Scrooge: The Musical (1992 Birmingham Cast) [Original recording reissued, Cast Recording]

Scrooge (Related Recordings), Jon Pertwee, James Head, Leslie Bricusse, David Oakley, Stratford Johns, Sally Mates, Anthony Newley | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 14, 1997)
• Original Release Date: 1992
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued, Cast Recording
• Label: Jay Records
• ASIN: B000009QV5
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #104,414 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Act 1. A Christmas Carol

2. Act 1. I Hate Christmas

3. Act 1. No Better Life

4. Act 1. Christmas Children

5. Act 1. I Hate Christmas (Reprise)

6. Act 1. Father Christmas

7. Act 1. Make The Most Of This World

8. Act 1. It's Not My Fault

9. Act 1. December The Twenty Fifth

10. Act 1. Happiness

11. Act 1. You...You

12. Act 1. It's Not My Fault (Reprise)

13. Act 1. I Like Life

14. Act 2. Entr'Acte

15. Act 2. Good Times

16. Act 2. The Beautiful Day

17. Act 2. The Minister's Cat

18. Act 2. A Better Life

19. Act 2. Thank You Very Much

20. Act 2. I'll Begin Again

See all 23 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable STAGE version of "Christmas Carol", September 16, 2000

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Scrooge: The Musical (1992 Birmingham Cast) (Audio CD)

For anyone expecting the soundtrack of the film starring Albert Finney, this might be a disappointment. Yes, the same songs are used, but there is a vast difference between a work performed live on stage and one done on film. This CD presents a record of a show presented live and with a completely different cast from the film. I am lucky enough to have an LP of the film cast and will listen to that when I want to hear that version. I must admit that the best numbers are those that are common to both versions. The new numbers that expand the stage version are not as effective as the older ones. The stand outs are still the infectious "Thank You Very Much", "December the tewnty-fifth" and "I Like Life".

The first time I listened to the CD, I was not too happy with the characterization of Scrooge as presented by Anthony Newley. He was a unique talent and seemed a strange choice for this part, but in subsequent hearings, he has grown on me. I get the feeling that seeing him in person would give a completely different feeling as you could then picture him as you listen. After all, when listening to the film soundtrack, you can picture Albert Finney who was great in the film even if not a good singer.

A listener must take into consideration that a CD of a stage show may not have the same quality of voices as a film as there is no chance of dubbing another voice for an actor who can can act a part but not sing well. For the stage, the producers must pick someone who is able to perform the material live and do a complete performance -sing, act, dance without stoping once the show starts. Sometimes all the necessary qualities do not come through on a recording. I find that the whole "Scrooge" recording grows on you with each hearing.

I have copy of the full script and find that the music fits the script very well. For anyone really interested in a theatrical performance, this can be a really enjoyable experience.

29 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Only Availble Recording of Quality Score, April 10, 2001

By 

R. Bigelow (St. Petersburg, FL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Scrooge: The Musical (1992 Birmingham Cast) (Audio CD)

First of all, after reading the previous reviews, I would like to say that only the second review (the reviewer from Buffalo) gives any true insight as to the quality of this recording. The other reviews are so inane that I can't believe any thought was put into them at all. (If you are going to quote lyrics, get them right!) Suffice it to say that the original score by Leslie Bricusse is a good reason for purchasing this recording. There isn't the lushness of the original film orchestrations and chorus work, but the presence of the digital recording makes up for it. Anthony Newley brings his usual unique style to the interpretation of Scrooge and the additional songs are interesting, if not quite up to the quality of the film songs. It is a shame that the motion picture soundtrack is no longer available. The film has become a minor holiday classic and Albert Finney's performance as Scrooge may be the best of all the versions to date. His range as an actor is astonishing and anyone who expects this material to be sung instead of acted is missing the point. Until there is a reissue of the soundtrack, this recording will be a welcome addition to anyone who appreciates a tuneful score and witty lyrics that echo the style of Charles Dickens.

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars this is so weird, January 7, 2003

By 

jerome (birmingham england) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Scrooge: The Musical (1992 Birmingham Cast) (Audio CD)

well, hmmm, what can i say, but buy this thing. Its strange i know, but i am the tiny tim on the recording, its really weird to hear your voice on the net. So this recording is a beautiful arrangement of the original film and will always bring back special memories for me. I know tony had his critics for the role of scrooge, but anyone who saw the stage version will agree with me that he was special in this role. I cant believe that this was made 11 years ago when i was 11 ish. I am now a medical student, but this experience has never left me.