Stephen Sondheim, Dean Jones, Elaine Stritch - Company - A Musical Comedy (1970 Original Broadway Cast)

Stephen Sondheim's Company still sounds as modern as it did when it opened in 1970. Donna McKechnie, Susan Browning, and Pamela Myers spoof the Andrews Sisters with gusto in the tongue-twisting "You Could Drive a Person Crazy," while Browning and Dean Jones's "Barcelona" is filled with longing and heartbreak. And, of course, Elaine Stritch reigns supreme, proving once more that you don't have to be the best singer to steal a musical. An extra track features Larry Kert (Tony in the original West Side Story) singing "Being Alive." Kert had replaced Jones early in the run but wasn't on the original cast recording. It would have been nice to finally get the lyrics, though. --Elisabeth Vincentelli Amazon.com essential recording

GREAT score - but get the LONDON OCR, if you can!

Make no mistake, Company is one of Sondheim's GREAT scores, and this album is fantastic.

SO - why did I give it 4 stars and not 5? Two words: Dean Jones.

Since his agreement was that he would open the show and stay for only a very few performances, why he was permitted to record the original Broadway cast album instead of his successor in the role of Bobby, Larry Kert, is unfathomable. Jones is off-key more than he's on, and his singing, while unarguably effective dramatically, is frankly painful to hear.

The late Larry Kert - the originator of the role of Tony in the original Broadway production of West Side Story - on the other hand, was a BRILLIANT singer.

The original London cast recording of the show is currently available from Amazon Marketplace U.K. This is essentially the Broadway cast album, with Jones' vocals wiped and replaced with Kert's. The difference is - well, it's night and day. The London album has never been made available in the U.S., but happily now, through the magic of the Web, we can obtain copies. I recently purchased a copy of the London recording from this source, and I don't think I'll EVER play the Broadway album again. I'm not kidding. Trust me - get the London recording; it's well worth 20-something bucks to hear Bobby's role FINALLY SUNG WELL. If you already have the Broadway recording, the London album will probably delight you even more. (Be careful - some of the reviews at Amazon U.K. might point you to the wrong recording of the show. You're looking for the one with the same purple-with-orange-type cover as the Broadway album.)

Just do it! November 6, 2008

I'll Drink To That

As with most OBC recordings, this is the deffinitive recording of Company. Each cast member is wonderful and every song is a joy. Elaine Stritch is probably the highlight of the recording, she lends her wonderfully characteristic voice to the ensemble numbers (listen to her shouting away in the finale!) and gives her legendary performance of one of Sondheim's best - "The Ladies Who Lunch". "You Could Drive A Person Crazy" is wonderfully sung with flawless harmonies throughout. "Poor Baby", usually a very problematical number, is pulled off effortlessly. I'll also happily admit to never having liked "Another Hundred People" untill hearing this recording.
Overall, one of the best cast recordings I've ever heard (and I've heard a fair few). So although there are other equally good, or sometimes better, performances out there (ie. Madeline Kahn's "Getting Married Today"; Millicent Martin, Lea Salonga, Ruthie Henshall and Maria Friedman's "You Could Drive A Person Crazy" and Patti LuPone's (or Bernadette Peter's) "Being Alive") this is the best all round recording for a totally competent cast and Elaine Stritch's Johanna will never be bettered: I'll drink to that!
The CD is now digitally smartened up and the sound is flawless. The bonus track (Lary Kert's "Being Alive") is nice to have though slightly pointless as it is almost identical to Dean Jones' but, in my view, slightly less emotive. All in all, a must for any Sondheim or post 1957 musical theatre fan! April 5, 2008

Company, the Musical CD

Excellent musical. The original cast is talented. Because I'm a Sonheim fan, I'm glad to have the CD.
March 1, 2008

In Great Company

The original Broadway cast album is still the standard by which to judge all others. Except for the added track of Being Alive (rhythmically static) the songs are so well presented one wonders how any revival can compare. Knowing the show intimately from listening to the cassette for years I am thrilled to have it on CD with good acoustic balance. November 24, 2007

Company - A Musical Comedy (1970 Original Broadway Cast)

Company is one of my favorite musicals ever! It's funny, witty and a musical! I may not have seen the original cast perform, but the cast who performed it stayed true to the musical piece. So when I listen to the CD, I don't feel like I missed out a lot.. The music and lyrics are just hilarious! Listening to it keeps me "company" in traffic.. It really is very entertaining.

Not to mention, Stephen Sondheim is GOD! November 18, 2007

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