Michael Hayden, Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II, Audra McDonald, Shirley Verrett, Sally Murphy - Carousel (1994 Broadway Revival Cast)

Carousel may have been one of Rodgers & Hammerstein's least popular shows at the time, but it's now considered one of the duo's most compelling offerings, and there are plenty of good recordings to choose from. Nicholas Hytner's much-praised production originated in London (with a cast album available on RCA/Victor) before successfully opening at Lincoln Center in New York. The CD's nicely illustrated booklet gives a fair idea of Bob Crowley's spectacular sets and costumes, which went a long way in helping Hytner reinvent the show (he got rid of "The Highest Judge of All," for instance). The American cast (only Michael Hayden's Billy Bigelow appeared in both cities) is as good as it gets, with special kudos going to Audra McDonald and her heavenly "Mister Snow." The original recording may have historical value, but this one's artistically and vocally top-notch. --Elisabeth Vincentelli Amazon.com essential recording

A Master Production of a Masterpiece

CAROUSEL is the only R&H musical that I completely embrace, along with OKLAHOMA, but I consider CAROUSEL to be a stronger show, not just musically, but in its narritive and character development as well. That said, I love listening to this recording! Audra McDonald's Carrie is a revelation, and her rendition of "Mr. Snow" is one of the highlights of the show, along with "Carousel Waltz," "What's the Use of Wondrin'?", "When the Children Are Asleep," and of course the full version of "If I Loved You." I agree with other reviewers that Michael Hayden isn't an amazing, astonishing singer (as others who have played the role have been), but his performance is wonderful in that he puts the needs of the character first. As an actor who sings rather than a singer who acts, I consider singing to be slightly ("slightly" being the key word)secondary to acting in musical theatre, that's one of the things that separates it from opera. Shirley Verrett's Nettie is vocally top nothch, with a very warm voice, although,her "You'll Never Walk Alone" is not as emotional as I would like, but her voice is nonetheless beautiful. Sally Murphy's Julie is very good and has a wonderful silvery soprano,her rendition of "What's the Use of Wondrin'?" nearly bringing one to tears. Her voice is wonderful in all of her songs, but her dialogue in "If I Loved You" is a little too cute at times, but she is wonderful nevertheless. Ms. Murphy is fascinated by Billy, but it is of a more timid fascination, so, you never doubt her innocence and naivitee. Ms. Murphy is also much better vocally than Ms. Joanna Riding on the London recording. Eddie Korbich makes for a quirky and comical Mr. Enoch Snow, end even though he sings out of his nose, you can't help but love his character, and he and Audra McDonald have wonderful chemistry on this recording. Bob Crowley's sets are a revelation and the costumes are suitably simple with an emphasis on color (Billy is in red for the run of the show, I believe, an obvious symbol for his passionate nature and firery temper). Buy this recording for Audra McDonald's Carrie, Sally Murphy's silver-voiced Julie, Michael Hayden's performance (not just his singing) and for the beautiful orchestrations, and of course for the wonderful Rogers and Hammerstein score. December 13, 2008

Almost the best

This recording has a few lines that make the songs more complete, The great Audra Macdonald and that's it. The earlier london recording is vastly superior. Julie in London was acted to perfection, not as a dopey ingenue but as a three dimensional character and it shows on the recording, Micheal Haydyn's Billy is acted more than sung on both and on stage it's great but on a recording I prefer a "real" voice as Billy. But except for the missing
"Greatest Judge of All" this recording and the earlier London cast , together make the most complete Carousel. My favorite of all the recording though is the old RCA studio cast with Robert Merril, Patrice Munsel and Florence Henderson. May 16, 2008

Don't buy this without buying a different Cast recording also: 1)The reason to own this recording 2)The reason to buy the other

If you want a very simple analysis (not a review) of whether or not to buy this:

1)The Reason to Buy It:

Audra McDonald. You have to hear her sing the Carrie songs. She really is unique, marvelous, perfect. You have to hear it. She is a national treasure. I can't say this role was meant to be sung this way but we were all meant to enjoy Audra singing it.

2)The Reason to Buy Another:

I don't like Eddie Korbich's Billy (the main character.) It's overblown. And his singing is just not as good as any of the other Billy's I've heard. Carousel is truly a "sung" show. If the singing isn't rapturous the show feels academic, an exercise and becomes more interesting than moving. On this recording Mr. Korbich sounds like one of those singers who is probably a really strong and powerful actor. But the singing part is just not there and so neither is the emotion. He is an extremely talented man (check him out in the ASSASSINS cast recording where is is great.) Check out one of the others and you will see what I mean.

BTW - try and hear John Raitt sing this role sometime before you die. You might like the others more but man did he nail it. February 7, 2008

An American Masterpiece, Great Recording

MUCH better than the 93 London cast recording! Rodgers and Hammerstein were so superior to any composers of the 40' and 50' (with the exception of Lerner and Lowe perhaps), they should be in their own category of music. Carousel holds up as one of the 4 or 5 greatest American musicals, and this revival clearly proved that (ironically produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company). This recording is magnificent in that it captures almost the entire score, including the ballet. Gritty, earthy and passionate, the two leads may not be the greatest of stage singers, but you can feel every ounce of yearning, sorrow and heartbreak in their voices. If I Loved You has never been recorded with such wrenching emotion before. And Michael Hayden's performance of Soliloquay is riveting. Hayden has since gone on to prove that he is one of the most talented actors currently working on the American stage.
I don't think I need to expound on the talents af Audra MacDonald, just listen to one verse of anything she sings and you will know. Astonishing!
The Carousel Waltz is my alltime favorite piece of music and what a joy to have such an outstanding recording of it in it's entirety. The memory of Carousel's opening to The Carousel Waltz will remain with me forever. Brilliant!
July 23, 2006

Amazing!

I own many recordings of Carousel and I have to say this one is, by far, the best. It has an emotional depth to it that other recordings don't quite match and the 'Carousel Waltz' sends shivers through me every time I hear it and Audra McDonald stands out as a shining star among the others in her singing. Excellent addition to anyone's CD collection! July 5, 2006

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