The Cradle Will Rock (1985 London Cast) [Cast Recording]

Peter Van Norden, Sandra Terry, Marc Blitzstein, Mary-Pat Green, Lenny Wolpe, Stephen Bates, Patti LuPone | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 29, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Cast Recording
• Label: That's Entertainment
• ASIN: B000003QTF
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #649,151 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. John Houseman's Introduction

Disc: 2

1. Scene 1: Moll's Song

2. Scene 1: Moll and Gent

3. Scene 1: I'll Show You Guys

4. Scene 1: Richard Speaking

5. Scene 2: Come to the Rescue

6. Scene 2: Solicitin'

7. Scene 2: Hey Virgil

8. Scene 2: Oh What a Filthy Night Court

9. Scene 3: Hard Times - The Sermon

10. Scene 3: Order in the Court Room

See all 33 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Definitive Recording of a Classic, October 31, 2002

By 

Ben Fink - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Cradle Will Rock (1994 Los Angeles Cast) (Audio CD)

"The Cradle Will Rock" is truly one of the great lost gems of the American musical theatre. Marc Blitzstein wrote it in 1937, but don't be fooled: though there are plenty of clever references to the period -- both politically and musically -- everything about this show is ahead of its time. The American musical would not catch up to Blitzstein in intelligence, wit, and musical bravado until the days of Bernstein and Sondheim. The original great American polemic musical, "The Cradle Will Rock" sowed the seeds of later social operas such as "West Side Story" and "Les Misérables". Loved "Urinetown"? Now come hear what it was based on! All the stock characters are here: the innocent prostitute (Moll), the ruthless capitalist villain (Mr. Mister), the idealistic revolutionary (Larry Foreman), and a whole slew of eccentric supporting characters. But don't think for a minute that "Cradle" is a drab socialist lecture. If anything, it's one of the funniest musicals I've ever heard. Blitzstein's ability to simultaneously project a serious social message -- after all, this was the first serious musical, told from a worker's perspective, in American history -- while at the same time keeping the audience roaring the whole way through. Plus, as purely a historical document, "Cradle" is a magnificent depiction, in microcosm, of the world of the Depression and the social structure and conflict that any industrial society can create. Its views are unabashedly socialist, of course, but it's still good fun for anyone of any political ideology.

But if you've made it to this page, chances are you alrady know something about the show. Now onto the particular recording. This recording is simply the definitive recording of "The Cradle Will Rock" on the market. Don't be fooled by the fewer number of tracks on this recording as compared to other recordings; every line and note of the show is included here. The cast performs with a confidence, assurance, and sheer dramatic and vocal talent unmatched by any other recording. Only on this recording does the scathing humor of Blitzstein's lyrics truly come out. One can almost see the hand of director Daniel Henning, who has guided his cast to a crystal-clear interpretation of the text. His liner notes, though disappointingly short, nonetheless convey a great deal about the show and his own take on it. And the accompaniment -- by "Cradle" convention, just a piano -- sounds remarkably full.

Buy this CD. You'll thank me later.

7 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A First-Rate Production, October 4, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Cradle Will Rock (1994 Los Angeles Cast) (Audio CD)

Superb! Daniel Henning and the Blank Theater Company have produced what will surely be the definitive recording of the classic Blitzstein production. Top-notch performances all around.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This is actually good...., February 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Cradle Will Rock (1985 London Cast) (Audio CD)

Well, to be honest, I've never actually heard Patti LuPone's version....however, she's talented, so I figuere that it's good. I have heard the music before, I believe it was a very early cast recording on record. The songs are humorous and heartfelt, and you can't help but get them stuck in your head after you've heard them. In my opinion, the two best are "Joe Worker" and "The Nickel Under Your Foot". Check this one out, you may never have heard of it, but it's rather good.