Evita (Original London Cast) [CAST RECORDING]

Andrew Lloyd Webber (Composer, Performer), Elaine Paige (Performer), Joss Ackland (Performer), Siobhán McCarthy (Performer), Tim Rice (Artist)

Product Details

• Performer: Andrew Lloyd Webber, Elaine Paige, Joss Ackland, Siobhán McCarthy
• Composer: Andrew Lloyd Webber
• Audio CD (August 19, 1998)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Cast Recording
• Label: Mca UK
• ASIN: B00000B9FS
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #47,065 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Original London Cast of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Evita.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brillant recording, July 2, 2004

By	ZenPenguin (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews

The thing about ''Evita'' is that it is such a remarkable musical that the different interpretations are each worthy of owning and enjoying, much like listening to different interpretations of Bach or Mozart. The largest negative about this recording is that it's incomplete (which is hardly a negative: ''The worst thing about the London Cast recording is that there isn't more...''). Elaine Paige is stunning, and her performance alone is worth the money. Her vocal range, power, emotion, and expression are awe-inspiring, and the recording seems tailored to complement her performance. The orchestration is light and subtle, most likely to show off the powerful vocals. David Essex as ''Che'' continues to grow on me (my first impression were not all that favorable) and Joss Ackland is superb. The more I listen to this recording, the more it becomes my overall favorite by far.

The Broadway Cast double album is essential if you want the complete musical and to understand the story, and the production is marked by full orchestration and very large cast. The concept album has its pluses and unique characteristics, but in terms of overall performance I feel the London cast does a better job vocally (especially Elaine) and the Broadway cast is a fuller production. I would probably recommend the Broadway album as a first choice, simply to get the full musical and to listen to a very large production of this incredible work. However, for subtlety, grace, and outstanding performances, the London Cast highlight album stands ahead of all the rest.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Definitive Evita performances mark highlight album, September 26, 2000

By	"bsplayers" (Muskegon, MI) - See all my reviews

I was fortunate enough to have seen the original Evita at the Prince Edward Theatre in London with 2/3 of the cast recorded on this album (Gary Bond had replaced David Essex) in 1979 and was so impressed that immediately after I went searching for the nearest music store to purchase the record. My only regret is that Webber and Rice did not record the entire performance for posterity, as Elaine Paige is THE definitive Evita (what a shame she was not allowed to recreate her wonderfully passionate and totally involving performance on Broadway-she was not considered a major star by Equity at the time-and had to wait until Sunset Boulevard to show American audiences how she can interpret a diva role!) Even without the benefit of the visual, Elaine emerges on this album as a brilliant interpreter of this difficult and demanding role, with her unique and powerful voice capturing every nuance and every emotion with clarity, fire, and authenticity. She soars as the rural girl with stardust dreams in "Buenos Aires;" evinces a knowing tongue-in-cheek attitude on "Goodbye and Thank You" and "I'd Be Surprisingly Good for You;" mesmerizes not only the Argentines with her rendition of "Don't Cry for Me, Argentina;" spews fiery, determined ambition and scathing viterbation on "A New Argentina" and "Rainbow High;" yet she can be convincingly vulnerable and tragic in the quieter moments ("Oh, what I'd give for a hundred years)-and her "Final Broadcast" on stage was incredible! Joss Ackland as slickly ambitious but lazy and indecisive Peron (primarily a non-musical actor) and David Essex as the sarcastic, antagonistic Che also turn in fine performances (although some may prefer the Mandy Patinkin interpretation of Che) reprising their stage roles, as does Barbara Dickson as Peron's Mistress (listen to the London recording of Chess for an exceptional duet between Paige and Dickson on "I Know Him So Well"). If you've only heard Paige perform "Don't Cry for Me, Argentina" on the Encore album (which was well done but was more concert-driven than performance-oriented) or if you've only heard the "White/Black" concept album or the "Red/Black/White" American cast album, do yourself a favor and get this CD-- the "Silver/Black/White" London Cast highlight album is pure gold!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An "Evita" with both bite and tenderness, July 13, 2001

By	Michael J. Mazza (Pittsburgh, PA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

"Evita," the pop opera with lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, has been released on CD in a number of versions. This CD is the London stage cast, with Elaine Paige in the title role and David Essex as Che. The cast does a superb job with this powerful material.

"Evita" tells the story of Eva Peron, who was First Lady of Argentina during the presidency of her husband, Juan Peron. This is a classic story of ambition, resentment, and political upheaval, and Evita is one of musical theater's most fascinating characters.

Paige is an excellent Evita. Her performance is sweet at times, and on some songs her voice has a real bite. I was particularly impressed by her rendition of "Buenos Aires": her Evita sounds both seductive and dangerous. Essex is an excellent foil for Paige; the character's anger and satiric perspective are nicely complemented by Essex's slightly rough voice. The supporting performers also shine. I especially liked Joss Ackland's tender version of "She Is a Diamond."

Unfortunately, this disc contains only excerpts from this production, and appears to be missing material that is found on other versions. Nevertheless, the power of this cast makes this "Evita" an essential disc.