Customer Reviews

Starlight Express (Original German Cast)

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4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
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Ok Amazon, you got your info wrong LOL. This is infact the 1991 Bochum, Germany Highlights CD. There were two other German recordings before this one. The Original German Cast It's very similar to the US "concept" recording) and the Live Bochum Recording. Now here's my review...

The music is very good on this CD with strong vocal talents. Colin Monroe is a good Rusty, Claudia Bradley's Pearl is pleasent, and Kapa Kitchen IS Red Caboose. If you're interested in getting an idea of what the German show is like, then get this CD. It's worth every penny.

I'd like to add that Amazon's price is great. I've seen it sell for much more.

Those familiar with the high-tech 80's sound of the Original London Cast recording
might be surprised by the more organic, rock-n-roll arrangements of the German production.
Digital drum machines are replaced by "real" drums, and the Synthesizers and Electronic Keyboards
which dominated the OLC version share equal time with Funky Horns and rock-n-roll Guitars.
The mid-80's pop sound of the OLC production has been replaced with a sort-of late-70's R&B sound.
Synthesizers do take center stage for "AC/DC", which sounds like something Gary Numan
might have done in the early 80's.

It is not the FULL production, but a collection of the shows highlights. My personal favorites being:
"AC/DC", "Rolling STock" and "Hilf Mir Versteh'n" (Unfortunately none of the "RACES" are featured here.)
The lyrics have been translated into German, and the CD booklet contains a few pictures
from the theatrical production.

To the best of my knowledge, there are 4 recordings of STARLIGHT EXPRESS currently available on CD:
The Original London Cast-84
The American Studio Cast-87
The Original German Cast-91
The Revised London Cast-92

[There was a Mexican production called EXPRESO ASTRAL,
translated into Spanish, but I'm not aware of any recording of this production]

This CD is a nice addition for any STARLIGHT fan, not just for the alternate arrangements and lyrics,
but also because it contains a few songs which weren't on the Original London Cast.
Also, it was recorded shortly before the 1992 revision of the London production.
It's tracklisting is like a hybrid of the 1984 and 1992 London versions.
(Though the Original 1984 recording is still my favorite...)

Mmm. When this CD arrived I was a little disappointed. It wasn't the double CD (original cast) recording I was expecting, but the smaller, single version. Oh well.

The composition of the cd is a little sparse, it doesn't have the races which is a real blow and some of the songs seem a little cut, however what's there is good, and definately worth the money. AC/DC and the 'Parade' are probably the best numbers, Electra is brilliantly sung, whilst Du Allien (only you) and Rolling Stock come in close second.

Overall it's a fantastic cd (probably even better if you speak german and can understand what they're actually saying), every fan of the other productions should have a copy of what is probably the greatest version ever. Just a pity there isn't more of it.

Hi! When I ordered this CD ...I was really confused. I knew it was Starlight Express, and in German, but I had no clue what songs were on it or anything. Here's a list of the songs on it

Rolling Stock
Liebesexpress (engine of love)
Ne Lok Mit Locomotion (lotta locomotion)
Fracht (freight)
AC/DC
Pumping Iron
Hilf mir Versteh'n (make up my heart)
Papas blues
Starlight Express
Parade
G.E.K.U.P.P.E.L.T (U.N.C.O.U.P.L.E.D)
Girls Rolling Stock (rolling stock reprise)
Mein Speil (CB)
Right Place, Right Time
Starlight Sequenz
Ein Rock'n'Roll Zuviel (one rock and roll to many)
Du Allein (only He)
Ein Licht Ganz Am Ende Des Tunnels (light at the end of the tunnel)

Okay, now actual reveiw. It's a really great sound track, very well sung. The German version of Starlight Express is more like the 1985 London show, than the current one. Meaning, it has a plot, no Crazy, Lotta Locomotion, Only You instead of Next Time You Fall In Love, and CB wasn't cut. Belle's not in this version though.

It's got Kapa Kitchen as The Caboose, and he's just amazing in the part. Collin Monro isn't the best Rusty I've heard, but he does a fair job. Darlen Casanova is a really wonderful Dinah (though not as good as Francis Ruffele in the original london cast), and I'd say her rendition of G.E.K.U.P.P.E.L.T is one of the highlights of the sound track. Du Allien, the German version of "Only You" is a really nice song.

In short, definately a worth while sound track for any fan of Starlight Express, but if you want to actually understand the plot, I'd recommend the Original London Cast.

A lot of work went into this Higlights CD of Starlight Express in Germany. I was the voice of Rusty on that CD. Colin Munro, not Monroe. Funny enough, Stevie Woods and I both had Bronchitis at the times we recorded it. It was a blast to work with Claudia. She was quite a personality, and the most amazing voice I've ever known. The show was a lot of fun, and recordig it was even more fun. Get it. It's worth it!