Starlight Express (1984 Original London Cast) [Cast Recording]

P.P. Arnold, Jeff Shankley, Frances Ruffelle, Lon Satton, Ray Shell, Richard Stilgoe, Starlight Express (Related Recordings), Andrew Lloyd Webber | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 9, 2000)
• Original Release Date: 2000
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Cast Recording
• Label: Decca Broadway
• ASIN: B00000742S
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #83,546 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #86 in Music > Broadway & Vocalists > Musicals > Contemporary Musicals

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Between his megahits Cats and The Phantom of the Opera, Andrew Lloyd Webber came up with one of his slightest efforts, Starlight Express. The composer admitted it was targeted at kids--centering on a set of trains and the plot of The Little Engine That Could--yet it lacks the charm of his other kids' show, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. While the live staging was exciting, featuring costumed roller skaters racing around, over, and through the audience, the score is one of Lloyd Webber's least subtle demonstrations of his ability to compose in different musical styles--country ("U.N.C.O.U.P.L.E.D."), blues ("Poppa's Blues"), rock ("Rolling Stock"), funk ("C.B."), rap ("The Rap"), and the like. Of course, there are some catchy tunes plus one hit (the title tune), and Richard Stilgoe's lyrics are sometimes cutely clever and sometimes banal ("Starlight Express, you must confess, are you real, yes or no / Starlight Express, please answer 'yes,' I don't want you to go."). The show was revised and revived in 1992, switching some songs, removing the most obvious cold-war references, and adding one pop single ("Next Time You Fall in Love"). --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the Real Deal, March 12, 2000

By 

Bob C "Cactus" (Springfield VA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Starlight Express (1984 Original London Cast) (Audio CD)

The original Starlight Express produced in London is THE epic version of this story. I have seen it in London, as a traveling Broadway show in Detroit, and in Las Vegas. You are missing the story line if you purchase anything other than this original recording. I have worn out my original two tape set purchased in 1984 in London. The traveling Broadway show was very good and true to the original. If theaters could show envy, the Hilton in Las Vegas would wilt on the vine if it ever knew of the wonderful show available in London. It is so unfortunate that they took God out of the original and added sex for the Las Vegas version - a powerful message and inspirational story is lost through the medium in Vegas. The unspoken message is clear as a bell, and is used as a canvas to paint a wonderful picture in London. The Brits still do some things right and Theater is one of them - If you are ever in London - you must see the show! Skip the Vegas show and CD version - this is what you need. Knowing the words to all the songs doesn't mean you don't need the instrumental backup!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BUY BUY BUY, December 10, 1999

By 

Lynn Korabik (Flint Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Starlight Express (1984 Original London Cast) (Audio CD)

This cd is a perfect example at the genius of andrew lyodd webber. The music and lyrics merge to create a musical that will set a new standard. This cd is better then the new one. This is one that you will not let your friends borrow because they might hurt it . Thats already happened to me. BUY THIS CD. it is totally awesome

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best recording of the best musical!, April 3, 2005

By 

J. Hall-Turner - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Starlight Express (1984 Original London Cast) (Audio CD)

Well, where to start, the songs on this CD show the musical how it should be presented. The singers are great and songs are fantastic. You should definitely choose this CD over the New (London) Starlight Express recording. The only thing I think the New recording has over this one is three tracks : Crazy, Coda of Freight, and the Megamix. This however has Call Me Rusty, A Lotta Locomotion, He Whistled At Me, Belle, Girls' Rolling Stock, Only He and Only You and a slightly different Light At The End Of The Tunnel. These are the basic differences, with there being others which are smaller, less obvious differences.

Starlight is my favourite musical of all time. I have had this recording on some medium or other since I was 4 (15 yrs ago) and I have managed to wear out every copy I have owned - I love it that much. I think it is probably true to say that you would have had to see the show live on stage to fully appreciate it however. This recording does sound quite dated and is quite blatantly 80s, however some of the tracks (A Lotta Locomotion and He Whistled Me) are so 80s that they would pass as cool/retro nowadays.

In conclusion - the best Starlight recording I own.