Original Broadway Cast Recording
Strengths: Includes all of the original music. Orchestra swings very well. "Joe Hardy" NOT played by Tab Hunter.
Weaknesses: Vocal performances by Gwen Verdon and Ray Walston a little flat compared to movie recording. Some great orchestral moments (dance sequences) are cut.
Movie Soundtrack
Strengths: Gwen and Ray give great, lively performances. Dance sequences are included in soundtrack, and they smoke.
Weaknesses: Tab Hunter. The component of the story regarding Joe's misery over being separated from his wife is virtually non-existent. "A Man Doesn't Know" and "Near To You" are not performed, and instead, a new song for the movie was written wherein Meg laments, after Joe has disappeared: "There's Something About An Empty Chair." Is there, Meg? Is there? Tab Hunter. Does not include "The Game," and some verses are cut out of other songs.
1994 Broadway Cast Recording
Strengths: The separation between Joe and Meg is portrayed in a much more realistic way (this part of the story IS the story.) Beautiful arrangements in the ballads, especially "Near To You." "Joe Hardy" NOT played by Tab Hunter. Includes a lot of dialogue.
Weaknesses: Some "over-arranging," especially in up-tempo numbers; can sound "Animaniac-esque."
To me, the best recording would be the original cast recording, substituting "A Little Brains, A Little Talent," "Whatever Lola Wants," and "Those Were The Good Old Days" with the movie recordings. And if one can put up with Tab in "Two Lost Souls," one can hear some great dance music that follows the vocals.
Comments