Oliver! (1963 Original Broadway Cast) [Cast Recording]

Lionel Bart (Artist), Clive Revill (Artist), Georgia Brown (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Cast Recording
• Label: RCA Victor Broadway
• ASIN: B000002W6A
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #104,153 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Lionel Bart's wonderful musical adaptation of the CharlesDickens classic was the first London stage musical to be transplanted to Broadway with the same kind of sensation it received in Britain-- something that is now common in these post-Cats/Les Miserables times. Although no one from this British cast ever became enormously famous (future Monkee Davy Jones was in the Broadway cast)--and Sir Carol Reed's film version receives all the critical accolades--this remains the better recording, featuring all the songs cut from the film, while excluding the film's musical interludes that simply seem annoying without the visuals. Just compare Bruce Brochnik to the film's Mark Lester in the title role. Or Clive Revill to Ron Moody's Fagin. Or any of the principals, for that matter--and the differences are remarkable. --Bill Holdship

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

58 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A truly landmark Broadway recording, February 13, 2001

By 

J. Buxton "cantabile" (Waltham, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Oliver! (1963 Original Broadway Cast) (Audio CD)

I own both the film soundtrack and this Original Cast recording and this one trumps the film soundtrack on all counts. The sound is better, the singing is at least the equal of the film and in most places better, and the orchestral music is heard to better effect. Also, the young man playing Oliver in this version is easier to hear and understand in my opinion. All the key musical numbers are included here, and I just think the recording has stood the test of time. Don't get me wrong, I love the movie and I'm sure I will return to it often. But from a purely sonic enjoyment viewpoint, I recommend this Broadway version without reservation.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars spectacular Broadway album, February 15, 2006

By 

Byron Kolln (the corner where Broadway meets Hollywood) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Oliver! (Deluxe Edition) (1963 Original Broadway Cast) [CAST RECORDING] (Audio CD)

The cast album to the 1963 Broadway premiere production of OLIVER! was actually recorded during the show's pre-Broadway run in Los Angeles. OLIVER! played to subsequent audiences in San Francisco, Detroit and Toronto before opening at the Imperial Theatre in New York on January 6, 1963. The show played 774 performances before prematurely ending the season to play a 9-month national tour, later returning to New York for a `farewell' run of 64 performances.

As she had done to rapturous acclaim in London three years previously, Georgia Brown played the role of Nancy, and earned similar praise for her performance in New York. Her rich, velvet-tinged voice is especially haunting with the chill inducing ballad "As Long As He Needs Me". Composer Lionel Bart wrote "It's a Fine Life" especially for Brown after learning she had been cast in the role in the London production.

Ron Moody had also scored heavily in London with his tour-de-force turn as Fagin, but with producers fearing his portrayal `too ethnic', the role was taken by Clive Revill for the Broadway premiere. Revill had just come from his celebrated role in IRMA LA DOUCE, and his interpretation of Fagin is every bit as valid as Ron Moody's. Bruce Prochnik is a winsome and wistful Oliver, and Michael Goodman is a delight as the Artful Dodger. Wisely-retained from the original London company were a handful of the first-rate supporting players: Hope Jackman's shrill Mrs Corney; and the up-and-coming Barry Humphries as Mr Sowerberry (Humphries would later graduate to playing Fagin before his beloved alter-ego Dame Edna unleashed herself on the world). The promising young belter Alice Playten was smartly-showcased as Nancy's offsider Bet.

But, the sound mix on the Broadway album has always been rather flat and dull, despite being recorded in the stereo format of the day. Voices and orchestra have no vibrancy or depth, and this was due to the studio in which they recorded it, where the ceiling was very low and the sound did not have the necessary acoustic projection. Nevertheless, the recording has a charm and energy which overrides the technical shortcomings.

This new CD reissue from RCA offers some interesting bonus materials including musical director Don Pippin sharing his memories of the show; Barry Humphries performing "That's Your Funeral" (from the London cast album but left off the Broadway album); and a live recording of Patti LuPone singing "As Long As He Needs Me" (LuPone played Nancy in a short-lived Broadway revival in 1986).

Good value.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Oliver! Original Broadway Cast-A wonderful recording!, July 9, 2000

By 

Cara (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Oliver! (1963 Original Broadway Cast) (Audio CD)

This recording is truly one of my favorites. The songs are lively and fun, and bring this Broadway classic to life. Many memorable and well known songs are in this show, including "Where is Love?", "I'd Do Anything" and "Consider Yourself" as well as many others. The voices of the principals-especially Georgia Brown (Nancy), Michael Goodman (The Artful Dodger) and Clive Revill (Fagin) fit their parts perfectly. The belt quality of Georgia Brown in "As Long As He Needs Me" is beautiful as well as enchanting. Michael Goodman and Clive Revill bring excitement and fun to every song they perform. Overall, this recording is excellent, and one that every Broadway fan should own.