Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (1993 Los Angeles Cast) [Cast Recording]

Robert Torti, Clifford David, Kelli Rabke, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Michael Damian, Tim Rice | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 22, 1993)
• Original Release Date: June 22, 1993
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Cast Recording
• Label: Really Useful Records/Polydor (Decca Broadway)
• ASIN: B000001E34
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (60 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #44,405 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #16 in Music > Broadway & Vocalists > Musicals > Revivals

Track Listings

1. Prologue

2. Any Dream Will Do

3. Medley

4. Joseph's Dream

5. Poor, Poor Joseph

6. One More Angel in Heaven

7. Potiphar

8. Close Every Door

9. Go, Go, Go Joseph

10. Pharaoh Story

11. Poor, Poor Pharaoh

12. Song of the King (Seven Fat Cows)

13. Pharaoh's Dreams Explained

14. Stone the Crows

15. Those Canaan Days

16. Medley

17. Who's the Thief

18. Benjamin Calypso

19. Joseph All the Time

20. Jacob in Egypt

See all 22 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

If you were to think this 1993 Los Angeles revival cast of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat sounds a lot like the 1991 London revival cast and the 1992 Canadian revival cast, you'd be right. All three use the glitzy version of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's school-cantata-turned-musical based on the biblical story of Joseph and his coat of many colors, which debuted with the London revival in 1991 and became the basis for most subsequent productions, as well as the video version. Yes, the "Joseph Megamix" is here, along with the witty lyrics and catchy melodies that borrow freely from country, calypso, French cafés, and Elvis--as well as favorites "Any Dream Will Do," "Close Every Door," and "Go, Go, Go Joseph." And orchestral credits, cover art, and running time are almost exactly the same, leading one to believe that the various casts recorded their vocals over the same prerecorded orchestral tracks.

So is there any difference between the three? Yes, the singers, most notably the role of the narrator and the title character. The London production starred Linzi Hateley as the narrator and Australian pop singer Jason Donovan as Joseph. For the 1992 Canadian cast, former teen pop sensation Donny Osmond took over the title role, with Janet Metz as the narrator. For this 1993 Los Angeles cast, Michael Damian was Joseph and Kelli Rabke the narrator. All the narrators are solid, though Hateley is probably the best overall. The biggest difference is Osmond, the clear winner with a terrific voice and irresistible warmth, contrasted with Donovan's somewhat thick and heavy singing and Damian's rather deliberate pronunciation. You really don't need more than one of these Josephs, and the Canadian cast is the one to have. --David Horiuchi

Product Description

The original Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, has celebrated a triumphant comeback on the West End stage! Following in the foot steps of the Sound Of Music, the part of Joseph and the Pharaoh are being played by Lee Mead and Dean Collinson, the winners of the BBC1 talent search show Any Dream Will Do. The album features the 22 tracks of the original Joseph album featuring Jason Donovan and includes his number one single from 1991 'Any Dream Will Do', as well as Lee Mead's equally successful version of the same track in 2007. Polydor. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My Favorite Rock Opera!, January 10, 2000

By 

Caroline (NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (1993 Los Angeles Cast) (Audio CD)

I was very familiar with this CD when I bought it - I had actually been in several productions of "Joseph" before. So I was surprised to find how interesting and different it was from our version. I thought the singers were phenomenal and the Narrator, especially, was absolutely fabulous. Everyone in the cast had perfect diction and each song had its own personality. I recommend this CD very highly.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THIS IN ONE AMAZING, TECHNICOLOR CD!, November 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (1993 Los Angeles Cast) (Audio CD)

I have had the amazing oportunity to be involved in a production of Joseph and it can't be beat! This revival that originated in the early 90's is one of Lloyd Webber's best. It's amazing musical score and its catchy tunes are hard to surpass. Michael Damian is one of the best Joseph's I have ever heard, and this production's Narrorator is truly a treat. If you ever have the opportunity to see this amazing show I encourage you to GO GO GO to Joseph. This CD is a fabulous tribute to a great show, and a must have for all Joseph fans!

17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Very Good Recording Cast but Michael Damian ruins it . . ., August 19, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (1993 Los Angeles Cast) (Audio CD)

I've watched the video (outstanding!) and I've listened to the Canadian cast recording (excellent!) and now I've heard the L.A. cast recording and when I first started listening to it, Kelli Rabke just blew me away with her excellent and powerful voice as the narrator. WOW!...I was thinking, this is going to be an excellent CD. THen, Michael Damian started singing and my ears almost started hurting from his terrible recording on Joseph's Part. Don't get me wrong, I've never seen him perform on stage (maybe he's a good actor!) but his voice is just terrible. He has the ability to sing the part but it just sounds fake and emotionless. It sounds more like sustained talking rather than singing and it just ruined the whole thing for me. I was rather dissappointed because Kelli Rabke does an awesome job, Robert Torti is perfect as Pharoah and all the other voices are excellent (even the Butler & Baker!) but whenever Michael Damian sings it makes me almost cover my ears and it distracts from the rest of the cast. Donny Osmond is the best Joseph in my opinion. If only there was only a recording with Donny Osmond as Joseph & Kelli Rabke as the Narrator then there would be the perfect recording. I only recommend this recording if you like the powerful Narrator part of the musical. If you rather have the stronger Joseph vocals then buy the CANADIAN CAST RECORDING. But if you want a combination of "the Perfect cast" then just buy the video tape or DVD version where Maria Friedman as the narrator also does an oustanding job and Donny Osmond shows his strong vocals and much emotion in his acting interpritation as Joseph.