Andrew Lloyd Webber - Highlights from Cats (1989) [2016 SACD]

London's and the world's longest-running musical still fills seats in a dozen theaters worldwide. Uncountable recastings and reorchestrations later, Andrew Lloyd Webber's adaptation of T.S. Eliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical 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 time. Elaine Paige rose to stardom as Grizabella with the hit "Memory"; 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 practice 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.
Tracks:
01. Prologue: Jellicle Songs For Jellicle Cats
02. Solo Dance
03. The Old Gumbie Cat
04. The Rum Tum Tugger
05. Mungojerrie And Rumpelteazer
06. Old Deuteronomy
07. The Jellicle Ball
08. Grizabella: The Glamour Cat / Memory
09. Gus: The Theatre Cat
10. Skimbleshanks: The Railway Cat
11. Macavity: The Mystery Cat
12. Mr. Mistoffelees
13. Memory
14. The Journey To The Heavyside Layer
15. The Ad-Dressing Of Cats
Personnel:
Andrew Lloyd Webber
Cats Tribute Band
Gerkidan Shiki
Original Broadway Cast
Original Cast of Cats
The Ultimate Theatre Experience
Elaine Page
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