McCarty | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 12, 1996)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Cast Recording
• Label: Arista
• ASIN: B000002VSP
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #147,565 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #95 in Music > Broadway & Vocalists > Musicals > Classic Musicals

Editorial Reviews

In the wake of the smash Broadway revival and Oscar-winning film, let's look back at the 1975 original, one of the shining moments in Bob Fosse's career. Fosse, Chita Rivera and Jerry Orbach won Tony nods; the sparkling score includes All That Jazz; Me and My Baby; Funny Honey; I Can't Do It Alone , and more! --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

60 of 64 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I don't understand..., August 12, 2001

By 

A. Regina Phipps - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Chicago - A Musical Vaudeville (1975 Original Broadway Cast) (Audio CD)

... why this show flopped the first time around (yeah, yeah, "A Chorus Line"... biiiig deal... wow.). And why people don't realize what an absolutely TERRIFIC recording this is. First of all, just look at the names. GWEN VERDON (which, alone, is enough to make me gape in awe). CHITA RIVERA. JERRY ORBACH. I mean, these are absolutely brilliant performers. Let me tell you a little about each song, maybe that will help you in your decision to purchase this CD.

-The Overture is a LOT of fun. VERY roaring 20's ish.

-All That Jazz. FUN SONG! And, to me, this is Chita's baby. Nobody can perform it like her... BeBe came CLOSE... but this is Chita's song all the way. Such spirit.

-Funny Honey: Gwen does such a great job with this song... and I LOVE to hear her sing "Lord knows he ain't got the smarts!" I prefer Gwen's Roxie to Ann's because... well, as much as I love Ann Reinking, her voice is so grainy and rough hewn on this song. Gwen's is breathy and throaty, but still girlish enough to make you feel kinda sorry for Roxie. Gwen is so fantastic in this song! Marvelous!

-Cell Block Tango: I haven't heard a bad version of this song yet... but this song is my favorite... just to hear Chita go "I didn't do it!" And the Liz is SPECTACULAR with her "So I said to him I said, 'BERNIE! You pop that gum one... more... time.' And he did. So I took the shotgun off the wall, and I fired two warning shots. Into his head!"

-When You're Good To Mama: Mary McCarty does a GREAT job with this song... she and Vicki Lewis sing it very similar, which I think is great.

-All I Care About: Jerry Orbach RULES as Billy Flynn. I mean, he just sounds so much more... sleazy and... sneaky... and like some crooner out of the 20s than James Naughton. The man has an amazing voice, which, up until I heard this, I didn't know. (Idiot me didn't realize he was Lumiere in Beauty & The Beast... go figure!)

-A Little Bit Of Good: Just listen to M. O'Haughey hit those high notes. You'll understand. :o)

-We Both Reached For The Gun: Fun and a half on this one, ladies and gentlemen! Again, the high point in this song is to hear Gwen Verdon go "Are you kiddin'?!" But it's a truly great, fast, fun song!

-Roxie: Okay, FAR SUPERIOR to ANY version I have EVER heard done of this song, including that of Ann Reinking and Ruthie Henshall. This is classic, wonderful, ever-sparklin' Gwen Verdon. I mean, had I ever been around in 1975 to see her do this number... I'd have probably fainted. Her vocals are terrific, and the song is just so much fun... and not as choppy and wavering between speaking and singing as the other versions are. Gwen's absolutely TERRIFIC in this song, she sparkles like no one else ever did and ever will again!

-I Can't Do It Alone: Another rousing rendition of a song by Chita. Lots of fun... you'll run around going "She'd say 'What's ya sista like?!' I'd say 'MEN!' Yuk yuk yuk!" for days!

-My Own Best Friend: Beautiful, beautiful song sung by two beautiful ladies with beautiful voices.

-Me And My Baby: Some people don't like the ballad version that Gwen sings as much as the jazzier version. Oh well, this one's still cute as it can be. Gotta adore Gwen.

-Mr. Cellophane: Barney Martin does a superb job with this song! Chalk one up for him!

-When Velma Takes The Stand: Chita shines again... ya gotta love her.

-Razzle Dazzle: I like this version of Razzle Dazzle more than James Naughton's, and ESPECIALLY more than the way they did it in "Fosse"... all... slow and what not. Jerry Orbach's vocals again work their magic.

-Class: Chita and Mary McCarty belt out this one! Great fun, and great voices!

-Nowadays: Gwen does a GREAT job with the solo at the beginning... I've often heard said that Gwen was not a first rate singer, but I don't see what's so bad about her voice. Maybe she's not Shirley Jones or Ethel Merman, but she's anything BUT off-key and she's got SPIRIT. She brings a lot of spirit to the first half. Then, she and Chita make a harmonious sound together in the second half... it's wonderful just to hear their devilish little laughs after "It's gonnnnna change, ya know... hahaha!"

-All That Jazz Reprise: And it closes with a bang from Chita, belting out "All That Jazz"!

All in all, this is a GREAT CD, and a must have for die hard "Chicago" fans, die hard Gwen Verdon fans (such as myself), and die hard Chita Rivera fans.

This is ALSO a GREAT CD if you just want a recording from "Chicago". It's a masterpiece in my eyes, and you won't regret purchasing it.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a.k.a. The Jazz Slayer, March 11, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Chicago - A Musical Vaudeville (1975 Original Broadway Cast) (Audio CD)

If you're not already a huge fan of CHICAGO, don't feel guilty passing this one up. Songs and verses are missing and supporting performances (Mama Morton, Amos Hart) are mediocre at best.

However, collectors and CHICAGO fans rejoice! If you own the Bebe and Ute recordings, complete your collection by buying the Chita recording which will leave you asking, "Is it a prerequisite that of the great Velma Kellys have an unusual first name?"

Good stuff: Chita's ALL THAT JAZZ and a special little ALL THAT JAZZ REPRISE not included in the new Broadway or London cast recordings. RAZZLE DAZZLE is particularly good, as are the OVERTURE (a.k.a. LOOPIN' THE LOOP), and ROXIE. Even though ALL THAT JAZZ is much shorter, I almost prefer it to Ute's or Bebe's. Chita's is full of fun and character...and she really sings her heart out with the final "No, I'm no one's wife, but oh, I love my life and all that jaaaazzzzz!"

Not so good stuff: A few songs are missing (including my favorites, CAN YOU IMAGINE and the HOT HONEY RAG), nearly all the remaining songs are missing verses added for the revival, and some songs are almost entirely different, ie ME AND MY BABY. The Mama Morton and Amos Hart are dismal. Perhaps it's just because I'm used to the other recordings that I have trouble trying to, as Mary Sunshine would say, find a little bit of good.

The two revival cast recordings really show how much CHICAGO has grown since the seventies. If you're a CHICAGO fan or you like to see how shows evolve (a la CABARET), definately pick this one up. If this is your first trip to CHICAGO, stick with Bebe and work your way to Ute and Chita.

For you real Chicago fans, check out the original 1926 script by Maurine Watkins.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars From its roots ..., April 26, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Chicago - A Musical Vaudeville (1975 Original Broadway Cast) (Audio CD)

Of course, 'the show' has become extremely popular; more so than the first time around. While too young (alas) to recall the show clearly, I am spell-bound every time the Overture starts.

The London recording is an out-of-tune, vocal, pitch, tempo, and phrasing disaster.

The "Revival" (so-called 'original cast' recording) is much better than London - but more about that in a minute.

This is the recording that many 'old folks' know. Gwen Verdon, Jerry Orbach, and Chita Rivera are truly at the top of their form in this recording.

The Overture holds truer to the 'loose' sound that "Loopin' the Loop" was, and the entire recording is more of a vaudeville than the other two most readily available in the US.

As a previous reviewer stated, "Roxie" is surprisingly complete, due to the limits of vinyl. The Revival recordings include much more of the show; the unforunate part is that while much more of the 'story' is there, you must understand the show to understand the song. Additionally, the dynamic of the recording clearly states the influence the 'sleek lines and cool head' the Revival carries. It is a very crisp, tight production (well, usually), and it is reflected in the recording.

This recording also reflects the full scale of the original show. Not only is every number interpreted to perfection, it is a pure recording - sheerly for the enjoyment of the obviously talented performers.

'Cellophane', as heard on this disc, is probably the best recording out there. Barney Martin captured the character, and it is preserved for the world.

Razzle-Dazzle is terrific too - not so fast, like the 'revival' recordings. (The song is most effective slower.)

My only wish is that there would be a recording of Gwen Verdon doing the Me and My Baby 'strut', not just the ballad version.

Other than that, buy it - well worth it!