Search - Various Artists :: West Side Story

This is actually the Original 1959 London Cast

The Music Man | United States | 01/12/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I was surprised when doing a little research on West Side Story recordings to discover that this CD, put out by Intersound/Platinum Entertainment Inc. is the Original London Cast recording from 1959! It was conducted by Lawrence Leonard, and starred George Chakiris, Bruce Trent, Lucille Graham, Mary Thomas, and Joyce Berry. And while it's a great historical document of the first London appearance of West Side Story, the recording simply doesn't hold a candle to the Broadway Cast Recording, with the two leads sounding too old and "trained" in their voices, and robs their story of the rawness which the Original Broadway Cast recording has. The sound also sounds a little "echo-y", but some of the performances are great, with the orchestra and secondary singers bringing some real fire to their performances. So if you're into historic recordings, take note, this isn't the "42nd Street Singers", but the Original 1959 London Cast."

Just kidding?

The Music Man | 07/09/2001

(2 out of 5 stars)

"West Side Story is one of the most wonderful shows ever written, one of the most performed by amateur, stock and high schools. Among the countless recordings of this fabulous score, only the original Broadway cast is worth the trouble. As it seems, all these recordings wanted to create somthing new and different and strayed greatly form the original material, when there truly is no need for that. The music, the lyrics, the message, the magic are perfect as they are but most directors don't seem to agree and they change, adapt and lose some of the perfection along the way. The artists on this recording can sing, but in no way do they catch the wonderful message of a teenage boy and girl who fall hoplessly in love and the tragedy of hate and violence. When will there be a GOOD recording of West Side Story?"