Customer Reviews

Nine (1992 London Concert Cast - Highlights)

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

 

 

If you know this show, you know it is great. The original recording left much to be desired in record quality, which this album transcends. Raoul Julia was fabulous on the the original and Jonathon Price raises the bar with his version of "Only With You". The real shining star is Elaine Paige...she is heartbreaking on "Unusual Way" and reminds us why we love her. For a real treat go to track 12 and turn it up really loud. "The Bells of St. Sebastian" has never sounded so full and alarming. This concert recording is a must for any Nine,Yeston or Fellini fan. The Price is worth it!

Luisa was played by Ann Crumb. If she can't sing. I don't know who can. Saying that she can't sing is like saying Patti LuPone can't sing.

I personally like this version a lot better than the broadway one. Jonathan Pryce did such a good job as Guido that I had to buy this version even though I own the Broadway version.

Elaine Paige, albeit not in her top in this recording, did not play the role at the actual show (said so in the booklet) but stepped in to play the part for the original singer who couldn't make the recording of the CD.

Give this record a chance. It's different than the way the Broadway casts interpret/present it, but doesn't mean it's bad.

I am a bit surprised at the negativity I see here, because this is one of my favorites! I will admit though that I have not heard any other cast recordings of Nine. I think Jonathan Pryce does a nice job, I get such an image in my head listening to him! I also love My Husband Makes Movies and Unusual Way! When I first got this CD, I wasn't crazy about it, but now I really love it! Maybe you just need to give it a chance!

I have to strongly disagree with the previous review. I have not heard the Original Broadway Cast (but I'll do), but for the moment, this cast recording is one of my prefered, by far. I think Jonathan, even if he's not a legit singer in any way, gives the character of Guido a lot of humanity. He's given me an excellent feeling of the character. Really, I love this recording (of course, Elaine Paige is for something in the quality of this cast recording... She's fantastic).

I came across this recording of the musical NINE first - before the original Broadway. I was able to catch the revival in previews, and still consider this to be the best example of the score out there. My reasons: The London concert (Studio) cast was recorded with a large orchestra (it's one of the famous ones, the name totally slips my mind right now)- the score sounds full and incredibly lush due to this. The unique opportunity of a concert/studio recording also allowed the creators to augment the cast with a larger ensemble, who sounds amazing as well. While the original Broadway recording was not originally digital, this recording touted Dolby technology (one of the first to endulge in that technology), needless to say the sound quality is superior to the original Broadway. The cast is up to your own taste - In my opinion Jonathan Price is wonderful here, really engaging emotionally with the material (not the sexy man one might expect or appreciate from Guido, here Price is more mousy and sentimental, but still affective), Elaine Page is in GREAT voice, and Ann Crumb is lovely (I was a fan from Aspects of Love, so I'm a bit biased). The Biggest plus here though (and this is the biggy for me): the full score (including incidental music) was recorded. This is the tricky part - RCA Victor released the 'highlights' version in the US (the one available here), while JAY Records released the full, 2 disk, recording in limited markets. It includes a great deal of material that for someone like me, who finds it essential for as much of the score to be recorded for posterity and study, it's fascinating and a wonderful experience to be able to delve into the material that much deeper. This additional material is as much a part of the score as the big, popular songs, and some as incredibly affecting. For a long time it was incredibly hard to get your hands on it (once you knew it existed), but if you are interested you can go to Jay.com - or itunes and emusic both have it for digital download.
On a side note - about that revival. Was very unimpressed. I found the production cold, and static (poor Chita hardly got a chance to move!), and I was getting a headache form everyone's different versions of an Italian accent. The Scott Pask set was lovely, and the costumes and Jane Krakowski were wonderful (they twirled her in a bed sheet from above - BRILLIANT).

Nine is a haunting, surreal show with a gorgeous score. It really is a score to wallow in culminating in a truly amazing finale whereby the 40 year old leading man is given a gentle lecture on how to be an adult by his 9 year old self. There are at least 3 different recordings but this one on RCA is definitely my favorite which I always return to. Jonathan Pryce is a wonderfully likable Guido Contini. To be truth-full, the songs lie a wee bit high for his range but that seems to heighten the impression of a man who's life has gotten out of control. Elaine Paige is also listed as a star performer here, she too is very enjoyable. Really all three cast albums have good things going for them what sets this one apart for me is the deeply touching performance of the title song by Eileen Page & Fiona O'Neill. Their heartfelt singing as Guido's deceased mother (young & old) never fails to bring tears to my eyes every time I hear the song.Bravi! One thing to note; the packaging gives the impression that this is a live recording of a concert performance but it is a studio version of what must have been a very memorable evening at the Royal Albert hall in 1992.

Jonathan Price, who's talk-singy style worked perfectly for the Engineer in Miss Saigon, does not work for Guido Contini in NINE. The show centers around his character and the 21 women in his life (he gets around). But Raul Julia sings a far superior show to Price. Sorry, Jonathan. I still think you're a fantastic actor, but I recommend the original Broadway cast also featuring Karen Ackers as his wife. I give that cast an 8 out of 10. Also, the Australian cast is a 7. Check out the Broadway cast!

Broadway cast is definately the way to go. These brits mangle the score. Elaine Paige should be shot for the way in which she barks through her song on this recording. And Anita Morris sings sings circles around the London chick on "Call From The Vatican."

OK, OK ... I admit I have not yet heard the London concert recording, but its been ordered and I'll let you know what I think. Specifically though, I'm looking for a Luisa who can sing! Karen Akers is a wonder as an actor, but should have been replaced for the Broadway cast recording. I just experienced a black box version of Nine with a Luisa who could wring every ounce of passion out of "My Husband Makes Movies" and especially "Be On Your Own", which Ms. Akers squeaky voice just can't do. Without a great complete performance by Luisa the show is unfocused and there is no real motivation for Guido to do much of anything. Guido's final despair must be played off of Luisa, not the film he can't make. The songs Yeston writes for Luisa are among the best in the show, they are worth being sung well. Unfortunately, on the Broadway Cast recording they are not, hopefully this recording will be better. Maybe it's best to listen to both and pick your favorites.

Well now I've heard the London Concert Cast and it's very disappointing. On this recording Ann Crumb's Luisa just does not cut it (nor does almost anyone else ... especially Pryce's Guido). Crumb sings the notes in a pretty way, but there's no depth at all to her performance. With a choice between Karen Akers and Ms. Crumb, I'll take Ms. Akers hands down. Technical ability aside, Ms. Akers sells the song. As Guido, Pryce's voice is thin and "talky" ... this is no passionate self-absorbed Italian film director. The only performance of note is Becky Norman as Carla, but then it's pretty hard to screw up "A Call From the Vatican." However, she vamps her way through it in fine style.

I wish the London cast recording (not the concert version) was not so hard to get and expensive. I'd love to hear it. For now though, stick with the Broadway cast recording and don't waste your time with this one.

Hello. When i was nine i was in the London Production of this cast recording. In an recent trip to New York i found a copy of the cast recording, i bought it and ran home to listen to it. Yes it was the same production. Yes i know the lyrics backwards. Yes the production on CD does not sound particularly exciting but visualy it was amazing (we had a 15 min standing ovasion). However my excitement was turned to horror when i found i was not in the credits list! For me that is the only downfall of the soundtrack. It amuses me to read the other reviews criticising the English about how we let this production down - all the money that was raised went to an Aids Charity and to me that is the most important thing. I was not payed a penny and we were all their just so that we could raise money for a worthy cause!