Customer Reviews

Godspell (1993 London Studio Cast)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've performed in and directed Godspell. I've listened to every recording of it as well, and this is my favorite. While I do enjoy the two newest cast recordings, I think that this recording really captures the essence of Godspell. This cast used the original music and orchestrations while still freshening the vocal style. The songs are beautifully sung by a wonderful cast. Tower of Babble and the Prolouge are a nice addition as well, being sung as they were originally intended. All Good Gifts, By My Side and On the Willows are standouts as well. I agree that the new Godspell recordings offer something interesting and fresh, but if you love the classic Godspell, this is the recording for you.

I love this version. Almost as much as I love the movie and the 1971 version. The main reason I love this alubm, is because of Paul Manual's version of All Good Gifts, my favorite Godspell song. Its not like Lamar Alford's overpowering version on the 1971 alubm, or Merrial Jackson's pop sound. Both are great, but this alubm's version has the best harmonies and just the right touch of sweetness, gives All Good Gifts a great sound. This alubm is much more complete, having the Prolouge, which has the actors singing individual sections, then they all sing them again at the same time, there must of been seven voices going at the same time. Some songs are a tad weaker, like Day By Day and Bless the Lord, but the whole alubm sounded the way Godspell should be. I would recommend this one over the newer techno versions, if like them buy them, but this is for people who love the orginal Godspell and Godspell in general

This recording uses the same band constituents as recommended for production of Godspell, and has all of the songs from the score, plus a delightfully different solo version of Beautiful City. The vocals are true to the score, and as such, this album is great addition to any collection, as well as a fantastic tool for anyone thinking about producing Godspell.

Yes, this one includes the clever Prologue/Tower of Babble ("So high/in my/lovely ivory tower of babble, babble, babble, babble..." & "Beautiful City" sound even lovelier than the movie soundtrack version. This one also has Ruthie Henshall, a big West End musical star. I was lucky to see her sing Amalia in the West End revival of "She Loves Me" at the gorgeous Savoy theater. So sure, go ahead & buy this, but AVOID the techno-pop cd of "Godspell" that was recorded out of London at the same time as this. Don't get them mixed up - the musical director of that totally changed the orchestrations, even the rhythm of many of the songs. It's a mess

After reading the reviews of this album I was excited about buying it. After listing to the tracks, I'm glad I have the original recording. I find that although this cast tried, the energy just isn't there. Most of the songs are slightly under tempo- a prime example is "Alas for You." It has no drive or passion behind it. "O Bless the Lord" has lost its rock rhythm and picked up a more swing feel. The orchestration is hollow, empty and lacks the fullness of the original. The cast needs to learn what it means to blend, and not to push the sound. The MIDI shofar and recorder didn't work w/ the context of the show, and seemed out of place. On the plus side, this is the only complete recording i know of. Other things that worked well were the "Prologue," "God Save the People," "All Good Gifts," and "Finale" Other songs had nice elements, but as a whole didn't work after hearing the original recording. Being in the show myself, I know what level of energy is required and sadly its not there. I was not impressed. If you want a full-show recording, this is the one for you. However, I highly recommend the original!!

Definitely a must-have for anyone mounting a production of Godspell; it includes all of the pertinent vocal music arranged mainly as received from the leasing company (MTI, in my case) -- most importantly, it contains "The Prologue" without any lyric changes as in subsequent editions. It doesn't take some of the wide diversions in the film soundtrack, and uses the twelve-voice cast as it was originally written. The few changes it does, in fact, make are easy to understand and work with. Godspell as it should be, simple and beautiful.

This is the only recording of the entire score of GODSPELL. Recorded under the composer's direction, this studio cast recording is a must-have for Stephen Schwartz fans and for people who have known and loved GODSPELL over the years. It's clearer than the original cast album and doesn't suffer from the prettied-up harmonies and arrangements of the movie soundtrack. It's also the ONLY recording that uses the same arrangements that are supplied by the licensing agency, so it's perfect for anyone participating in a production of this classic musical.

This version once was extremely rare, it being from the UK, and many "Godspell" fans, including myself, yearned for this CD. When I finally heard it, I was happy, but slightly disappointed. It was wondefully sung, with talented British actors and vocalists, but it was a bit boring. I mean, I have heard no version of "Godspell" as this that has been so spiritless. It seems the actors are bored while singing this. Another thing that bothered me, and I don't know why, is that "Learn Your Lessons Well" and "Bless the Lord" are on one track together, "Bless the Lord" fading in at the end of "Learn Your Lessons Well." Why is this? Did Jay Records just not want to have one track for a short song? I didn't like that. But on a plus side, for some (those who dislike the new, original arrangements of the 2000 Off-Broadway Cast and the 2001 National Tour cast), there is no originality in this at all, meaning the EXACT arrangements are used. I was OK with the original music, me being in "Godspell" in high school and being used to this arrangement, but like I said, it doesn't make you want to dance or rejoice, just listen to it. No real enthusiasm or emotion, but it's not that bad. I liked this version, but some might not. If you're looking for spirit and originality, check out one of the new versions, but those looking for the original arrangements by Stephen Schwartz, this is what you want. If you're a "Godspell" fan, get this no matter what.

Godspell is a very difficult show to categorize; not quite rock, not quite show tunes, not quite anything. Although the various other recordings are very good, i have to admit that I like this one the best simply becasue of the presence of the Prologue, a terrific (although complicated, and some say unneccesary) little piece at the beginning. On this recording, that as well as several other songs are well done - God Save the People, All For the Best, Beautiful City, and On the Willows are very well represented. However, many other tracks are just dull; there is no feeling at all in Bless the Lord My Soul, Alas For You, or We Beseech Thee; they are totally flat. The singing is top notch, as is the small orchestra, and the cd is quite worth it; just dont expect any sort of real performances.

From all the albums I've heard of Godspell's music, the CD for this performance is by far my favourite. Using the traditional instrumentation and original lyrics, and produced by composer Schwartz himself, this 1993 adaptation of Godspell is a delightful addition to a collector of musical theatre.

There isn't a terrible track on this CD. 'Prologue (Tower of Babel)', the opening company piece, is a whirlwind of talented voices singing a variety of variations resulting a chaos for the show's catchiest piece. Darren Day's vocals lead the ensemble for 'Save the People', an elating tune, while Jacqueline delivers a solid performance on the show's most well known piece, 'Day by Day'. The ever catchy 'Light of the World' and the gorgeous and expressive 'By My Side' are faithfully performed with strong solo performances combined with a strong accompaniment from the company. My personal favourites, 'Beautiful City' is a light and sweet ballad expressing the triumphs of society over the tragedies of the world, and 'All Good Gifts' which is the strongest and most pure composition of the show (for the best

There have been comments regarding the score being too slow in certain places, but I think that the tempos for certain songs (ie: Alas for You) are perfectly appropriate, and manage to still portray the driving emotions behind them while not producing mumbling and incomprehensible chaos. It's also noteworthy that the performance of 'Finale' in this score is not exactly sung in character, meaning that the melody of the song isn't compromised by the performer's in-character wailing.

All the performers on this CD are quite high calibre - back in the day, some were billed as the next, up-and-coming West End stars. Schwartz has crafted a very catchy score, both expressive and heartfelt while still producing the upbeat and expressive tunes. While other CD performances have stronger arrangements on certain songs (check the Godspell (2001 National Touring Cast) for the most beautiful adaptation of 'All Good Gifts'), this CD is an excellent, full score of Godspell which catches the true essence and spirit of the show.