[rock_musicals]

I really like Cats and Im going to buy an album... which one?
I already have a copy of the London [I wrote to Really Useful as a class project, and they sent me a copy of the book, face makeup, keychains, the London 2CD set!] so what should I get?

?
Zvika

[littlgriz]

id get the brodway one

[Nemi]

As somone who has both the Broadway and the Austrailian recordings, I'd personally suggest the Australian. It's the most complete English recording, and has a few things the Broadway one does not (as The Aweful Battle of the Pekes and the Pollicles and Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer singing their own song).

The Broadway one is alright, but the Aussie one is by far my favourite. Some character interperetations are interesting (Mungojerrie can be flat out annoying if you aren't in the mood for him, while Jellylorum has the sweetest voice imaginable), so it sort of mixes things up in a good way.

[Cassandra]

I agree with Nemi about the Australian recording. I believe it's the best of the albums in English.

If you want to listen to Cats in a language other than English, I really like the German and French recordings for completeness. Japanese is very good, as well.

My favorite highlights album is the Austrian recording.

Hope this helps!

[Etcetera Kitten]

Aw, sorry to invade the topic, but Nemi! I am looking for the Australian songs, so I thought you could tell me if the record has Growltiger and Griddlebone?

Also, I really do suggest either getting the DVD, and to avoid the Broadway cast if you have little money. I have both and much prefer the DVD to the Broadway songs, because I guess I was not used to the BW cast in the first place. And yeah the BW record misses a bunch of songs.

If you look hard enough on iTunes though you can get the DVD songs to enjoy them on a burned CD or an iPod. I can't tell if this is kind of illegal, but I bought the DVD so I guess there is no problem with that.

Good luck!

[Rumblepurr]

The Australian set has 2 CDs, and lyrics booklet; and, is complete with both Pekes & Pollicles and Growltiger's Last Stand. This set also has The Aria ("In Una Tepida Notte").

As stated, it is a very good recording even though parts of it really does sound like a recording studio rather than a live performance.

Respectfully,
Rumblepurr
The Writer Cat.

[Nemi]

Ugh... French recording... I want it so.


But yes, Rumblepurr answered the question perfectly. All the females in the recording have such lovely voices *coos at Jellylorum, Sillabub, and Demeter specifically*

I bought my copy off Amazon.com for around $12 American, I think... definately worth it.

[Pounce]

The video's music was performed with a full orchestra so I think it has the best overall musical arrangement. But of the cast recordings, I think Broadway has the best orchestration. I love listening to its music. The Australian version is sung better than Broadway plus I prefer M&R singing their parts rather than Misto. I did notice however that the Australian version shaved some of the sections. For example, the fight music of Macavity is slightly shortened. And for pricing, the Australian version for some reason is significantly cheaper. But in my opinion, the music is better on the Broadway version and the singing is better on the Australian.

[mantarnia]

Personly I prefer the australian to the broardway.

[Jemima57]

I agree if you want an English recording, the Australian is the best one imo... but the German recording is really great too. Those 2 are my fav

[VictoriaTWC]

My fave is the Dutch recording, but in English the Australian cast really sounds the best. Its very Studio, but not as speeded up in tempo as the Bway cast album.

I like the fact that Pekes is on it, the only English official recording they did.

Purrs,
VTWC