Martin Guerre (1996 London Cast)

Michael Matus, Martin Guerre (Related Recordings), Matt Rawle, Claude-Michel Schonberg, Iain Glen, Susan Jane Tanner, Julia Sutton, Alain Boublil | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: DREAMWORKS RECORDS
• ASIN: B000005ALV
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #168,330 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Strong Potential, July 31, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Martin Guerre (1996 London Cast) (Audio CD)

This 1996 London recording of "Martin Guerre" (a show which seems to be undergoing about as many revisions as "The Scarlet Pimpernel" -- it must be something about these French musicals!) provides listeners with much that is worthwhile, with some extraneous material sprinkled throughout. The vocal performances by the three leads Iaian Glen, Rebecca Lock, and Matt Rawle are not exceptional. Glen and Rawle sound so similar that is hard to tell which one is performing. Lock sings sweetly, but her vibrato is, at times, awfully wide and seemingly forced. The recording has a strong beginning with a gorgeous "Prologue" followed by two more colorful numbers "Working on the Land" and "Where's the Child." "Martin Guerre" is satisfactory, but not overly stirring. "Sleeping On Our Own" is the album's first and most significant pitfall. While the number might be more enjoyable when performed live and within the context of the show, it is utterly irritating to listen to -- conjuring images of three third-rate aged Edith Piaf impersonators struggling to sing despite some kind of throat problem. "When Will Someone Hear" and "Tell Me To Go" are attractive love themes, but the highlight of the first act is definitely Michael Matus' "Louison." The album's most successful selection is without question "The Impostors" which is haunting and colorful. Much of what is present here is well-done, and with further revisions, recasting, and restructuring, "Martin Guerre" should be poised to become a successful fixture -- much like its cousins "Les Miserables" and "Miss Saigon" -- when it arrives on Broadway in the Spring of 2000.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Magical!! Makes you wanna listen over and over again!, March 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Martin Guerre (1996 London Cast) (Audio CD)

I saw the play about 2 months after it's debut in London. It was an inspiring masterpiece that you wanna again and again. It makes you feel wonderful and it has some humor to lighten the mood. You'll fall in love with the chararcters and even with Lousian, the scarecrow. A must see if you're ever in England and I plan to see it if it comes over to the US. You should to!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This musical will take you through every emotion., March 11, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Martin Guerre (1996 London Cast) (Audio CD)

I saw the production in London in 1997. It took my breath away. I purchased the tape at the theatre, listened to it so many times the tape was worn through, and have been longing for it ever since. The songs stay with you. The story will move you to anger, to tears, to frustration. The voices are beautiful. The music is wonderful. What can I say? Buy this cd.