The Scarlet Pimpernel (1991 Concept Cast) [CAST RECORDING]

Frank Wildhorn (Artist), Nan Knighton (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 17, 1992)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Cast Recording
• Label: Angel Records
• ASIN: B000002SJZ
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #56,274 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  Music > Broadway & Vocalists > Musicals > Contemporary Musicals

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Somewhat infamous for appearing on Broadway in numerous revisions without ever really clicking, Frank Wildhorn and Nan Knighton's Scarlet Pimpernel is represented in its earliest form in this 1991 concept album. The story, borrowed from the classic Baroness Orczy novel, follows Sir Percy Blakeney, an Englishman who uses his foppish image as a cover for his undercover adventures rescuing people from the guillotine during the French Revolution. He must, however, be careful around his new wife, the French actress Marguerite, whom he doesn't entirely trust. This is the first of three recordings of this score, and it's the most uneven, using its "concept album" status as an opportunity to rather awkwardly mix a variety of styles, from harpsichord-driven "period" pieces to power-pop ballads to a flamenco (?) number. Even with that caveat, it might be the most enjoyable of the three simply because of the presence of pop diva Linda Eder. Wildhorn's wife was along for the many stages of Jekyll & Hyde but sang Pimpernel only on this recording, and her tracks can stand alone as a pretty satisfying pop album: "Home Again," "When I Look at You," "Now When the Rain Falls," "I'll Forget You," "You Are My Home" (with Peabo Bryson), "The Riddle" and "Our Separate Ways" (both with Dave Clemmons), and "There Never Was a Time" (with Chuck Wagner). In addition, listening to Eder wrap her golden vocal cords around that favorite tune of cabaret singers, "Storybook," may itself be worth the price of the CD. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Much Better than Broadway!, June 8, 2006

By	Queen of Annwen - See all my reviews

I originally got this album from the library just to hear the deleted single "I'll Forget you" but I was very surprised to find that I adored a lot more of this music than I thought. While singers and songs alike (with the exception of Terrance Mann) did not exactly click in the Broadway recording, I was immensely pleased to hear Linda Eder as Margurite, though I was nervous about the other actors.
First of all, though Terry Mann remains my favorite Chauvelin by far, I was surprised to find Dave Clemmons pull in a VERY close second. His duet "The Riddle" with Marguerite was wonderful and "Marguerite", now suceeded by "Where's the girl" (an equally wonderful piece), was haunting and beautiful.
Eder's role as Marguerite was perfectly placed and the songs compliment her voice and range very well.
Finally, Wagner completes the trio with wonderful reditions of "The Creation of Man" (hilariously funny) and "There Never was a time".
However, I wasn't exactly thrilled with the particular recording of "You are my home". While it is a good song, under these circumstances, I must say I prefer the broadway armand and that particular rendition.
Songs like "they seek him here" and "the scarlet pimpernel" were a little stuffy, though I now adore "Madame Guillotine".
Overall, a very worthwhile buy for many of the deleted songs, though I was disappointed this album didn't carry "falcon in the dive". However, fans of Wildhorn's works, such as Jekyll and Hyde, will enjoy this addition to their collection.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's a keeper, December 3, 1999

By	carol a letendre (Fall River, Massachusetts) - See all my reviews

This recording is incredible. I do not own the OSV but I know it's can't possibly be beter than this one. The entire cast is remarkable. Linda has a beautiful voice and I never tier of hearing it. Chuck Wagner is just phenomenal. He has the amazing ability to make you feel so many emotions with his beautiful voice. The song "Into the Fire" really shows his incredible talents. This is definitely a CD not to miss!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing recording of a great show!, January 29, 1999

By A Customer

The Scarlet Pimpernel is one of my favorite shows, and I'd had the fabulous OBC recording for months before I got the concept recording. Both are great recordings, and the OBC is superior in my opinion, but the concept recording is also absolutely amazing. Linda Eder, who does such a fabulous job in Jekyll & Hyde, is an amazing Marguerite. From the beautiful "Home Again" to the lively "Storybook" Linda's gorgeous strong voice shines through. Chuck Wagner is no Douglas Sills- his Percy is much less foppish, although he does have his moments. Wagner does have a very nice voice, his version of "Into the Fire" is great! Dave Clemmons' Chauvelin is my favorite thing about this recording. Although I adore Terry Mann on the OBC, Dave's Chauvelin is still so great to me; very seductive in "Marguerite," a beautiful song that was cut from the later show. Although he doesn't have maybe as much strength as Terry, he is very talented and has a fabulously seductive voice. The songs which were later cut from the show are all very beautiful, and although the ones that stayed are not nearly up to what they eventually became, they also are great. It's very interesting to note the lyrical changes in some, especially "The Scarlet Pimpernel" which has almost entirely different lyrics, and I do prefer the ones on the concept! A lot of this recording has a very Latin feel to it, especially "Our Separate Ways," a Chauvelin/Marguerite duet. There are songs for everyone, from the cheerful "They Seek Him Here" to the tearjerker "Now When the Rain Falls." This CD is a must for any Scarlet Pimpernel fan, and any other fans of musical theatre!