Search - Cole Porter, Paul Jones, Peter Newton :: Kiss Me Kate (1987 London Revival)

Still looking for a good overall version of KMK

Charles Grigaitis | 02/25/2003

(2 out of 5 stars)

"My title says it all. I have yet to find a version of Kiss Me Kate that I like in terms of orchestrations, sound fidelity, and singing ability. The original '49 version, IMHO, is too old making the orchestra and cast sound boxy and somewhat unintelligiable. Original cast recordings of the '40s generally sound that way and no amount of digital remastering would improve them much (BTW, Brigadoon might be the exception to that rule.)The later '59 studio version has HiFi stereo quality but while the orchestra sounds much better, the original actors sound 10 years older (Lisa Kirk's alto, in particular, has grown even huskier, and therefore unbearable for me to listen to, compared to her younger, more pleasant, late 40s-style crooning counterpart). The recent Broadway revival has fine Tony-winning orchestrations, Stokes Mitchell and Mazzie do a fine job, but Spangler and Berresse are uninspiring as singers and song interpreters. Finally, I went and bought this recording (1987 London Revival) on the strength of Fiona Hadleys pussycat-sexy version of "Why Can't You Behave." ***
I'm still looking for a good overall recording of Kiss Me Kate. Hadley sounded fine fine for me, although some would object to the English accent and her often fruity tone production. (I accept those elements as part of her sex appeal!) The new orchestrations, however, sound VERY bland and unbroadwaylike. They seem to evaporate at times, much like common elevator music. Furthermore, Paul Jones can hardly sing and Nichola McAuliffe's voice is just as stuffy as Patricia Morrison's, who was in the '49 Broadway and '59 studio versions.Sigh. I guess the search continues..."

Good recording

Charles Grigaitis | Worcester, MA United States | 06/01/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this recording when it first came out approximately 10 years ago.Being a big fan of the movie, I was dissapointed in the original Broadway cast recording(have since changed my opinion of that). I found the new musical arrangements to really add a great deal to the show, and the vocal performances are very good, even for British singers. I recomend you add this cast recording to your collection"