Customer Reviews

Gypsy (1993 TV Soundtrack)

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This made-for-TV version of the classic Broadway show GYPSY is remarkable. Bette Midler is ideally-cast as fearsome Mama Rose with Cynthia Gibb as a deeply-affecting Louise/Gypsy.

Bette Midler is dynamite as Mama Rose, the ultimate stage mother. She reportedly recorded most of her songs live, without the pre-recorded vocal track. The role had been a dream of Midler's for years. She makes an indelible impression in the role.

Cynthia Gibb (THE KAREN CARPENTER STORY) plays Louise, who would blossom into the burlesque stripper Gypsy Rose Lee. She has a pleasant singing voice, and gives the bittersweet number "Little Lamb" a lot of poignance.

Peter Riegert plays Herbie, Rose's love interest. In a very under-developed and not very well-written role, Riegert tries his best. He also sings wonderfully.

In supporting roles are Jennifer Beck as June, Christine Ebersole (OKLAHOMA!, 42ND STREET) as Tessie Tura, Anna McNeely (BEAUTY AND THE BEAST) as Elektra, Linda Hart (HAIRSPRAY, ANYTHING GOES) as Mazeppa, and Jeffrey Broadhurst as Tulsa.

Highly-recommended. [ATLANTIC 7567825512]

I loved watching the TV version of "Gypsy" with Bette Midler, so I decided to buy the CD. I'm glad I did. Yes, it has all of the same songs that the other Gypsy soundtracks have, but Bette Midler portrays Rose very well. When I hear her sing, I feel as if I'm watching "Gypsy." She, along with the rest of the cast do a wonderful job.

Every song's a lively winner in this gutsy new remake of the 1960's classic "GYPSY." The fisrt film version was changed a bit and all the songs weren't accounted for. But in this new 1993 remake version, it's got all the songs and it's got Bette! Bette Midler steps up to the ultimate role for an older women in Musical Theatre. MAMA ROSE. Not only does she have to fill some pretty heavy shoes of the women who previously played the role through the years such as : Ethel Merman (available on CD), Angela Lansbury (On CD), and Tyne Dayly (On CD), but she might have even surpassed them! Every time Midler appears you're glued to the television, and the same goes for when you listen to the CD. You're glued. She's phenomenal, she's fierce, she's perfect. She won the Emmy for her portrayal as MAMA ROSE respectively. Her POWERHOUSE performance of the infamous ACT II Aria "Rose's Turn" is, in my book, untouchable. Even Ethel, even Betty Buckly's version cannot top Bette's. If you listen carefully you can hear all the sudden character changes and choices in her voice as she loses all hope and despair, into the final notes of the song "EVERYTHING'S COMING UP ROOOSE! " She's the only one who clearly gets it. The supporting cast is fabulous too! Cynthia Gibb who plays meek little Louise who gets turned into the fabulous stripper Gypsy Rose Lee does a surprisingly well job. Peter Riegert plays Herby, Rose's love interest, and plays it with style. Dainty June is played by tiny belter Jennifer Beck. Baby June is played by T.V's "Party of Five's" Lacey Chabert (Claudia). All songs are wonderful. ... Interesting tib bit : For any of you who saw "Miss Saigon in L.A at the Ahamanson theatre in 1995 will notice Peter Lockyer, the actor who played Chris, in the film GYPSY as one of the Farm Boys!

Bette Midler's brilliant big beautiful voice matched Mamma Rose perfectly. She fills the room with energy and exitment. But you would expect that from a Golden Globe, Emmy, and Grammy award winner wouldn't you. Cynthia Gibb's delicate honest voice was perfectly fitted for Louise and her transition to a Big and confident voice was excellent for the role of Gypsy Rose Lee. The songs are clear and the music is great. This CD is definetly a hit.

I recently watched this made for TV musical on video and then bought the soundtrack. Bette is perfect as Rose, when you place all of the women who have played her side by side, Bette is number two next to Ethel Merman; too bad Bette never has played her in any Broadway revival. Everyone was perfect in the TV version and on this CD also. If you like Gypsy, this is a must have version.

Gypsy was a popular stage show & vehicle for Ethel Merman and made into a film with Rosalind Russell & Natalie Wood as Gypsy Rose Lee or Louise Horvick. In 1993 a TV version was made with Bette Midler as Mama Rose at the same length as the original film release time. The soundtrack CD appears to be taken from the film's soundtrack with the incidental dialogue intact thru the songs. There are many hits from this show and overall the CD is pleasant listening and an added bonus to the DVD of the show.

A terrific, crisp remake. Well worth adding to your collection if you love musicals.

but Merman Rules!!
but seriously...this is a truly excellent version of one of my favorite shows. Bette sparkles and struts and does her stuff so well. she can belt the songs as required, the entire production is so full of energy and wit. buy it!! (But Merman rules!! :))

this is an awesome soundtrack it is enjoyable and fun to listen to. the best songs on this disc are all of them

I own a different copy of Gypsy that is terrible, not the songs, but the recording. So after chatting with some old friends from school (we did Gypsy, I was lucky enough to play MaZeppa) I decided that I needed a version of the musical that I could really sing along with.

Having seen the TV movie I decided to go with the Bette Midler version, as it seems to have the majority of the songs on it and Bette is always good for some loud, crisp, belted out vocals.

What was great -
-With the songs haveing been recorded for TV, the sound quality is the best of the CDs that I have heard (there are a few versions out there that I have NOT heard so take that with a grain of salt)
-The kids are fantastic - all of them, Tulsa's "All I need is the Girl" is smooth and vocally wonderful. "If Mama was Married" and "Little Lamb" show off the young girls voices and are so touching... "Little Lamb" almost brings me to tears.
-Bette Midler belts it out as we expect her to.

What kept this from being 5 stars:
-I wanted ALL of Gypsy's first show... it is cut down so much that all you have is the intro, the guys stating the cities, and her brassy ending.
-Herby, though played by a FANTASTIC actor, is NOT a good singer. Granted it's a weak part.
-Bette Midler plays a very loud, Rose... which is fine, but her volume and determination to belt it out at the top of her lungs costs us... we loose much of the subtly and the emotion of Rose, particularly in "Roses Turn" I didn't feel the pain and agony that many of the other actresses brought to that specific song.

Still - If you enjoy musicals, this is a MUST OWN.