Archive for April, 2009
Company – The Perfect Cast Recording
April 10, 2009 9:12 am
Company is one of my all time favorite shows. I have seen it performed many times and I never tire of seeing it. However, trying to pick the best cast recording from the recordings available is another matter. There are three American recordings. The 1970 original cast recording featured Dean Jones as Bobby and Elaine Stritch in the role of JoAnn. The 1995 revival cast recording featured Boyd Gaines as Bobby and the 2006 production, which was unlike either of the other two, featured Raul Esparza as Bobby. Larry Kert (West Side Story) replaced Dean Jones early in the original run, but all we have of him as Bobby is a bonus track on the rereleased 1970 cast recording. There are London cast recordings, but I find them untenable so I have decided not to include them here.
So, what to recommend? I recommend you buy all three Broadway cast recordings and then, for your own listening pleasure, make your own Company Perfect Cast Recording(CPCR). While no one recording is totally superior to the others, there is something from each to be added to you CPCR.
Below are my choices for each number to help you create your own CPCR.
The Opening – Company (The 1995 revival cast recording) – There are a lot of reasons to choose this version. It has more life than either of the other two, the tempo is crisper, the harmonies are very clear and the sound of the recording is just superior.
The Little Things We Do Together (The Original 1970 Recording) – I really like the tempo here better than in any of the others. The rhythm seems more punctuated as well. But, the main reason for my choice is Elaine Stritch. Some people own certain parts. Elaine Stritch owns JoAnn and no one has ever touched her performance.
Sorry Grateful (The 2006 revival cast recording) – The 1970 and 1995 versions are both very good, but the 2006 recording is the most insightful and has greater interplay between voice and instrumentation which creates a much better effect.
You Could Drive A Person Crazy (The 1995 revival cast recording) – All three performances are very good. I really like the people on the original recording, but the 1995 recording is clearer and crisper. The sync of the voices is such that every word is understood. The instrumentation in the 2006 recording makes it unsatisfying.
Have I Got A Girl For You (The 1995 revival cast recording) – Hands down, the 1995 recording is the winner here. The rhythmic punctuations help drive the excitement of the piece. It is great from beginning to end.
Someone is Waiting (The 1995 revival cast recording) – The voice of Boyd Gaines makes the difference here. Dean Jones cannot compare and Raul Esparza’s version is vocally nice, but we hear his slurred “s” sounds and that is bothersome. Additionally, instrumentally it is to bare.
Another 100 People (The 1995 revival cast recording) – This is a dynamite number. The enunciation, diction, pitch and orchestration of the 1995 recording are far better that what you find in the 1970 recording.
Getting Married Today (The 1995 revival cast recording) – What I really like the most about this version is the enunciation and diction. You understand every word. Nothing of the text is lost and that makes this version spectacular.
Marry Me A Little (The 2006 revival cast recording) – I do not like that recording very much, but Raul Esparza is wonderful here. He croons. This song was cut from the original and appears for the first time in the 1995 recording.
Side By Side / What Would We Do Without You (The 1995 revival cast recording) – This performance is really fun. It reminds me of a number that could have been seen in Follies. It just sounds more Sondheim like than either of the others ones. You cannot get through this version without wanting to get up and dance.
Poor Baby (The Original 1970 Recording) – This is the real hen party version. The women are clear, crisp and snippy. Neither of the other versions comes close here.
Barcelona (The 1995 Cast Recording) – Boyd Gaines just has exceptional vocal power and vocal control and he shows it here. His phrasing and breath contol are great and his vocal acting is terrific.
The Ladies Who Lunch (The Original 1970 Recording) – I have said it before, but it deserves repeating. This part and this song belong to Elaine Stritch. No one can touch her.
Being Alive (The 1995 Cast Recording) Boyd Gaines has the strongest voice of the three Bobby performers and it is in this number that this becomes the most obvious. Bobby gains more and more insight with each phrase and Gaines uses his vocal ability to grow the sound through the piece. It is a wonderful performance.
So there you have it……..The Company Perfect Cast Recording. You may ask……..So what if I can only afford to buy one of these albums…….which one? I suggest buying the 1995 revival recording and then buying each of the other numbers as singles…..then put it all together. It will cost you bit more than buying just one recording, but then you will have The Company Perfect Cast Recording.
