Candide: The New Broadway Cast Recording (1997 Revival)

Additional lyrics by John LaTouche. Album Description

Just OK

Though Harolyn Blackwell has a gorgeos soprano voice, her "Glitter" falls short for me as do "Garden" and "Happy We", and her dialogue seems overdone and very cheesey, as does most of the the dialogue on this recording. Jim Dale is good as Pangloss/Narrator. Andrea Martin, as the Old Lady sports a hilarious accent (as usual) she lack energy in her big number (I am easily assimilated). March 26, 2008

Mediocre score with one or two pure gems.

I think Candide by Leonard Bernstein is the perfect I-Tunes score. If it is downloadable, download the last track (24), Make Our Garden Grow. It's totally gorgeous. One or two other tracks have some redeeming value and the rest is quite forgettable. Not a good use of money to buy it, and I love Leonard Bernstein and musicals. I don't think it's just this specific recording, I think it's the show itself. No one bats 1000. November 4, 2007

Glitter, but 1956 is Better.

I currently own two recordings of Candide, this one and the 1956 original. It is hard to say which one is better; however it is easy to say that the 1956 recording is more important. That is the original. Many have come after it (including a revised version by Bernstein himself) but that is the basis for them all. Each revision is different in some way, so you really should own that one to know the true Candide. Candide leans heavily into the stylings of operetta so some West Side Story fans may be surprised with what they hear, but it is still beautiful music. This revival recording has almost the full orchestrations and they sound glorious. Some reworking of libretto and plot may not be, but hearing the magnificent composition of Bernstein is well worth the investment. Bottom line: If you can only get one, get the 1956 Original, but if you've got the cash get this is one too. Favorite song: "It Must Be So" October 19, 2007

Nice Recording Misses Cook

While it's great to have a new, more comprehensive recording of Bernstein's classic, this sadly, and blatantly misses the mark on one count, the role of Cunegonde will now and forever belong to Barbara Cook. While Harolyn Blackwell possess a gorgeous voice, she can't compare to Cook in the original. The same could be said for Erie Mills in the NYC Opera company version in the late 80's. That being said, the rest of the cast led by Jason Danielly are wonderful...if only someone of Cook's calibre could have filled the void, this would be perfection! July 31, 2007

My least favourite version

It simply tries too hard to be hip and smart and funny, and as a result it's none of them. Musically, it manages to make the score sound flat and almost dull.

Avoid this one. There are far better ones available. This one simply misses the mark. November 28, 2006

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