Customer Reviews

The New Starlight Express (1992 London Revival Cast)

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

For those who saw the show on Broadway or on a U.S. National Tour, this version will be closer to what you saw than the Original London Cast Recording (OLC). I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not as the versions are quite different.

For those new to "Starlight Express", the show is a simple story of the "Little Train That Could" (U.S) or "Thomas the Tank Engine" (U.K.). The show has many common elements with "Cats" in that the bulk of the "story" is with the presentation of different kinds of trains, and there is virtually no plot.

You will like it if you like the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, else this will reinforce your dislike of him. Personally, I find this one a guilty pleasure and am willing to look past the story shortfalls and enjoy the music (as well as the visual extravaganza that was the stage show).

For those already familiar with the OLC, this is a single CD which means there is a fair bit cut out, and the tempos are probably a bit faster than on stage to fit in the 70 minute running time. For those familiar with the Joseph revival, the same overproduced sound is present here along with a space wasting Megamix. Having had the OLC first, it did take a few listens to overcome the differences and enjoy this CD for what it is.

The revival has eliminated the C.B (the red caboose) which means "There's Me" is gone. "Only You" is now "Next Time You Fall in Love" which amounts to a push. "Freight is Great" is still here, and even though it's presented differently, it's still not a very good song. The addition of "Crazy" and "Make Up My Heart" are nice.

If you are trying to fill some gaps in your Lloyd Webber collection, then this is definitely a good pickup (skip the U.S. "Concept" album which is a waste). If you only want to spend money on one version, I would recommend the OLC because it's got more music and is still in print. The revival CD is going to be pricier and would not recommend paying more than $30 for it. But, if you like the show, then you will not be disappointed.

In my opinion, this version of Starlight Express has much better vocal performances/comic timing than the original CD. While some songs are unfortunately taken out (Only He), new ones are added, and in some cases turn out better than the songs on the original CD, mostly because of the way they are performed.

Greaseball, Electra, Dinah, Pearl, and Rusty are much better here than in the rather lifeless performances of the OLC. If you have the original album, get this one, too. You might like it less, you might like it more, but it's fun to compare. Some songs, like AC/DC and Pumpin' Iron, sound MUCH different here than in their original version.

I give the OLC 3 stars for the performances, and 4 for the music in general. This one would be 5 for performances, and 3 for the songs (I don't like the new Rap, and songs like Crazy aren't as good as some old ones that have been takes out). And for StEx fans, it's a must-have.

Comments: If you're really into Starlight Express, you will love this CD. It's really great! I like this item because it's got more exciting songs. Also get the 1984 Cast recording too. Some of my favorite songs here are "He'll Whistle At Me", "Freight", "Coda of Freight", "Crazy", "Make Up My Heart", "Starlight Sequence", and "Next Time You Fall in Love." I like to listen to this CD every single day. As you know, this is my favorite CD.

Related Items: Starlight Express(Original London Cast Recording), Music and Songs From Starlight Express(1987 Studio Cast Recording)

Recommended: YES YOU SHOULD GET IT!

I saw the original Starlight Express in London in 1987 and fell in love with this high driving, rocking musical. My friend brought me back this new version after she saw the remake in 1997. I was a little disappointed that some of the original songs and characters were gone, but the feeling and rhythmn behind the original is here in the new version. There's a little bit of every kind of music (rock, country, dance, 50's) to appease any listener. And there is not one singer whose song you would skip. The thing I like better about this version over the original is the little boy and his commentations. It really brings the story together. Though I would recommend this CD to anyone, my heart will always belong to the original.

If you're a fan of the show (and maybe even if you're not), don't hesitate to get this CD (definitely over the earlier versions - although the 1984 one has one song, "Only You", for which you should splurge on getting the '84 recording as well if you have the money). I've seen Starlight Express three times - every time I've been in London since the first time I saw it. It's always the first thing I plan when I go to England. When I found out my dad had two copies of the '93 soundtrack, I immediately grabbed one and took it home, and I've been listening to many of these songs over and over again since; I'd forgotten how good they were. "Make Up My Heart", "Next Time You Fall In Love", and "U.N.C.O.U.P.L.E.D." are my favorites, and stand out along with several others as music that you could have heard anywhere, rather than having that "retro-pastiche" (Buffy fans should recognize the phrase) feel you often find in musical soundtracks. It's not just a good soundtrack; it's good music.

This CD is way beyond awesome! Especially with the best songs "Next Time You Fall in Love", "Make Up My Heart", "Crazy", "He'll whistle at Me","Starlight Sequence"! I recommend these songs to all of you who like StEx or who is an ALW(andrew lloyd webber fan!) Also please get the 1984 cast recording and the 1987 too as well as this one! Hope you enjoy this CDs! And don't4get to play it LOUD!!!!

I was fortunate enough to see the original version in London in 1987. I have since see the remake twice since then. In a nutshell -- the original is better, but the remake is very, very good. If you purchase this version, and don't have the original cast...GET IT!

The people who re-wrote the story turned it from the "adult" themed show that even kids enjoy (kinda like "Grease" -- there are LOTS of innuendos that only adults get) to a really good family show. Shame on them for omitting 2 of the better characters: CB, the red caboose who - I think - had the best part in the show; and Belle, the old sleepign car. Plus, they've omitted so many good songs from the original ("Only You", "There's Me", "CB", "Belle the Sleeping Car", "Lotta Locomotion").

If you have only seen the remake or are planning on seeing it as it is on tour, then you will enjoy CD.

This album is great. The show is amazing aswell.

The faster songs on this album (Rolling Stock, Pumping Iron) and so much better than on the OLC

But I must admit that the slower songs (Starlight Sequence, He Whistled at me) are better on the older version

My advise is get both because they are both great albums and then you will have the complete show of the new Starlight Express

This CD is the most like the current show. Like all other English CD it is abridged but it has all the races and explains the plot well. If you're just getting into Starlight Express this is the best CD to get becuse unlike the other CDs it's not dated. I hear a lot of people gripe about how bad the vocals are on this CD but the fact is that they're not bad. John Patridge (Tugger from the Cats video) is especially cool as Electra. I highly recommend this recording

This Soundtrack rocks!!!! It is MUCH different from the Original recording but it is faster and more lively!!! Unfortunatley they left out many of the songs ( ie Call me Rusty and Lotta Locamotion). still this CD trully tells the story of SE. The lack of characters reflects upon the lack of CB and Belle in london.