Guys and Dolls (1995 Studio Cast) (First Complete Recording) [Cast Recording]

Frank Loesser (Composer, Conductor), National Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra), Nicolas Colicos (Performer), Kim Criswell (Performer), David Green (Performer), Liz Greenaway (Performer), Brian Greene (Performer), Tinuke Olafimihan (Performer), Donna Stephenson (Performer), Danielle Carson (Performer), Gregg Edelman (Performer), Tim Flavin (Performer), Katrina Murphy (Performer), Emily Loesser (Performer), Jackie Marks (Performer), Joyce Teevar (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Nicolas Colicos, Kim Criswell, David Green, Liz Greenaway, Brian Greene, et al.
• Orchestra: National Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: Frank Loesser
• Composer: Frank Loesser
• Audio CD (June 18, 1996)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Cast Recording
• Label: Jay Records
• ASIN: B000005BHQ
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #203,300 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Overture

2. Runyonland

3. Fugue for Tinhorns

4. Follow the Fold

5. The Oldest Established

6. I'll Know

7. A Bushel and a Peck

8. Adelaide's Lament

9. Guys and Dolls

10. Havana

See all 13 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Entr'acte

2. Take Back Your Mink

3. Adelaide's Second Lament

4. More I Cannot Wish You

5. The Crapshooters' Dance

6. Luck be a Lady

7. Sue Me

8. Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Boat

9. Adelaide Meets Sarah

10. Marry the Man Today

See all 23 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Rich in humor, romance, and appealing characters, to say nothing of some of the most exuberant and lovingly crafted songs to be found in any show, Frank Loesser's Guys and Dolls is as close as you can get to a perfect musical. In the theatre, it's impossible not to get caught up in the swinging title song, the tender duets of reforming gangster Sky Masterson and mellowing Salvation Army missionary Sarah Brown ("I've Never Been In Love Before"), or the risqué nightclub set pieces and comic lamentations of the perennial fiancée, Miss Adelaide ("Take Back Your Mink"). Here, for a complete recording, the show springs to life in the studio thanks to some sympathetic performances and John Owen Edwards's taut conducting. Kim Criswell is an excellent Adelaide, funny and touching in her frustrated attempts to get Nathan down the aisle. Most poignant of all, Loesser's daughter Emily sings Sarah Brown's songs with a natural simplicity. They are well matched by Gregg Edelman and Tim Flavin as their respective beaux. It's a treat to hear, with the added bonus of songs written specially for the 1955 film. --Piers Ford

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Grab this Recording...and I mean quick!, December 30, 2000

By 

Peter Prainito (Lombard, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Guys and Dolls (1995 Studio Cast) (First Complete Recording) (Audio CD)

Guys and Dolls has been very well served on CD. This recording on Jay Records is a diamond in the rough. Several years ago there was a Broadway revival starring Nathan Lane and Peter Gallagher. From that wonderful production came a great CD, which every fan of this musical should own. The subject of this review is a studio recording made in 1995. It is in everyway just as outstanding a CD as the Broadway revival recording. In it are Kim Criswell as Adelaide, and Emily Loesser (Frank's daughter) as Sister Sarah. Both sing their roles with idiomatic charm. An added bonus to this very complete (2 CD) recording are new renditions of some tunes found only in the movie (starring Frank Sinatra and Marlon Brando), including "A Woman in Love". It bears repeating, grab this recording before it goes out of print. I promise buyers will be delighted with this gem.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Recording, December 30, 1999

By 

"showreviewer" (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Guys and Dolls (1995 Studio Cast) (First Complete Recording) (Audio CD)

This is probably the best recording of this show I have heard. The singers are great and Sarah is good. The singer has trouble in a few spots but overall still performs Sarah better than the other recordings I have. The orchestra on this CD is absolutely incredible. They have a hot, tight sound and make the show come alive! An interesting point about this CD is that the music is obviously extended since a lot of the music doesn't appear in the original score. There is a song called "Pet me papa, Papa pet me now" that is excellent. I don't think you will be disappointed in this CD set at all!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent as a reference, some good performances, November 18, 2007

By 

C. Van Patten (Mohawk, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Guys and Dolls (1995 Studio Cast) (First Complete Recording) (Audio CD)

This is certainly the definitive recording of Mr. Loesser's music. It is likely the most complete recorded version we have. I personally prefer the more modernly orchestrated 1992 Cast Recording, but this is definitely the most accurate.

There are a few performances that (in my opinion) are not the best we've heard. Stubby Kaye is still the best Nicely-Nicely. Nathan Lane was a great Nathan Detroit. This album shines though with Emily Loesser's fantastic performance as Sarah. She sings the role as if she was born to do so - it easy for her. Every song she sings is a highlight, and I often end up getting just a bit excited if I know one of her songs is queued up.

All in all this particular album is good. Ms. Loesser is the highlight, and undoubtedly the accuracy of the music will prove useful to those producing the show in theatres (the 1992 Cast Recording is good, but don't get used to it, directors!). It is certainly worth owning.