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Evita (1978 Original Broadway Cast) | 
enlarge | Artists: Andrew Lloyd Webber, Tim Rice, Patti Lupone, Mandy Patinkin Label: Decca U.S. Category: Music
List Price: $35.98 Buy New: $32.49 You Save: $3.49 (10%)
New (32) Used (21) Collectible (2) from $11.97
Rating: 100 reviews Sales Rank: 3733
Format: Cast Recording Media: Audio CD Discs: 2 Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5 Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.9
MPN: 11007 UPC: 076731010724 EAN: 0076731010724 ASIN: B000002ORP
Release Date: October 25, 1990 Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Tracks:
Disc 1
| • | A Cinema in Buenos Aires, 26 July 1952 | | • | Requiem for Evita/Oh What a Circus | | • | On This Night of a Thousand Stars/Eva and Macaldi/Eva Beware of the C | | • | Buenos Aires | | • | Goodnight and Thank You - Rice, Tim | | • | The Art of the Possible | | • | Charity Concert/I'd Be Surprisingly Good for You | | • | Another Suitcase in Another Hall | | • | Peron's Latest Flame | | • | A New Argentina |
Disc 2
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com essential recording Evita was Andrew Lloyd Webber's last show with Tim Rice before he went on to projects with less interesting collaborators, so it's no surprise that it remains his most consistently involving and rewarding work. Loosely based on the life of Eva Peron, the charismatic wife of post-World War II Argentine president Juan Peron, Rice's compelling story of one woman's rise from poverty to power is complemented by Lloyd Webber's colorful music as propelled by vigorous Latin rhythms. The showstopper, of course, is "Don't Cry for Me, Argentina," but the score is full of gems, including "On This Night of a Thousand Stars," "Oh, What a Circus," and "Another Suitcase in Another Hall." Headlining the 1978 Broadway cast, Patti LuPone is fabulous in the title role, showcasing her big voice and brash egotism in the role she was born to play. Mandy Patinkin is Che, the Greek-chorus character commenting on and criticizing the Perons, and his tenor is sweet on the ballads and powerful on the driving numbers. LuPone and Patinkin made their names with Evita (and took home well-deserved Tonys), but it's the third principal, Bob Gunton, who elevates this cast to the stratosphere. As Peron--a role often filled by a nonsinger--Gunton inflects his strong voice with both menace and sensitivity. Forget the movie; this is the definitive version of this score, and an essential cast recording. --David Horiuchi
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| Customer Reviews: Read 95 more reviews...
One of the greatest Broadway cast albums of all time. October 19, 2008 Andrew Lloyd Webber's masterpiece, "Evita", is without a doubt one of the greatest musicals of all time. Loosely based on the life of Eva Peron (via the slanderous 1952 "biography" by Mary Main), "Evita" tells the story of Eva's unscrupulous rise to fame and glory - becoming spiritual leader of the nation of Argentina under the seemingly dictatorial presidency of her husband, Juan Domingo Peron. The musical is told from the perspective of Che Guevara (though the specificity and historical accuracy of this claim has been disputed - most prefer simply "Che"), a cynical anti-Peronist bent on exposing the corrupt underbelly of the Peronist regime and unmasking Eva's unsavory character amid the "circus" of mourning following her death.
In keeping with the musical's textual source and Che's narratorial disdain, this original Broadway cast album with Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin is the definitive recording of the show. The juggernaut of the Peronist movement is urgent, corrupt, and violent while LuPone's Eva is unrelenting - with a voice that is both spine-tingling in its intensity and heart-breaking in its moments of desperation and despair.
The recordings that would follow - culminating in the 1996 film version starring Madonna - would attempt to alter the textual origins, softening Eva's character and emphasizing the "Santa Evita" aspect of her myth. In my humble opinion, these changes weaken the story, detracting from the underlying tale of a woman's destruction - becoming a victim of not only her illness, but of her own pride and guilt over her actions. I walk away from this recording uneasy, profoundly moved, and almost fearful. "Evita" is a tragedy - more like an opera in execution than a musical, really - and this 1978 Original Broadway Cast Recording is the most complete representation of the show as it was originally intended. In short, this cast album is perfection and a definite must-own for any lover of musical theater.
I Love Evita! September 8, 2008 This is an abridged version of my review for Evita: An Opera Based On The Life Story Of Eva Peron 1919-1952 (1976 Studio Cast).
Evita is my favorite musical (although due to my age and location I have never seen it live) and I must say that this and the Concept Cast (linked above) are my two favorite recordings of Evita available. If you are going to purchase a recording, get either of these. DO NOT GET THE MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK! I can barely stand to watch the movie because Madonna and Banderas are not good- the score is lowered so much due to Madonna's limited range (although I do like Madonna dong her own music) that its unlistenable.
Mandy Patinkin and Patti LuPone are very good. Mandy's sweet voice is perfect on songs like "Oh What A Circus," "High Flying, Adored," and "And The Money Kept Rolling In." And, Patti LuPone rivals Julie Covington as the best Eva. Her belts in "A New Argentina" and "Rainbow High" are unrivaled.
The upsetting thing about this recording is that some of my favorite lines from the Concept Cast Recording were cut. For example, I miss the line "and trample their rotten values into the ground" from the "Screw the middle classes" part because I think it helped to show Eva's hatred for all that the middle class stood for. I also miss the "You're obviously going through some adolescent phase. Maybe you got something more than just a pretty face. MAYBE NOT!" lines from "Another Suitcase In Another Hall." But, overall, this is certainly a more polished version than the earlier one.
I would recommend that you get both casts and make a compilation CD of the best versions from each, as I did, although your tastes may be different:
Requiem For Evita/Oh What A Circus- Mandy, Patti On This Night Of A Thousand Stars/Eva And Magaldi/Eva Beware Of The City- Julie, Colm Buenos Aire- Julie Goodnight And Thank You- Mandy, Patti The Lady's Got Potential- Antonio Banderas Charity Concert/I'd Be Surprisingly Good For You- Mandy, Patti Another Suitcase In Another Hall- Julie, Barbara A New Argentina- Mandy, Patti Don't Cry For Me Argentina-Julie, although I'd also recommend Sarah Brightman's and Elaine Paige's versions. High Flying, Adored- Mandy, Patti Rainbow High- Patti, although Elaine Paige is also good on this number Rainbow Tour- Julie, Colm The Actess Hasn't Learned The Lines (You'd Like To Hear)- Patti And The Money Kept Rolling In (And Out)- Mandy, although Matt Rawle from 2006 London Cast is also good on this track) Waltz For Evita And Che- Julie, Colm, although Matt Rawle and Elena Roger are also good on this one You Must Love Me- Madonna Eva's Final Broadcast- Mandy, Patti
Stupendous August 22, 2008 Evita needs a new review like a hole in the head, so forgive the indulgence. Always will be the greatest CD presentation of the Rice/Webber masterpiece. Why Lloyd Webber has felt it needed the bastardisation of its more recent incarnations?.. I will never understand.
Damien Slattery
evita June 9, 2008 Package came only with cd#1 out of a 2 cd set. otherwise would have been 5 stars.
Disappointed in sound quality December 28, 2007 0 out of 1 found this review helpful
This seems like a very old recording and the sound quality was way below my expectations. I would not suggest buying this if you are looking for a wonderful recording of this fabulous (my favorite of all times) play.
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