Customer Reviews

The King And I (1992 Hollywood Studio Cast)

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

If you are a Lea fan, you would not want to miss this album. She is even more wonderful in it than in Miss Saigon. I did not know she could reach those high notes. She has 3 songs in it, "My Lord and Master", "We Kiss in the Shadow" and "I Have Dreamed" and they are all fantastic.

Julie, Peabo and Ben Kingsley also gave justice to their roles. A must buy for all musical lovers!!!

This sparkling recording of the beloved Rodgers and Hammerstein musical is a good addition to your collection. John Mauceri and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra present the sumptuous arrangements orchestrated by Alfred Newman for the 1956 movie version, with a magical pairing of Julie Andrews and Ben Kingsley in the title roles.

Julie Andrews, it seemed, was born to play the role of Mrs Anna, though starring in a production strangely alluded her throughout her career. Happily, the situation is somewhat rectified with this recording. As expected, she offers up a glowing performance as the unflappable Mrs Anna, and sings superbly in all her numbers particularly "Hello Young Lovers" and "Shall I Tell You What I Think of You?".

Ben Kingsley (GANDHI) is wonderful as the imperious King, a role that is still vastly-identified with Yul Brynner, and offers his own unique spin to the character. He has a charming, talkative singing voice and has a good command and grasp of the material.

The role of the tragic Tuptim is played by Lea Salonga (MISS SAIGON, FLOWER DRUM SONG), with Lun-Tha played by pop singer Peabo Bryson. Salonga offers up an exceptional rendition of "My Lord and Master" and joins Bryson for the soaring duets "We Kiss in a Shadow" and "I Have Dreamed".

Legendary opera star Marilyn Horne essays the role of Lady Thiang, and wraps her warm voice around the heartbreaking "Something Wonderful". The cast is rounded out with Mevina Liufau and Edmund Kingsley; with clever cameos from Martin Sheen and Roger Moore.

This recording is a must, if only to hear Julie Andrews singing the role that got away...

First, I am biased in that I am a fan of Lea Salonga and Julie Andrews (which is primarily the reason for me purchasing the CD). Salonga is fabulous here! Aside from them, the characters are suitably sung/spoken by Ben Kingsley, Julie Andrews, and Lea Salonga. I enjoyed Peabo Bryson's duets with Salonga very much, though his voice did not fit his character. Marilyn Horne's voice was not quite my taste. The orchestrations were flawless, sweeping, and image-provoking. This is an excellent "King and I" CD. I have the 1996 revival CD as well (with Lou Diamond Phillips). But this CD surpasses the 1996 cast recording. This cast's spoken dialogue and singing are rich with character.

This stellar cast of wonderful singers/musical theater actors show off the beautiful, magnificent score of Rodgers and Hammerstein's King and I. With Julie Andrews playing Anna, Lea Salonga and Peabo Bryson playing the doomed lovers and American mezzo-soprano Marilyn Horne guesting to sing "Something Wonderful", the musical was brought to great heights while making us more understanding of the Asian culture interspersing with the Western ways. The musical is worth getting just because of the duets of Salonga - Bryson. Andrews' singing is an added ingredient to this recording.

This version is a perfect reincarnation of this well loved musical. Julie Andrews' voice fits Ms. Anna perfectly. This album is a welcome change for Lea Salonga and Peabo Bryson in that Lea beautifully sings in a soprano voice and Peabo's versatility just shines. The dialogues are well spoken. The music and the ochestrations are much richer than any version I've heard. Can't miss on this one!

By the early 1990s, those of us who appreciated the classics of the Broadway stage were beginning to extend our gratitude to their creators with the remastered prints of classic films such as "Gypsy", "West Side Story" & "Guys and Dolls". But I don't think any of them received the royal treatment in the way the Rodgers and Hammerstein Collection did. In 1990, to commemorate the silver anniversary of the film version of "The Sound of Music", CBS/FOX Video also released the five other Rodgers and Hammerstein classics that were transferred to the screen. Among them, was one of the most lavish, best-loved motion pictures in history (and my favorite)... "The King and I". This started a buzz that we're still experiencing years later, with either a new edition of the films, a new cast recording of a Broadway revivial, or in the case of this one, an occasional remake. In 1992, orchestrator John Mauceri began work on the arrangements of a new cast recording of the film version starring Yul Brynner and Deborah Kerr. The arrangements on this album are exactly parallel to the motion picture arrangements and the score is extended to the point where you hear more of the underscore that was heard in the film but not added to it's soundtrack. In addition, the cast has dialogue spoken as well. Julie Andrews and Lea Salonga give the most memorable performances as Anna and Tuptim respectively. Ben Kingsley also gives a fine rendition as the King (although he is no Yul Brynner). Marilyn Horne, a superior talent of the opera world performs the part of Lady Thiang with the story's theme song, "Something Good", Peabo Bryson is Lun Tha, Tuptim's true love and sings the love songs "We Kiss in a Shadow" and "I Have Dreamed" as a duet with Salonga. Plus, guest appearances are made by Martin Sheen as the Kralahome (the King's prime minister) and Roger Moore as Edward (an old beau of Anna's who still has eyes only for her). The roles are played out brilliantly as well as unique but the orchestrations are just as much a star as the performers. I reccomend this great album to any fan of Rodgers and Hammerstein, Julie Andrews or Lea Salonga. If you love any of them, this is a must-have album.

Having heard many versions, I didn't think anyone could produce another one that's refreshing to hear. But this one does it marvelously!

Julie Andrews is good as always, but the revelation here is Ms. Lea Salonga who shows she can do different types of music.

Get this album; it's good!

Beautifully sung songs and wonderful music from a classic. I particularly liked Lea Salonga's numbers. What a treat!

this sountrack is really amazing it can even make your heart warm by the combined voice of julie andrews and my favorite filipino star les salongga! go and buy this now!

THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST YET SINCE THE SOUND OF MUSIC SOUNDTRACK. JULIE ANDREWS IS AMAZING. AND WHO WOULDN'T LOVE LEA AS TUPTIM---- SHE IS PERFECT. THE GIRL CAN SING.