Search - Cy Coleman, City of Angels Pit Orchestra, Billy J. Mitchell :: City of Angels [Original London Cast Recording]

A very good presentation of the show as a whole.

Sean | LOOK | 06/29/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"To start out with, one thing that this album has in common with the original is the great music of Cy Coleman and the almost perfect lyrics of David Zippel (particularly in "It Needs Work" and "You Can Always Count on Me"), which have never been better. This album is decidedly different from the OBCR, in that it tries to represent the whole show, and not just be a showcase for the songs (which is okay, because I still love the OBCR). It includes wonderful moments of stinging, witty Gelbart dialogue (as on the "L.A. Blues" track, and the "It Needs Work" track). Sometimes, Fiona Hendley gets a bit too over-stylized as Bobbi, trying to sound, I'm guessing, American, but as Gabbi she flourishes, and her performance of "It Needs Work" is great. It sounds as if the actresses singing "What You Don't Know About Women," while still giving a very good performance, are afraid of letting loose and really flying at the end of the song. The voices are not always as strong as they could be, for example, the early faltrering out at the end of "You're Nothing Without Me." "Stay With Me" has never sounded better, and there is a very exciting "All You Have to Do is Wait" by way of David Schoffield on this version as well. In fact, it sounds as if "Wait" and "The Buddy System" (in a very exciting performance by Henry Goodman) have both been re-arranged. "The Tennis Song" is also very good, do a lot to the fact that Susannah Fellows is a perfect Alaura Kingsley (like her Broadway counterpart, Dee Hoty). "You Can Always Count On Me" also flourishes (while cutting the American reference to "the junior prom"). The dialogue at the beginning of the dueted reprise of "With Every Breath I Take" makes for a very touching moment, and this track is among the CD's highlights. The orchestra is very good on "Funny," "L.A. Blues," and the Prologue. This album also has "The Party" and the first section of "Double Talk," which were left off of the OBCR in a very criminal fashion. All in all, a very exciting and rewarding album. A must for all fans of the show, the score, and good musical theatre."

Excelent Score - Production not as good as NY

chriscol | 02/09/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This CD contains the full score for the show - several songs which were not on the Broadway Cast Recording in thier entirety are present. The production quality of this CD, however, dosen't hold a candle to the NY."

Buy it. Now!

chriscol | Europe | 04/05/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you like jazz and Broadway/West End musicals, then this is the CD for you! Arguably Cy Coleman's strongest score, City of Angels is also one of the most intelligent musicals ever put together, with some exceptionally clever lyrics courtesy of David Zippel, and a killer plot (which is conveyed surprisingly well through this highlights recording).Easily one of my favourite musicals, I'd recommend this London cast recording of the show over its Broadway counterpart any day. True, the post-production on the Broadway album probably has the edge... which is almost a shame, as the individual performances here have never been bettered. Roger Allam and Martin Smith are commanding leads, with more characterful, better differentiated voices than the principles on the OBCR. Smith in particular handles a 'new' and far more difficult ending to "Double Talk" with great gusto. David Schofield and Henry Goodman (as Munoz and Buddy, respectively) shine in their re-arranged solos, and Haydn Gwynne and Susannah Fellows deserve a special mention too for their rich performances. Gwynne's delivery of "You Can Always Count on Me" (possibly the best song ever written?) is quite incredible!Basically, if you want to hear the only real jazz-musical ever written, then this is the recording to go for."