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Godspell (1993 London Studio Cast) | 
 enlarge | Artist: Stephen Schwartz
Label: Jay Records
Category: Music
Buy New: $18.98
New (18) Used (6) from $7.49
Rating:  23 reviews
Sales Rank: 153305
Format: Cast Recording, Import
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
UPC: 605288124723
EAN: 0605288124723
ASIN: B000005BGX
Release Date: March 11, 1997
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Tracks:
| • | Prologue | | • | Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord | | • | Save the People | | • | Day by Day | | • | Learn Your Lessons Well/Bless the Lord | | • | All for the Best | | • | All Good Gifts | | • | Light of the World | | • | Turn Back Old Man | | • | Alas for You | | • | By My Side - Gordon, Peggy | | • | We Beseech Thee | | • | On the Willows | | • | Beautiful City | | • | Finale | | • | Bows |
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| Customer Reviews: Read 18 more reviews...
 Not that there's anything wrong with that... September 29, 2007
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
I think the album cover pretty much says it all. This must be the controversial rendition of Godspell where Jesus is gay (the singer sounds very effete). The original Off-Broadway soundtrack Godspell (1971 Original Off-Off-Broadway Cast) was more Gospel. The movie soundtrack Godspell: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack was more pop. The 2001 tour Godspell (2001 National Touring Cast) is more rock. This version is just kind of plain bad.
It sounds like an amateur version with bare instruments and questionable singing talent. "We Beseech Thee" is the only song that makes it out alive. The man singing Judas ("Prepare Ye", "All For The Best") sounds like Mongo the Monkey Boy. Which I suppose is to offset the loafer-light Jesus who sings "Beautiful City" to the effect of encouraging the listener to want to go and kill small puppies.
The only excuse I can think of for this miserable production is that someone want to record a London Cast edition. If this is the best London had to offer, it's a real shame. The album is more of an embarrassment to the Godspell tome, and should be avoided other than as a queer novelty.
 The Best GodSpell Ever! May 12, 2007
I have listened to this particular GodSpell production soundtrack for years. I recently lost mine and had to find another. The cover is different, but the music/voices are the same and I was thrilled. This cast is amazing and the music speaks to every emotion. The ragtime paced "All for the best" is one of my favorites, along with "We Beseech Thee", with it's speedy, prayerful plea. "Turn Back Old Man", featuring a woman singing out with all the flavor of Mae West at her finest, is another enjoyable tune in this production. By contrast,"On the Willows" always brings a tear to my eye with it's mournful beauty. I listen to this soundtrack year round, but especially at Easter. It's light, fun and for some reason, it makes me feel good about life. I highly recommend this soundtrack with the 1993 London Studio cast. I have listened to another version and it absolutely does not have the strength and joy of this cast's rendition.
Most authentic Godspell recording. January 9, 2006
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
Definitely a must-have for anyone mounting a production of Godspell; it includes all of the pertinent vocal music arranged mainly as received from the leasing company (MTI, in my case) -- most importantly, it contains "The Prologue" without any lyric changes as in subsequent editions. It doesn't take some of the wide diversions in the film soundtrack, and uses the twelve-voice cast as it was originally written. The few changes it does, in fact, make are easy to understand and work with. Godspell as it should be, simple and beautiful.
All Goods Gifts January 20, 2005
I love this version. Almost as much as I love the movie and the 1971 version. The main reason I love this alubm, is because of Paul Manual's version of All Good Gifts, my favorite Godspell song. Its not like Lamar Alford's overpowering version on the 1971 alubm, or Merrial Jackson's pop sound. Both are great, but this alubm's version has the best harmonies and just the right touch of sweetness, gives All Good Gifts a great sound. This alubm is much more complete, having the Prolouge, which has the actors singing individual sections, then they all sing them again at the same time, there must of been seven voices going at the same time. Some songs are a tad weaker, like Day By Day and Bless the Lord, but the whole alubm sounded the way Godspell should be. I would recommend this one over the newer techno versions, if like them buy them, but this is for people who love the orginal Godspell and Godspell in general
The original, for heaven's sake! October 16, 2004
8 out of 11 found this review helpful
No musical play has been so frequently revamped and reconstructed as Godspell. In a way, giving each new production of such a popular work as this a bit of a makeover is fair enough, but there is a really great little musical there to start with. If there wasn't, nobody would want to "do" it yet again in the first place!
This one is conducted by the composer - and uses his original arrangements. It is very well performed indeed. Perhaps there is just a little too much "reverence" for both the subject matter and the musical itself - but it is definitely the very reverse of "boring"!
If you are a real "Godspell freak" by all means collect other performances, and enjoy the different approaches that Schwartz's masterpiece has inspired - otherwise, asuming you want the real thing, this is the one to have.
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