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Product Description
From Amazon.com
This recording captures the 1985 London cast that transformed an obscure French musical based on Victor Hugo's gargantuan novel of pre-Revolutionary France into a worldwide phenomenon throughout the late-1980s and '90s and became one of the best examples of the era's trend of blockbuster musical spectacles. Yes, Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schoenberg's score tends to recycle its themes, but its beautiful melodies and stirring anthems rarely fail to captivate and touch its audience. Colm Wilkinson is the heroic Valjean, Patti LuPone is the tragic Fantine, Michael Ball is the love-struck Marius, and Frances Ruffelle is the despondent Eponine, with Roger Allam (Javert), Alun Armstrong and Sue Jane Tanner (the Thénardiers), Rebecca Caine (older Cosette), and David Burt (Enjolras) filling out the excellent cast. Fans will want to take note that this recording includes some material that was revised when the show crossed the pond to Broadway--"Little People" was lost altogether, while the "Love Montage" was significantly rewritten. Les Misérables sounds especially vivid in its 1998 remastering, and a synopsis and full lyrics are included. --David Horiuchi
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
90 of 93 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I brought this CD about 6 months ago and I expected a whole score recording, except the CD is just a highlights album, and shows no sense of storyline what-so-ever. Any Les Mis fan may agree that the arrangement of this album doesn't do the show any justice.
However the performances given are excellent. Colm Wilkinson is brilliant as Valjean and Michael Ball give the character of Marius a well needed kick. Overall this album is fantastic but then again it's not too bad either, I've given it three stars only because I couldn't give 3 and 1/2. But this album is great for anybody just looking for the main songs of the show.
However the performances given are excellent. Colm Wilkinson is brilliant as Valjean and Michael Ball give the character of Marius a well needed kick. Overall this album is fantastic but then again it's not too bad either, I've given it three stars only because I couldn't give 3 and 1/2. But this album is great for anybody just looking for the main songs of the show.
57 of 59 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
If you've got to this page, then chances are you've heard of Les Miserables and if you're a wise person indeed then you will have gone to see it in London or on Broadway. This CD is the original cast recording and has excellent vocal work from household names Colm Wilkinson, Michael Ball and rather bizarrely Caroline Quentin of Men Behaving Badly fame.
This CD however is no replacement for seeing the musical live - it misses out pieces of linking material. This means that if you are listening to this as a substitute for seeing the musical, you may become confused by the jumpy plot. My recommendation to you is go and see the musical, then buy the CD and sing along all you like. A CD like this one can only give you the audio, and nothing your imagination can conjure up will be as good as visual feast that is the production in the flesh.
In summary - buy this if you've seen the musical. If you haven't - hold out until you have and it will be a much more worthwhile buy.
This CD however is no replacement for seeing the musical live - it misses out pieces of linking material. This means that if you are listening to this as a substitute for seeing the musical, you may become confused by the jumpy plot. My recommendation to you is go and see the musical, then buy the CD and sing along all you like. A CD like this one can only give you the audio, and nothing your imagination can conjure up will be as good as visual feast that is the production in the flesh.
In summary - buy this if you've seen the musical. If you haven't - hold out until you have and it will be a much more worthwhile buy.
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I have never seen the show but have always loved the song " I Dreamed a Dream" most recently bought to the fore by Susan Boyle. Little did I consider I was in for such a treat. The original London cast and some songs that I had never known the origin of but knew I would like in my collection.Typically " Bring him Home " sung here by Colm Wilkinson but probably more widely known for the Peter Corry rendidtion at the funeral of George Best. Michael Ball in the earlier part of his career, his voice as always crystal clear in this the orignal version of Empty Chairs at Empty Tables. Play it from cover to cover, or cherry pick the best bits, I have done both and love it all. If you love the musical theatre ( and even if you don't ) this was worth every penny as a double CD.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
AMAZING!
I brought this after seeing the West End show in London. Didn't want to buy a copy at the theatre as it was £22.50 and knew I could get it cheaper on Amazon. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Hellie
Les Miserables CD
This CD is brilliant anyone who loves Musicals it is a must to your collection. I have only actually seen the live show once but it it brilliant and if you have been lucky enough... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Chris
Les Mis magic
This is a wonderful recording.The show in its entirety, superbly performed and spine-tingling.You seem to be on-stage with them.Well worth the cost.
Published 3 months ago by Krys
excellent cd
Looked forward to getting the cd and it does not disaapoint. Have seen the musical 4 times and is brillient and the cd mais also. Well worth buying.
Published 3 months ago by Ms. Patricia A. Moffat
les mis
went to see les mis in 1988, just bought the cd of the original show. it's brillient have had it on in the car ever since. Read more
Published 5 months ago by susied
The Fantastic Glums!
What can I say, wonderful singing by tremendous singers. Brings back memories of seeing 'The Glums' way back when it first started.
Published 6 months ago by Gail O. Herbert
Les Miserables CD
The Cds arrived promptly. I played them immediately and was able to relive the pleasaurable expenerience which I enjoyed while watching a live performance some years ago. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Eddie
Les Miserables CD
Love the show and the songs - have seen it twice - love these cds as they have a little booklet with them that gives a short resume of the show and also gives all the words for the... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Jubre
Les Mis - original London Cast
There are many poor recordings of the great live show which do not do the performance justice.
This CD is by far the best of the recordings available. Read more
This CD is by far the best of the recordings available. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Norman
Just seems to be definitive with no vocal weaknesses.
No disrespect to Susan Boyle, but the singer doing 'I dreamed a dream' here, well, let's compare a cig to a cuban cigar shall we?
Published 10 months ago by E. Coolican
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