Les Miserables [Red Ink Complete Symphonic Recording Box]

And the winner is....

All of the commercially available recordings of Les Miserables have something great to offer, and which recording is best for you really depends on who your favorite characters are. For Valjean there are only two choices, Gary Morris on the CSR and Colm Wilkinson of all the others (OLC, OBC, and TAC). The more I listen to Colm Wilkinson, the more I appreciate Gary Morris simply because he's different. Morris is certainly not everyone's favorite, but he really does shine as the complete charater. His &quot Valjean's Soliloquy&quot is amazing, &quot Bring Him Home&quot is more subtley sung by Wilkinson, particularly on the TAC and the weight and power of Wilkinson's mature voice is a joy to hear on the TAC. I gotta say, though, I do like Gary Morris (Except for his &quot Who Am I?,&quot not his best...). There are other Valjeans out there, try to find Randall Keith singing &quot Bring Him Home,&quot you'll never hear a more tender and heart-felt rendion. Ruthie Henshall on the TAC is my absolute favorite Fantine. Her vulnerability and frailty is palpable. She sings &quot I Dreamed a Dream&quot with such sadness and desperation, you can't help but be moved. Ruthie's the best, but Patti Lupone on the OLC is also amazing. You really can't go wrong with either one. Randy Graff (OBC) is perhaps a little too strong for Fantine, and Debbie Byrne (CSR) seems to grate on many people's nerves, though I don't find her voice offensive. For Javert there is only one real choice: Philip Quast on the TAC. He also sings on the CSR, but his rich, powerful baritone is in full bloom on the TAC. Terrence Mann was very new to singing on the OBC, and while his voice has improved admirable over time, he just is not imposing enough for Javert. Roger Allam is just awful on the OLC. My favorite Cosette is Rebecca Caine on the OLC. Her wonderfully youthful tone is refreshing and innocent--perfect for the character. Judy Khun appears on the OBC and the TAC. Earlier is better for her. When the OBC recording was made, she had not yet tackled roles which required her to belt and on the TAC, we can hear the beginnings of strain in her vibrato and upper register. Tracy Shane (CSR) is also youthful sounding, but comes off sounding canned. Lea Salonga is the most finely sung Eponine on record. There is nothing lacking in her performance. Perhaps some would want a rougher-sounding Eponine, but not me! Francis Ruffelle sings on both the OBC and the OLC. London is the one to own, it's actually hard to believe this is the same person. On the OLC Ruffelle is vulnerable and engaging with just the right amount of edge to her voice. On the OBC she is harsh and seems to resort to shouting many of her lines, singing &quot On My Own&quot completely in her nose. The only recording on which Michael Ball does not appear as Marius is the OBC where David Bryant asumes the role. While Bryant isn't horrible, the youthful Ball on the OLC and CSR is the way to go. On the TAC he goes too far and while clearly enjoying himself and the atmosphere of the live recording, he also clearly enjoys the sond of his own voice more. Enjolras is a toss-up between Michael Maguire on the OBC (for the love of all that is holy not on the TAC!!!)and Anthony Warlow on the CSR. My vote is for Warlow. His voice is powerful, his technique secure and his tone capable of being both warm and heroic. David Burt is not worth hearing on the OLC. You can't go wrong with the Thenardiers on the TAC (Alun Armstrong and Jenny Galloway also appear on the OLC). The energy the give and receive to and from the audience is amazing. The CSR has the best orchestra, the TAC has the best emsemble and the OBC has the best orchestrations, though it's cool to hear the originals on the OLC. So that's it! Something for everyone on every single recording! Hope this helps make your decisions!!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Bought it used – thank God!

“Les Miserables” is a marvelous musical a stunningly faithful interpretation of Victor Hugo’s masterpiece, with an inspiring storyline and unforgettable characters. There are 4 major full-length English versions available (Original London Cast, Original Broadway Cast, Complete Symphonic Recording, and Tenth Anniversary Concert). The truth is, that if you were marooned on that proverbial desert island, any of them would be better than none, but we normally have the luxury of choice. There are 2 reasons for buying a Les Mis CD – (1) you’ve seen a performance and want ONE CD to remind you of it or (2) you’ve become a les Mis junkie (like me) and want multiple versions so you too can hold forth on the rival merits of Andy Warlow vs Michael Maguire, Patty LuPone vs Ruthie Henshaw, Frances Ruffelle vs Kaho Shimada vs Lea Solonga. If you are in the first category, you really want the Tenth Anniversary Concert. The TAC has the complete storyline (albeit slightly abridged), it was recorded live (so there’s an unique intensity and chemistry between performers), and from top to bottom it has by far the best cast. However, if you’re a serious Les Mis fan, you should buy this CD (in addition), simply because it does have the complete score. (The trouble with THAT is that it includes practically the only misstep in the whole script – if Jean Valjean has his number branded on his chest, then how is it credible that someone else will be convicted in his place?) I bought it for that reason and to hear other interpretations of the roles (in particular Andy Warlow’s). I have all 4 versions, and they have all have their pluses and minuses, but frankly, I’m glad I didn’t pay full price for this one. This version has a rather weak cast in general, but that does add to the fun arguing about it. On the plus side, it has Philip Quast ( THE BEST Javert, but he’s even better on the TAC), Michael Ball (THE BEST Marius, also on the OLC and TAC versions), and Andy Warlow (a stirring Enjorlas for sure, but not THAT much better than Michael Maguire on the OBC and TAC). The scenes at the barricade are the best part of the CD. Kaho Shimada is an uneven Eponine, OK sometimes, less so at others. Debbie Byrne (Fantine) is OK, but I don’t find her as moving as Patty LuPone (OLC) or Ruthie Henshaw (TAC). Tracy Shayne (Cosette) is irratating, not nearly as sweet as Judy Kuhn (OLB and TAC) or Rebecca Caine (OLC). I find Barry James and especially Gay Soper (M. and Mme. Thenardier) grating as well. I really miss Colm Wilkinson (OLC, OBC and TAC). OK, he has a unique singing style, but such heart. Not always perfect, but so powerful and emotional. All his solos and “Confrontation” just stop me dead in my tracks. The sweetness and purity of his “Bring Him Home” and “Epilogue” move me to tears. But really, there must be someone else who can do at least an adequate job or the show wouldn’t have run so long in so many venues. I am willing to listen to another interpretation, but not this one. This is the central role in the play, it really can’t survive without a good performance here. Gary Morris is horrible as Jean Valjean, cringe-provoking at times, merely weak at others. It’s not really his voice, it’s his acting (or lack thereof). Instead of powerful and tragic, he sounds petulant and whiney. He’s totally overmatched by Quast in “Confrontation” and by everyone in “One Day More” and “Epilogue”. I haven’t tried the recommendation of one reviewer of listening while squinting and shaking my head hard, but I don’t see how that will help. Morris’s “What have I done?”, “Bring Him Home” and &#822

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A Richer Sound Quality and a Deeper Valjean

Colm Wilkinson is famous for his roles as Jean Valjean (see, for example, the original cast recording), but I for one appreciate Gary Morris's turn in the title role on this disc for more. I did not see Gary Morris live -- for that, Randal Keith is my pick -- but Morris on this disk is wonderful.

The other main advantages of this version of Les Miz over others are (1) the depth of the sound quality and engineering... much richer and fuller ranged than the original cast recording, and (2) the fact that it includes the entire score.

And by the way, read the book if you haven't already! It's thought-provoking and heart-wrenching.

Alright, I'll say this once: NO, NO, NO!!!!!!

So, I'm sure that all of the fans of showtunes were so excited when they heard that a complete recording of "Les Miserables" was coming out. Most CDs were incomplete, so some songs couldn't be heard in the comfort of your own home. Still, all of the fans of Les Miz learned soon that just because it is complete does not make it very good. Almost every track I hear was befowled by the ear-splitting banshee, Colm Wilkinson impersonator known as Gary Morris. It is very nice to have all the songs, but it is too bad to pay $30 for. One good thing I found on this CD was that the excellent Philip Quast and Michael Ball are on this CD (but they were on the 10th Anniversary CD, so try to get that one instead). If you must own all the songs, by all means, buy it, but don't say I didn't warn you. If you can wait, I heard that a new CD is coming out with all the songs which is bound to be better than all of this trash. Just don't buy this (unless you must).

les exellent

It is an amazing CD. The orchestrations are beautiful as are the voices it is my favorite recording of these musical.

A reviewer

Gary Morris's voice gives me chills. I have seem Les Mis many times and have heard every version. Gary is my favorite. His voice portrays the emotion and grace we want to hear from val Jeans' character.

In one word...AMAZING!!!!!!

I received this soundtrack for my birthday, and after having it for just a few days, I love every song from Les Mis. This is the only Les Mis soundtrack I have heard, but I am convinced it is the best since the cast is a collection of performers from New York, Los Angeles, London, Sydney, and Tokyo productions. If you are looking to buy your first Les Mis soundtrack, I strongly suggest this one, since it contains every piece of music, making you feel like you're really seeing it come alive, especially thanks to the phenomenal cast!

This is the best

I love this album the best because it just shows the most emotion for all the singers. This produciton also had my favorite Eponine, and with Eponine being my favorite character in the show, this was the ultimate one for me!

The Best Recording Of This Play

I am a Les Miserables fan myself, and unfortunately only was able to see the play twice before it went off broadway. I have listened to the Original Broadway Cast Recording as well as the 10th Anniversary concert, and I find this recording the best by far. Philip Quast is especially outstanding on this CD. It is worth it.

Simply the Best

I have bought many CDs in my life, Rock, Country, Jazz, Rap...(kinda), scores to films(Van Helsing, Nightmare before Christmas), 80's, 70's, even 60's, 50's and 40's. Out of all of those albums the Most treasured is This superb recording of Les Miserables!

good

These people have the best voices

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.