Customer Reviews

Selections From Cats (1982 Original Broadway Cast)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Because of the careful abridgement of the complete 2-CD set of the CATS Broadway Soundtrack, a cheaper version of the show has been presented here on this disc. In one foul swoop, the entire essence of the musical is captured in an hour-long condensed version, making this the purr-fect introduction to generally the evergreen long-running musical and specifically the best English-language CATS soundtrack in the world. All the major songs and scenes are included, and every cast member is given a chance to shine here. Betty Buckley's portrayal of Grizabella gives me the impression that she is better than Elaine Paige, and the former's gorgeously-sung rendition of "Memory", presented here, is convincing and powerful enough to make you feel that the Tony award she won in 1983 was well-deserved. Up to her standard is Ken Page's sonorous Old Deuteronomy. He is a perfect fit on the role, and his sonorous, bell-like voice gives the character the deserved reality. He gives a breathtaking rendition of "The Ad-Dressing of Cats." The rest of the cast, Timothy Scott, Terrence Mann, Harry Groener, Anna McNeely and Stephen Hanan, among others, who all do justice to their portrayals of the respective cats, all are given a deserved place on this disc, even those who don't feature very often in the musical itself such as Stephen Hanan's Gus: The Theatre Cat, whose portrayal of the part is MUCH better than Sir John Mills. However, this release fails to provide a good packaging, with the absence of a libretto. Yet I still recommend that you should buy this version of the show, then go on to the complete 2-CD set. This single CD is enough to introduce the beginner to the musical, and the Broadway cast is able to capture the quintisential Britishness of the work. I know that the Broadway production has closed, but don't forget to relive the "Memory" again and again!

As an aside, I have knocked off one star from my rating because of the poor packaging. Also, I would like to say that there are some small cuts in "Skimbleshanks" and "Macavity," but because these cuts came into effect on the Vienna cast CD, I don't think I ought to let this affect my overall rating.

Since I didn't have enough money to get the full version at the time, I opted for Selections From Cats hoping I would still get a good deal. It turned out I did! The few songs actually omitted from this version were far from classics. In this version you get all the memorable songs. There is the super famous Memory, performed very beautifully by Betty Buckley. You get Jellicle Songs For Jellicle Cats, which is another famous song from the musical. Plus the sexier Macavity, the energy packed Rum Tum Tugger, the upbeat Skimbleshankes, e.t.c. All the famous cats are here, and as I already stated, the only songs not included are the stuff like overtures and of course the boring Growltiger's Last Stand. This musical made Andrew Lloyd Webber super famous, and if you claim to be a musical fan and do not have this or the full version in your collection: What are you thinking?

I'm Jakob Balen,someone obsessed with CATS.Here are the songs.

Jellicle Songs For Jellicle Cats.10/10.
Solo Dance.8/10.
Old Gumbie Cat.5/10.
The Rum Tum Tugger.5/10.
Mungojerrie And Rumpelteazer.8/10.
Old Deuteronomy.10/10.
The Jellicle Ball.8/10.
Grizabella the Glamour Cat.9/10.
Gus the Theater Cat.6/10.
Skimbleshanks The Railway Cat.10/10.
Macavity The Mystery Cat.10/10.
Mr.Mistoffelees.10/10.
The Journey To The Heaviside Layer.10/10.
The Ad-Dressing of Cats.7/10.

I am no Cats fanatic, and I thought that buying the "Selections" CD at a lower price would satisfy me. However, I've watched the Cats movie too many times to count (I have a 4-year old who's obsessed), and was disappointed with the "Selections" CD. It's missing the Grizabella song (although it has a track titled "Grizabella", that's not really it) and other small pieces that I wish were included. The singing is not that great, save for Betty Buckley who sings Grizabella. She does a great job; however they tinkered with the music for "Memory" so it sounds like a really bad hit from the '80s.
If you want a cheaper CD to share songs with your 4-year old, then this one is great. If you really enjoy the music to Cats, then maybe the other CDs are better. (I haven't listened to them, so I don't know for sure.)

As a casual fan, I found this "highlights" disc perfect. I saw the play, and this includes every track that stood-out to me. The music is all top-notch of course. The huge hit "Memory" is here, and basically every song about every cat in the play. I've seen many plays through the years, and I always liked Cats the most because it's fun and catchy, unlike "Les Mis" or some of "Phantom". Anyway, the fanatics can get the double-disc. I'll enjoy this "Selections from" along with my similar collection from "Rent".

"Cats" was extremely important for its time & paved the way for many future musicals. Currently, its the longest running show in Broadway history ... thankfully, though, Mr. Webber's masterpiece, "Phantom of the Opera" will take the crown in early 2006.

Despite a talented Company (esp. Betty Buckley, Ken Page & Terrence Mann), the score has generally not aged well and seems rather trite by today's standards. However, the production's best moments are showcased nicely in this "selections" version of the classic show:

Jellicle Songs For Jellicle Cats
Rum Tum Tugger
Mr. Mistoffelees
Memory (THE classic!)

While the full two-cd score may be more complete, the "selections" cd (fortunately) eliminates most of the show's filler. I only wish the Overture had been included as well.

I really should've given this 3 or 4 stars, but I just couldn't bear to criticize it. I love it too much. The full CD is better than just the selections, although it is more expensive. The video, of cource is he best thing you can get if you're a fan. The dancing is just as big a part as the music is. In fact, I think the dancing is even better than the music. Jacob Brent, if you're listening, you are phenominal.

If you're a fan of Cats, I suggest you buy the video before you buy the music. The little things that aren't included in the selection make a big difference. If you do buy the music, get the full version. Believe me, it's worth the extra money.

Okay, put a life long love of cats (real), with a literary love of cats (poetic, via T.S. Eliot), with a "Cat"-full of cats (on stage) and you throw in some now classic songs about our feline friends and that tells everything you need to know about this CD. Oh, except that for the life long cat-lovers out there you will know by each kind of cat mentioned in this compilation that it is probably not far removed from some cat that you nursed back to health, tripped over, got mad at, fed (in the middle of the night), groomed (at best you could) and got misty-eyed over the memory of when you heard that "Memory" song that kind of puts the whole production together. That says it all.

This is a great Soundtrack of the musical Cats.
After seeing the musical, I wanted the CD of the songs that I heard in the show.

I've only recently gotten into Cats. This soundtrack is good but I prefer the filmed songs of The Rum Tug Tugger and Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer and especially Memory.

Still beautifully done though.