CD-Charts Position 1
Average Rating:

West Side Story (1957 Original Broadway Cast)

by: Carol Lawrence, Larry Kert, Chita Rivera

Release Date September 15, 1998
This an absolutely fantastic cast recording. No other recording even comes close. Usually some revival cast recordings bring something new and we sometimes even prefer the revival recording but of all the hundreds of cast recordings I own, there is absolutely nothing that tops this album. It is absolutely timeless and a master work. And for the price offered here on Amazon, there is no better deal in town.

Treat yourself to what I think is the absolute BEST Broadway show ever performed by the most talented people in theatre. This was so innovative and different from what we normally saw that it will touch your heart so many times over while even listening to it one time. I can't go too long without listening to this wonderful ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 2
Average Rating:

Bye Bye Birdie (1960 Original Broadway Cast)

by: Lee Adams

Release Date May 30, 2000
Bye Bye Birdie (1960 Original Broadway Cast) Many of the classic Broadway musicals of mid-20th century are available as both movie soundtracks and as Broadway cast albums. Though all are enjoyable, the cast albums sound more natural, more enthusiastic, and more spontaneous than the (later) movie soundtracks. Probably that is because the cast albums were recorded shortly after the show opened on Broadway. The original cast album of "Bye Bye Birdie" is in this category. And there is more background about the musical. The excellent and lengthy liner notes recount the story of how the musical was written and developed into the evergreen musical that it became.

CD-Charts Position 3
Average Rating:

The Best of Broadway - The American Musical (PBS Series)

from: Decca Broadway

Release Date October 05, 2004
The range of songs chosen for this compilation is awesome. Just what I was looking for.

CD-Charts Position 4
Average Rating:

Chicago - A Musical Vaudeville (1975 Original Broadway Cast)

by: John Kander, Fred Ebb, Gwen Verdon, Chita Rivera

Release Date November 12, 1996
A great classic, no doubt about it. Most of the songs are wonderful and very catchy. Be careful because there are three versions (a revival and the movie soundtrack); however, this is the classical one and the very best. The movie version left out the song CLASS, which is one of tne most beautiful ones and, obviously, is not in the movie soundtrack.
A real MUST for musical collectors.

CD-Charts Position 5
Average Rating:

Broadway - The American Musical (PBS Series)

from: Sony

Release Date October 19, 2004
Of course there should have been much more. I remember there been a Metropolian Opera series called CAST ALBUMS- 100 YEARS that was put out for a limited time only and had like five volumes.
As Peter Filichia noted they left out SHE LOVES ME, BRIGADOON and SWEENEY TODD. Also nothing from PACIFIC OVERTURES, BIG RIVER, CHESS, CRAZY FOR YOU, JEKYLL & HYDE, TITANIC, THE SCARLET
PIMPERNEL, FOOTLOOSE- THE MUSICAL, THE FULL MONTY, URINTOWN...
But they couldn't have put it all. I would have done without Lee Remick's
"Anyone Can Whistle", because the show was a flop. I guess because it was Sondheim's first "serious" show...

CD-Charts Position 6
Average Rating:

Nine - The Musical (2003 Broadway Revival Cast)

by: Maury Yeston, Antonio Banderas, Chita Rivera, Jane Krakowski, Laura Benanti

Release Date June 17, 2003
I'll admit I wasn't a fan of the original, but this revival has won me over. And now I really like both cast albums.
The revival cast is just as good as the original, Banderas well cast as Guido. I prefer Chita Rivera over Lilliane Montevecchi on Follies Bergere,(could never understand what the hell she was singing!) And while Jane Krakowski is not exactly the (sadly) late Anita Morris, she is sexy in a different way and it works. I love Mary Stuart Masterson, who knew she was such a terrific singer?
The whole CD is beautifully done!

CD-Charts Position 7
Average Rating:

A Total Embrace: The Composer

from: Sony

Release Date September 09, 2003
I'll admit I wasn't a fan of the original, but this revival has won me over. And now I really like both cast albums.
The revival cast is just as good as the original, Banderas well cast as Guido. I prefer Chita Rivera over Lilliane Montevecchi on Follies Bergere,(could never understand what the hell she was singing!) And while Jane Krakowski is not exactly the (sadly) late Anita Morris, she is sexy in a different way and it works. I love Mary Stuart Masterson, who knew she was such a terrific singer?
The whole CD is beautifully done!

CD-Charts Position 8
Average Rating:

Bajour (1964 Original Broadway Cast)

from: Sony

Release Date October 05, 1993
How bad is it,they ask. Not as bad as you'd think; though "Bajour" has bland,and even horrid aspects, it's still good often enough to remind you why its stars are so highly admired. If you were wondering,you may as well give it a go.
Songwriter Walter Marks had the chops,showed them again a few years later in the wildly tacky,glossy-professional "Golden Rainbow"("I've Gotta Be Me"). Whatever happened to him?
Anyway,you'll laugh at least sometimes during "Bajour" -- it's got glee,that's for sure.

CD-Charts Position 9
Average Rating:

Legends of Broadway

by: Chita Rivera

Release Date December 26, 2006
How bad is it,they ask. Not as bad as you'd think; though "Bajour" has bland,and even horrid aspects, it's still good often enough to remind you why its stars are so highly admired. If you were wondering,you may as well give it a go.
Songwriter Walter Marks had the chops,showed them again a few years later in the wildly tacky,glossy-professional "Golden Rainbow"("I've Gotta Be Me"). Whatever happened to him?
Anyway,you'll laugh at least sometimes during "Bajour" -- it's got glee,that's for sure.

CD-Charts Position 10
Average Rating:

Sweet Charity (1969 Film Soundtrack)

by: Cy Coleman, Shirley MacLaine, Sammy Davis Jr.

Release Date August 26, 2003
This Movie made a real impression on me as a youth. However all I could ever remember were the songs and dance numbers. As i got older, I found out that there was a very good reason for this. The Movie was just OK,
but the song and dance numbers were amazing. This score for the film has not been available on CD for quite some time, but the new mastering and packaging are really terrific. Highlight are "Hey Big Spender" and "The
Rhythm of Life". Very very late 60'ies. Worth every cent.