Les Miserables: The Complete Symphonic Recording (Enhanced) [Cast Recording, Import, Soundtrack]

Les Miserables (Enhanced) (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 22, 2008)
• Number of Discs: 3
• Format: Cast Recording, Import, Soundtrack
• Label: First Night Records
• ASIN: B00002MNL3
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #307,816 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Heart Full Of Love

2. Little Fall Of Rain

3. At The Barricade

4. At The End Of The Day

5. Bring Him Home

6. Building The Barricade

7. Castle On A Cloud

8. Dawn Of Anguish

9. Do You Hear The People Sing?

10. Drink With Me

11. Empty Chairs At Empty Tables

12. Epilogue

13. Eponine's Errand

14. Every Day

15. Fantine's Arrest

16. Fantine's Death

17. First Attack

18. I Dreamed A Dream

19. Javert's Arrival

20. Javert's Suicide

See all 43 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars My Opinion, September 26, 2005

By 

Rachel Stewart "Les Mis Fanatic" (Normal, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Les Miserables: The Complete Symphonic Recording (Enhanced) (Audio CD)

VALJEAN--So, Gary Morris is no Colm Wilkenson. He does a decent job on his parts, but it's hard to judge him when in the back of my mind, all I hear is Colm. I've tried the head shaking trick. It doesn't help, except that it made me dizzy and unable to concentrate on Morris' voice, which may or may not be a good thing.

JAVERT--Phillip Quast is THE Javert. Enough said.

FANTINE--Debbie Bryne sings Fantine well. She's no Patti LuPone (from the OLC), but she is less irritating than Ruthie Henshall on the TAC. But, whatever recording you buy, you'll get a good Fantine.

MARIUS-- Michael Ball sings on this recording and he is excellent. I like him better on this than the OLC or the TAC, but he is amazing on all three.

EPONINE--Unlike many Les Mis fans, I don't care for Lea Salonga, so I was greatful that she didn't sing on this recording. While I wish that it could have been Frances Rufelle, Kaho Shimada does a very convincing job. When she sings her part on 'A Little Fall of Rain', it breaks my heart every time. I'm also very impressed that she spoke no English at the time of the recording, but managed to learn all of her songs. That is a true mark of talent.

ENJOLRAS--Anthony Warlow is an excellent Enjolras, and after hearing his introduction in 'Do You Hear the People Sing?', I was hit with the overwhelming urge to join the army. His other solos are great, but in my opinion, he isn't THAT much better than Michael Maguire on the OBC.

THENARDIERS--I don't know the name of the actors playing M and Mme Thenardier, but they're pretty grating. Especially Mme Thenardier.

GRANTAIRE--Why, why, WHY could they not have had Anthony Crivello play Grantaire? The man who plays him on this recording isn't bad, but I think he goes a little overboard with the drunkeness. (Especially during 'The ABC Cafe' when he sings 'Red....Black'. He sounds very constipated.)

COSETTE: Oh, where to begin. Tracy Shane sounds almost like Minnie Mouse. Her voice is very high and very squeaky. I half expected Valjean to drop dead on the spot when she came in during the finale.

All in all, I'd say if you had to buy one Les Mis recording, I'd go with the OBC. But if you're a die hard fan and collector (like myself) this recording is definitly worth your money, especially for the excellent performances by Kaho Shimada, Michael Ball, Phillip Quast, and Anthony Warlow.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!, September 4, 2005

By 

Budget's Gal (Kearns, UT USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Les Miserables: The Complete Symphonic Recording (Enhanced) (Audio CD)

This is *BY FAR* my favorite musical of all time. I have alot of favorites, but Les Miserables has a special place in my heart. I bought this particular CD several years ago at a music store where the price to me was a little steep (over $50.00) but all in all, it's well worth it. It includes ALL of the songs uncut as well as the symphonic parts. It also includes pictures and the lyrics to the music so you can sing or follow along if you wish. The music in this musical has a special spirit to it that no musical has (in my opinion). It talks about independance, determination, promises, forgivness and sacrifice. It has a passion where you can connect to the characters and what we go through today.

I have two negatives on the CD though. First of all, Colm Wilkinson does not play Valjean in the album (whom I think plays the best in that character). When they we're making it, Mr. Wilkinson was unable to make it but he did reccomend Gary Morris. I think Mr. Morris did a great job, but he didn't have the "belting" power that Colm Wilkinson can easily do asleep. But I do think Gary Morris did a good job and I'm happy with his work. The other negative (and this is a biggie for me) was that Lea Salonga didn't sing as Eponine. She's one of my favorite artists and I enjoy her music in everything she does. Kaho Shimada who played the character sounded weak and not as "passionate" as Lea Solonga would have done. All in all, the whole CD is WELL worth the money and I'm glad I own it.

I'm going to start reading the unabridged novel version of Les Miserables so I can understand the storyline all the more. I truly hope someday they'll make a musical movie about this.

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good, but not the best version, August 17, 2005

By 

Les Mis junkie (Pennsylvania, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Les Miserables: The Complete Symphonic Recording (Enhanced) (Audio CD)

"Les Miserables" is a marvelous musical; a stunningly faithful interpretation of Victor Hugo's masterpiece, with an inspiring storyline and unforgettable characters. There are 4 major full-length English versions available (Original London Cast, Original Broadway Cast, Complete Symphonic Recording, and Tenth Anniversary Concert). The truth is, that if you were marooned on that proverbial desert island, any of them would be better than none, but we normally have the luxury of choice. There are 2 reasons for buying a Les Mis CD - (1) you've seen a performance and want ONE CD to remind you of it or (2) you've become a les Mis junkie (like me) and want multiple versions so you too can hold forth on the rival merits of Andy Warlow vs Michael Maguire, Patty LuPone vs Ruthie Henshaw, Frances Ruffelle vs Kaho Shimada vs Lea Solonga. If you are in the first category, you really want the Tenth Anniversary Concert. The TAC has the complete storyline (albeit slightly abridged), it was recorded live (so there's an unique intensity and chemistry between performers), and from top to bottom it has by far the best cast.

However, if you're a serious Les Mis fan, you should buy this CD (in addition), simply because it does have the complete score. (The trouble with THAT is that it includes practically the only misstep in the whole script - if Jean Valjean has his number branded on his chest, then how is it credible that someone else will be convicted in his place?) I bought it for that reason and to hear other interpretations of the roles (in particular Andy Warlow's). I have all 4 versions, and they have all have their pluses and minuses, but frankly, I'm glad I didn't pay full price for this one. This version has a rather weak cast in general, but that does add to the fun arguing about it. On the plus side, it has Philip Quast ( THE BEST Javert, but he's even better on the TAC), Michael Ball (THE BEST Marius, also on the OLC and TAC versions), and Andy Warlow (a stirring Enjorlas for sure, but not THAT much better than Michael Maguire on the OBC and TAC). The scenes at the barricade are the best part of the CD. Kaho Shimada is an uneven Eponine, OK sometimes, less so at others. Debbie Byrne (Fantine) is OK, but I don't find her as moving as Patty LuPone (OLC) or Ruthie Henshaw (TAC). Tracy Shayne (Cosette) is irratating, not nearly as sweet as Judy Kuhn (OLB and TAC) or Rebecca Caine (OLC). I find Barry James and especially Gay Soper (M. and Mme. Thenardier) grating as well.

I really miss Colm Wilkinson (OLC, OBC and TAC). OK, he has a unique singing style, but such heart. Not always perfect, but so powerful and emotional. All his solos and "Confrontation" just stop me dead in my tracks. The sweetness and purity of his "Bring Him Home" and "Epilogue" move me to tears. But really, there must be someone else who can do at least an adequate job or the show wouldn't have run so long in so many venues. I am willing to listen to another interpretation, but not this one. This is the central role in the play, it really can't survive without a good performance here. Gary Morris is horrible as Jean Valjean, cringe-provoking at times, merely weak at others. It's not really his voice, it's his acting (or lack thereof). Instead of powerful and tragic, he sounds petulant and whiney. He's totally overmatched by Quast in "Confrontation" and by everyone in "One Day More" and "Epilogue". I haven't tried the recommendation of one reviewer of listening while squinting and shaking my head hard, but I don't see how that will help. Morris's "What have I done?", "Bring Him Home" and "Valjean's Confession" make me cover my ears or send me running for the fast forward button, although "Who am I?" isn't so bad. (I just tried the head shaking trick, it didn't help.)