[ActingDude17]

I just got addicted to this musical a month ago and I want a soundtrack of it...My question is: which soundtrack to buy?

I always am a sucker for Original Casts, but I'm looking for some insight on which one I should buy.

Any suggestions?

[mastachen]

You mean cast recordings?

And I would recommend the Original Cast - Len Cariou and Angela Lansbury are quite amazing, and on iTunes, it's a lot cheaper than the revival lol

[postmodern-mango-salsa]

they both have pros and cons:
Original- full orchestra, like Sondheim intended.
Revival- reduced, but in songs like Epiphany, it sounds better IMO
Original- Lansbury's voice gets on my nerves
Revival- Ceveris' voice is too gruff for my taste

the list goes on and on.
honestly, I think you should have both.
I'd buy the original first, though.

[Xack]

I definitley like the original better. I feel like something is lost without the full orchestra.

[mozurkz]

Personally I prefer the revival. Tons of people prefer the Original though, so you will probably like the original better. I'll pitch for the revival though.

Even though the revival has a reduced orchestra, the orchestrations themselves are better. The strings used in 'The ballad of sweeney todd' and 'Johanna' are simply haunting. Also the musical themes and little subtleties in the music stand out more. The smaller orchestra also contributes to a more intimate, personal feeling.

The actors on the revival CD are much better too. Lansbury plays Lovett atrociously, using her for comic relief instead of the deep character she is. Not to mention she's unpleasant to listen to. Toby, Anthony and Johanna all are very strong singers who have few flaws, and Sweeney is delightfully human. In the revival you truly care for him, and you hear the sadness in his voice. The original sweeney played him big, which, while right for the production, lacks the emotion and feeling of the revival's.

Really, I think it comes down to what you listen to first. I actually heard the highlights from the original first, but it didn't hook me. But from the moment i heard the ballad of sweeney todd in the broadway.com video, I wanted to buy the revival, but i'm sure that If I had taken the time to become obsessed with the original, I'd be supporting it right now.

[Sweeney Hyde]

I actually bought the revival recording first. It was my first full exposure to Sweeney Todd. IMO...it's very good and definately worth getting...however...I think it would be a safer route to go with the original first...OR get the DVD with Hearn and Lansbury...do that...or get them all!

[actor]

[Xack]

[pish123c]

I love them both, and prefer the revival recording, but I think it's best to get the OBCR first.

[Sweeney Hyde]

You can also buy the script from amazon, which I highly suggest, so that you can read the dialouge then hear the music.

[Sweeney Hyde]

[Pounce]

[Salome]

there is very little thats good in the revival. LuPone is dreaful, cerveris is adequate. i do like marc jacoby and the actress playing johanna.

but the OBC is perfect..Lansbury's legendary portrayal..no one ever had the nuances in the role like Lansbury..not even beth fowler.

Cariou is mesmerizing..i do prefer George Hearn in the dvd of the tour ..but Carious is also wonderful.

the supporting cast..Edmund Lyndeck,Victor Garber,Merle louise..all unbeatable.

[ActingDude17]

Pounce, I'm talking about which play soundtrack to buy, not movie.

[Pounce]

[Sweeney Hyde]

[Pounce]

[Sweeney Hyde]

[Pounce]

[Sweeney Hyde]

[Pounce]