which joseph and the amazing technicolor dream coat cast album should i buy?

[musicaltheatreman2]

which recording has the best sung narrator? the narrator is my favorite part in this musical.

[Gaveston2]

You can't go wrong with Laurie Beechman.

[Owen22]

When in doubt always buy Laurie Beechman...

[Ourtime992]

Laurie Beechman is without peer, but the arrangements have changed so much over time that the recording featuring her sounds almost like a different show. Personally, of the three "coat hanger" casts, I like Kelli Rabke on the L.A. cast best.

[Zimmy]

Kelli Rabke rocks the narrator. You can also catch her on the Childen of Eden cast recording as Yonah. - What ever happened to her anyway?

[LizzieCurry]

Linzi Hateley.

[ChildrenwillListen]

Whoever the narrator was in the production with Donny Osmond. I really like her voice.

[Matt2]

You mean Maria Friedman or Janet Metz?

[greensgreens]

LINZI HATELY if you're all about the narrator. Janet Metz does a nice job on the Donny Osmond Canadian recording, but Linzi's clear distinct vocal is really my favorite. She was amazing live - truly great at making a pretty thankless role work.

[musicaltheatreman2]

how many cast recordings are there?

[AEA AGMA SM]

Janet Metz is on the Toronto recording with Donny Osmond. I do not know if they ever released a CD of the video cast (Osmond/Friedman).

[fashionguru_23]

If you can find a rip of the video audio, choose that. You can't buy it, I don't think, but Maria Friedman is my favourite Narrator

[CATSNYrevival]

^The movie soundtrack with Maria Friedman was available to purchase on the really useful website prior to the west end revival. Now they just sell the Palladium remaster with the two bonus tracks. You can still buy used copies on Amazon.co.uk. It's my favorite recording simply because it includes the dance music for "One More Angel" and "Canaan Days."



Amazon Link

[Salene]

London with Linzi Hateley.

[tazber]

I don't even know how many recordings there are anymore. I lost count somewhere around 5.

I have the Beecham one (which is the OBCR) and one of the "coat hanger" versions.

Which one is Linzi Hateley on?

[South Fl Marc]

The Laurie Beechman one.

It was also my favorite production of this show that I've seen.

Stay away from the Osmond one, he is awful.

[greensgreens]

Linzi is on the London Cast Recording (the first of the "coat hanger" productions) with Jason Donovan as Joseph. I think it's from '91. The Donny Osmond/Janet Metz recording is the "coat hanger" production with the white/deep blue artwork (easily my favorite art treatment for Joseph); the Michael Damian/Kelli Rabke recording uses the black artwork again.

The most interesting thing about these recordings is they all use the Robin Sellars production tracks, instead of each being recorded separately. I know Lloyd Webber has done this since (along with other recordings), but had any shows done this prior? Although Joseph isn't high art with dramatic differences in interpretations among actors, but it always struck me as kind of odd that each of the new casts would have to retrofit their performances to the Palladium recording for preservation.

[Mister Matt]

Laurie Beechman for the best narrator. Toronto w/Donny Osmond for best overall revival recording.

[PattiLover]

The Laurie Beechman is great, but I love the original London production with the male narrator. It's more rock oriented and less annoying than the over-amplified 90's revivals.

[CATSNYrevival]

^Just turn the volume down, Patti.

[cabaretman24]

The LA Cast

[musicaltheatreman2]

pattie is the orginal cast recording with the male narorator avaliable to buy? i would love to hear a male take on the role

[123musicalfan]

Maria Friedman and Laurie Beecham are in my opinion, the best narrator's the show has had. I love Laurie who has a stunning voice, and Maria as she brings such a great depth to the role. (Tim Rice said that Maria playing the role was amazing, because she brought out so much in the character. I believe ALW and Donny Osmond said the same thing ... ALW on the Special Features disc, and Donny Osmond on a Broadwayworld interview).

I'd suggest, if you can get it, the Donny Osmond/Maria Friedman one

[egghumor]

Obviously an argument for each recording, but I think musical theater lovers are so lucky that Laurie Beechman's narrator was captured. Her vocals peal like a church bell!

[PattiLover]

"pattie is the orginal cast recording with the male narorator avaliable to buy? i would love to hear a male take on the role"

Here you go:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000002NWN?ie=UTF8&tag=smbeijing-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000002NWN

[Kev]

I'd say buy the original (with the fearless, rich-voiced Laurie Beechman) AND one of the revival recordings.

Hateley (London) is a wonderfully warm Narrator and she pretty much sticks to the written score. Metz (Toronto) is clearly more funky, with a high-powered, energetic belt. Rabke (L.A.) is lovely but, a bit bland (as is her leading man.) Friedman is an easy listen but lacks power.

(Sidenote: I would've enjoyed a recording of the first U.S. Revival tour with Sam Harris and Kristine Fraelich. Insane vocals.)

Ultimately, I'd go for the London or Canadian versions.