South Pacific (1996 Studio Cast) (First Complete Recording) [Cast Recording]

Richard Rodgers (Artist), Oscar Hammerstein II (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 11, 1997)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Cast Recording
• Label: Jay Records
• ASIN: B000005BGW
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #304,532 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Act 1. Overture - Original 1995 London Cast

2. Act 1. Dites-Moi

3. Act 1. A Cockeyed Optimist

4. Act 1. Twin Soliloquies

5. Act 1. Some Enchanted Evening

6. Act 1. Finaletto

7. Act 1. Bloody Mary

8. Act 1. There is Nothin' Like a Dame

9. Act 1. Mary and Lootellan

10. Act 1. Bali Ha'i

See all 20 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Act 2. Entr'acte

2. Act 2. Opening of Act Two

3. Act 2. Entrance of Liat

4. Act 2. Happy Talk

5. Act 2. Incidental / Younger Than Springtime Reprise

6. Act 2. Honey Bun

7. Act 2. You've Got to be Carefully Taught

8. Act 2. This Nearly Was Mine

9. Act 2. After Emile's Solo

10. Act 2. Communication Established

See all 21 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The Rodgers and Hammerstein show that went the longest (almost 60 years) before getting a major Broadway revival, South Pacific receives its first complete recording, capturing 107 minutes of classic songs as well as reprises and underscored dialogue. Given the thankless task of succeeding Mary Martin of the original Broadway cast is the wonderful Paige O'Hara (Disney's Beauty and the Beast, John McGlinn's Show Boat), full of sass and spunk as Nellie Forbush. Although this Emile De Becque, Justino Diaz, isn't actually a Frenchman (but hey, neither was Ezio Pinza), his accent is only a faint distraction from his rich voice. Filling out the cast are tenor Sean McDermott as Lt. Joe Cable and Pat Suzuki (Flower Drum Song) as Bloody Mary. It's a very good recording, and an easy choice for anyone who wants the complete score. The only drawback is that, unlike other JAY Masterworks Editions, this one doesn't include extra songs, such as "My Girl Back Home," a song cut from the original production but restored for the 1958 film. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Complete but not Perfect, July 15, 2004

By 

Mark Clegg "Nathan's Dad" (Great Britain) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: South Pacific (1996 Studio Cast) (First Complete Recording) (Audio CD)

As with the complete recordings of Guys and Dolls and The Pajama Game, this double CD brings together the full score including uncut dance-breaks and incidental music. The orchastrations are fantastic but, like the others in this series, the cast suffer due to the 'studio' nature of the recording. There is little of the vibrancy and excitment of a Broadway Cast Recording because the cast are only singing the roles and have probably never seen the script at all. This means that many of the performances, while technically good, are characterless.
Paige O'Hara, excellent as the voice of Disney's Belle, plays the part a little too twee - yes, I know Nellie is a hick but she goes too far in that direction. Justino Diaz, as Emile, has a good voice that does not cover the lack of a personality. The rest of the cast are equally too note-perfect.
The people who will find this recording the most useful will be people, like myself, who are performers. When performing in a production of South Pacific this CD was very useful, more for the not-available-anywhere-else material than anything else. The dance music and the incidental stuff is useful to rehearse with.
On the whole, a worthy CD for the completist but if you want a more character-driven recording, search out one from an actual stage performance.

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great complete recording, July 19, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: South Pacific (1996 Studio Cast) (First Complete Recording) (Audio CD)

In reply to M.Clegg's contention with regards to the status of the stars of this great complete recording, I would like to point out that all the main leads, Justino Diaz (New York City Opera Production), Paige O'Hara (Australian production), Sean McDermott (The Pace Production - USA) and Pat Suzuki (Long Beach Light Opera Production) have all played their respective roles on stage in various productions. This is clearly listed in the booklet of the recording. On the contary, I find their interpretation to be vivid and compelling. A great recording.

6 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Complete Score Recording, April 10, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: South Pacific (1996 Studio Cast) (First Complete Recording) (Audio CD)

We are performing South Pacific at my high school and this CD was really helpful in choreographing the dance numbers because it has the music in between the singing, in other words, the complete score.