- Audio CD (5 Oct 1998)
- Number of Discs: 2
- Format: Original recording remastered, Soundtrack
- Label: Polydor
- ASIN: B000006XI0
- Other Editions: Audio CD | Audio Cassette | MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 36,891 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Since its debut in 1981, London's and the world's longest-running musical still secures bums on seats in a dozen theatres worldwide. Uncountable recastings and re-orchestrations later, Lloyd Webber's adaption of T. S. Eliot's Old Possums Book of Cats strives to please the ears of ever new generations. This is the original cast recording, and it retains a freshness from the still recent opening, its novelty untarnished by decades of success. Also the abundance of "names"--both singers and musicians--makes this one of the high class musical recordings of all times. Elaine Paige rose to stardom as Grizabella with the hit "Memories"; at the time, though, bigger names were Wayne Sleep, Paul Nicholas and Brian Blessed. Sarah Brightman and Bonnie Langford are also on the cast list. Lloyd Webber himself plays keyboards and the impressive roster of session musicians includes Barbara Thompson and David Locke. Lloyd Webber, well versed in the practise of "auto-quotation", can always look back to this work for cat-chy material: the "Overture", "Old Gumbie Cat", "Rum Tum Tugger" and "Mr.Mistoffelees", the list of good tunes and themes goes on and on. This remains a fun listening experience, even for those few who still haven't caught the show. --Yngvil V.G.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
34 of 34 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Not because it's the best album in the world (let alone the best show in the world) but because, arriving as it did in 1981 and being the daddy of all Cats recordings, this is the only version with a single shred of originality. Obvious perhaps, seeing as it came first, but it's actually quite unique.
This is why:
It's the only album with sufficiently powerful orchestrations - listen to the Overture or the Jellicle Ball to see what I mean. At the same time there is shade and subtlety not found on other recordings.
It's the only album to feature the original, full length versions of Bustopher Jones, Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer, Old Deuteronomy, The Ballad of Billy McCaw and - most significantly - Memory, which was subsequently torn to bits for Broadway and other productions (sadly even London).
It's the only version to pull together such a mass of new and established talent - Bonnie Langford, Sarah Brightman, Jeff Shankley, Brian Blessed, Paul Nicholas, Wayne Sleep, Elaine Page.
Finally, it's the only version of the show which has an individual, un-sausage-moulded sound, be it orchestrations, musicianship, production, or vocal interpretations. Almost all other albums which followed are identical to each other, but this one stands out. The possible exception is the Broadway cast album, in which Betty Buckley tears Memory to shreds. Dreadful perhaps, but at least it's memorable!
Cats is supposed to be, and be about, magic, and this album has it.
This is why:
It's the only album with sufficiently powerful orchestrations - listen to the Overture or the Jellicle Ball to see what I mean. At the same time there is shade and subtlety not found on other recordings.
It's the only album to feature the original, full length versions of Bustopher Jones, Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer, Old Deuteronomy, The Ballad of Billy McCaw and - most significantly - Memory, which was subsequently torn to bits for Broadway and other productions (sadly even London).
It's the only version to pull together such a mass of new and established talent - Bonnie Langford, Sarah Brightman, Jeff Shankley, Brian Blessed, Paul Nicholas, Wayne Sleep, Elaine Page.
Finally, it's the only version of the show which has an individual, un-sausage-moulded sound, be it orchestrations, musicianship, production, or vocal interpretations. Almost all other albums which followed are identical to each other, but this one stands out. The possible exception is the Broadway cast album, in which Betty Buckley tears Memory to shreds. Dreadful perhaps, but at least it's memorable!
Cats is supposed to be, and be about, magic, and this album has it.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I love CATS. I love the musical, but like many people, I saw the video before buying the soundtrack, which I knew even at the time would let me down when hearing the original soundtrack. I was expecting the differences. But the difference was too much to be able to forgive to give this 5 stars. There was no 'Battle of the Pekes and the Pollicles', one of my favourite songs, and 'Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer' was very different. The newer version they came up with was much better. The original Munkustrap did not act through his voice like Michael Gruber did. This soundtrack was slightly unsatisfying after watching the video. I only have myself to blame. The booklet was a bit of a disappointment, yes it has the lyrics but the presentation looks cheap and has no design whatsoever, it doesnt even tell you which character is singing which part, you are left to guess that much. 'The Rum Tum Tugger' has no John Partridge in it, but its nice and entertaining all the same (I like the meows at the beginning but they werent in the original). Elaine Paige is there singing the famous Memory with conviction, accompanied by Sarah Brightman who plays Jemima with the most beautiful voice (an up on this version). I had never heard of Growl tiger before and I can't say I really like it. I think that I must of seen it to appreciate it. Despite all its drawbacks, this soundtrack is 'CATS' and there is no denying that, which makes it great. I give it four stars, because although very different to the video version, it still has the beautiful music by Webber and wonderful and humourous lyrics based on T. S. Eliots text. Ive also given it four because I know that I am biased towards the video version. Maybe if I listened to the soundtrack first then watched the video, I would complain about the videos version! The London version in my opinion is better than the Broadway version, so get this one and enjoy!
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Take no heed of anyone who calls any of this performance "stiff". I attended Cats in the preview week, back in 1981 and never since have I been so carried away by anything. This is a CD of fantastic music; a must for every dance, music, cat and poetry lover out there. I will not have this likened to the Broadway re-write. In my opinion CATS should have been left as it is, Despite some very "English" humour, especially the subtlety of Rum, Tum Tugger and the history of Victorian variety theatre conjured up by Gus. Everything Mistofflees of Singapore objected to, are what makes this the only CD of CATS that I would ever listen to. Buy it!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The Original and Best
Fabulous cast and great songs that you will be singing long after it ends. It's funny and moving, comic and clever in equal measure. Read more
Published 14 days ago by sam155
Very pleased indeed
Although there are some reviews of this CD that are critical, I am pleased with it : The original reprinted, including the booklet with the lirics plus some extra info. Read more
Published 17 days ago by Oandal
The Original And Best
I had despaired of replacing my well-worn vinyl edition of the London recording as only the Broadway version was available to me here in Canada. Amazon.co.uk to the rescue!
Published 7 months ago by Philip Reid
very good
very good communication, arrived within the delivery time and very prompt. Brillant to listen to and quick and easy to use either on a cd or on my computer to put onto my ipod.
Published 8 months ago by Katiecoo
The cut version re-issued yet again....
Given that it's now nearly 30 years since Cats was released, and the soundtrack album has been released on LP, Tape, and now 3 times on CD, you could be forgiven for thinking that... Read more
Published on 18 May 2010 by dk32
Cats the Musical CD
I purchsed this CD for my best friend who is mad about Cats the musical. I had already bought her the DVD version and thought this would complete the set for her. Read more
Published on 3 Jan 2010 by Charlotte Bronte
Great Musical
The CD of cats is exactly what you expect, a great soundtrack to a very fun musical. Sit back, relax and enjoy.
Published on 13 July 2009 by N. Massey
Very Disapointing
Having seen the show live and falling instantly in love with it I could not wait to buy the Ultimate DVD. Read more
Published on 9 May 2008 by Mrs. L. Best
Unless you're a hardened fan, don't bother...
If you're expecting another amazing classic from the genius who is Andrew Lloyd Webber, then you'll be sorely disappointed. Read more
Published on 2 April 2008 by Ms. D. M. Pinder
A wesk yet historically important CATS recording
Although this CATS recording is the grand-daddy of all that came after it, I find that there are times when it doesn't do justice to the musical. Read more
Published on 3 April 2007 by Yi-Peng
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