Customer Reviews

Once On This Island (1994 Original London Cast)

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

 

 

I thoroughly enjoyed this recording, especially the songs Rain and Forever Yours. The performers voices stay with me when I can't listen to the CD.

I have to say, this CD is amazing, with better orchestrations (I really hate synthensised sound, but it worked here) and clearer sound quality than the OBC, a better Daniel and an okay ensamble, but what took this CD down two stars for me is the terrible Ti Moune and Papa Ge (sorry if I spelled those wrong.). Ti Moune's voice is lifeless bland, I'm told her preformance was better than the Broadway's Ti moune, but this is about the CD, not the preformance. Papa Ge is okay, except for ruining the beat of the song. He does feel more intimidating than the Broadway Papa Ge, who played the character more like a deamon, but I think he ruined the song. On a positive note, the Daniel was amazingly better. 'Some Girls' was faster, more touching and less boring than the OBC, and the other gods were fantastic, though I didn't care for Agwe on either CDs. Ton Ton Julian and Mama Eurilie (again, I probaly didn't spell it right) were in my opinion, uninteresting on both CDs. In conclusion, to those who love the OBC, this will take a while to get used to, but give it patience. To those new, I'd reccommend the OBC, but this is still a brilliant CD, which I would recomment to anyone. This is a CD that everyone should buy, but this is not the OBC.

This recording is by far better than the Broadway recording (I did get that one first, though, so I might be a bit partial to it). As a previous review said, Papa Ge is much better acted and sung in this version. It is the same for the other performers as well. Shezwae Powell gives a wonderful rendition of "A Part of Us." Also, the woman who plays Ti Moune (I can't recall her name at the moment) is superior to La Chanze on the OBC. She may not have as a great a singing voice, but her performance and acting make her the difinitive Ti Moune to me.

Once On This Island is a brilliant production, but this version is not that good. First off, it trades real instruments in for synthed instruments, which sounds horrible compared to the original production soundtrack. Also, the actors are not nearly as good, except that Papa Ge, the God of Death, is much better acted on this version. Overall though, purchase the original production. In my opinion, it's a Best Buy.

This CD was amazing. I have listened to different versions and this is by far the best. I also had a lead role in this in Junior High. I played the part of Papa Ge and had a blast. This is better than the Broadway version. Overall, the mood and environment of this recording is more upbeat and festive. One of the best choices I've made since auditioning for the musical. An awesome musical depicted in an incredible manner. Phenomenal CD. I would recommend it to anyone and everyone!

Not only have I heard this recording, I was in my high school production of this masterpiece. I must admit, at first it is difficult to get into because of the unique storyline and music, but it is impossible to reject the spirit of this musicial. The island beats are much appreciated, as the animated characters matched with just as animated voices. I highly recommend this for any musicial buff!

I was in a production of this in november and this cd is absoluetely incredible!

The music is brilliant. The show is brilliant, but as a rule, never buy any cast recordings from London. The American CD is almost flawless which makes this CD almost disappointing. I was given this CD because the store was out of the OBC. The Ti Moune just doesn't cut it after hearing LaChanze. Don't get me wrong, this isn't a bad review, i only gave it 2 stars to make sure that no one else makes this mistake and buys this instead of the American albumn which is just about perfect.

This is a horrible version of the musical. Don't buy this CD, I really think you'll regret it once you listen to it. Go out and buy the Broadway version.