Follies: The Complete Recording (1998 New Jersey Cast) [Soundtrack]

Kaye Ballard, Stephen Sondheim, Tony Roberts, Phyllis Newman, Liliane Montevecchi, Laurence Guittard, Ann Miller, Donna McKechnie, Follies (Related Recordings) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 27, 1998)
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Tvt Records
• ASIN: B00000DHUP
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,760,288 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A bit too perfect, but still a must-have!, November 3, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Follies: The Complete Recording (1998 New Jersey Cast) (Audio CD)

At long last, Sondheim's "Follies" has received a recording that can truly claim to be a complete representation of the show. All the songs from the 1971 original are included, with complete dance music (including the never before recorded "Bolero d'Amour"), along with an appendix of alternate and cut songs, all performed by the excellent cast of the recent Papermill production. Any fan of the musical will want this CD; anyone looking for an introduction can do no better. I do have a few minor quibbles--the artwork leaves much to be desired, three of the songs written for the 1987 London production have been omitted, no longer considered part of the "Follies" canon, and the one surviving song from that production, "Ah, But Underneath" has replaced the beloved "Lucy and Jessie" (the older song is included in the appendix, though, complete for the first time)--and one major one. The album's very perfection seems to be its greatest flaw: the tempos are occasionally leaden, the performances laid back, and the nervous energy that drives the show on stage is often lacking. (A similar phenomenon is observable on the lukewarm 1995 Broadway revival recording of "Company.") But with the opportunity to hear Phyllis's three "Loveland" numbers together on one disc, or "The Right Girl" in the performing version, or the ravishing "Bring on the Girls" (another never-before-heard item), I am more than willing to forgive this "Follies" its shortcomings and give it its place of honor among its predecessors--right next to the stereo.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A real collector's item!, August 3, 2001

By 

Rusty Kransky "Rusty Kransky" (Greenport, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Follies: The Complete Recording (1998 New Jersey Cast) (Audio CD)

I was not among those fortunate enough to see this production, but the recording is excellent. Dee Hoty and Donna McKechnie shine (although the best Sally remains Barbara Cook!) What makes this CD so outstanding are the "bonus tracks" - songs cut from the original production that are included here with liner notes from the great Sondheim himself. Definitely recommended for all musical theater fans and ESPECIALLY Follies fanatics!

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Uneven, but still wonderful recording of a great show, July 30, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Follies: The Complete Recording (1998 New Jersey Cast) (Audio CD)

I was fortunate enough to attend the Paper Mill's production of Follies, and after listening to this recording, I think I was so overwhelmed by the physical aspects (and my foreknowledge of the score) that I didnt notice the flaws in casting and performing which are readily apparent here. Dee Hoty is marvelous, her chic elegance and stunning voice well suited to the part of Phyllis. Donna McKechnie was, in performance, and is, on CD, absolutely perfect for Sally, outshining even Barbara Cook's performance in the 1985 concert. Ann Miller and Kaye Ballard are also great. Tony Roberts, however, was badly miscast, and Lawrence Guittard, though in good voice, brings no emotion to his part. As for the CD itself, many songs have too slick and synthetic a feel to them, and the performers are often WAY too close to the mikes. Many songs are done in either far too slow or fast a tempo, and the chorus occasionally sounds shrill. The additional tracks are great, but I wish Ann Miller could have done all of "Can That Boy Foxtrot!" rather than just the first verse. Also, there are still some missing songs (like the London additions- sure, they're weak, but the recording isnt really complete without them). Overall, however, its far preferable to the original record, and is a good companion to the concert CDs.