Songs from Ragtime - The Musical (1996 Concept Album)

Marin Mazzie, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Mark Jacoby, Jim Corti, Stephen Flaherty, Lynn Ahrens, Audra McDonald, Judy Kaye, Ragtime (Related Recordings) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 12, 1996)
• Original Release Date: November 12, 1996
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: RCA Victor Broadway
• ASIN: B000003G5R
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (188 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #107,464 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #7 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > Divas > McDonald, Audra
  • #55 in Music > Jazz > Traditional Jazz & Ragtime > Ragtime

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THIS should be the way musicals appear on CD!, March 18, 2004

By 

M J Heilbron Jr. "Dr. Mo" (Long Beach, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Ragtime - The Musical (1998 Original Broadway Cast) (Audio CD)

The wonderful thing about this recording is that nearly the entire show is captured on disc. Often with cast recordings, so much occurs between the songs that the essence of the show is diluted. Here, you really get a sense of the operatic scope of the production.
All the other reviews justly laud the performers...they sing while acting amazingly well. I don't have much to add there. Believe the hype...they're awesome.
I'd like to compare this to the previous iteration of the show. "Ragtime" was originally released as a "highlights" style single disc. The opening song was edited, as was the closer. It appeared a year or so earlier, and the performances are different. The latter disc is NOT an edited version of the former.
The "songs only" version is interesting in that those versions work just fine. The edited 'Ragtime' intro plays better as a song when it's edited. It just loses a ton in exposition and drama. When you have the urge to hear a song, like "New Music" or "Wheels Of A Dream", the former one is actually a tad better. But only when you consider the songs OUT of context.
Listening to this longer version, the performers tell a story. It flows from beginning to end; the songs meld together effortlessly. The story of "Ragtime" is phenomenally well told, and it's a crime that so much was excised previously. I mean, how could you really appreciate this musical without "Sarah Brown Eyes"? That's one of the many songs absent on the "highlights" version.
So, if you only have the first, you NEED the full CD.
If you have the complete version, you're missing something, but not much.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling!, August 7, 2003

By 

Kurt A. Johnson (North-Central Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Ragtime - The Musical (1998 Original Broadway Cast) (Audio CD)

In 1997, Canadian theatrical producer brought out a musical based on E.L. Doctorow's 1975 hit novel, Ragtime. This hit play tells several stories simultaneously, but largely revolves around one complacent white family coming to terms with the issues of race and class in early 20th century America. The 38(!) songs on this two CD set walk the listener through the play, giving you a wonderful familiarity with the story.

The songs on these CDs are wonderfully written and performed, and are truly each a work of art. I have enjoyed hours of listening to the songs over and over again. Indeed, closing your eyes, you can listen to these songs and feel as if you have seen the play; the songs are that compelling! Overall I enjoyed these CDs and highly recommend them to everyone.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Can't Stop Listening, October 12, 1999

By 

Curtis Munsey (Southern California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ragtime - The Musical (1998 Original Broadway Cast) (Audio CD)

I have already reviewed this disc, but that was a long time ago, right after it came out. I just recently realized again how much I love the score to Ragtime and thought I would share my thoughts again. I only wish I could get to New York to see it again, especially now that most of the leads are those from the L.A. production I saw in 1997. Every performance on the CD is amazing and Brian Stokes Mitchell is fantastic, and feel so fortunate to have been able to see him. Audra McDonald's voice is amazing as is Marin Mazzie. I get goosebumps when I hear them. I especially love the bonus track that is the orchestral suite at the end of the CD. Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty are so amazing and I can't wait for their next show to open. If anyone is debating whether or not to buy this cast recording, you should be able to tell that's it's wonderful by all the five star ratings.