Top 4 Favorite Cast Recordings (right now)

It's no secret that I LOVE SHOWTUNES and listen to cast recordings regularly. It would take forever to rank my favorites of all time, but here are the ones I've been grooving to a lot lately.

4. "Next to Normal" (OBC)
I've been in love with N2N since I read the play and listened to the recording. What a powerful story. There are so many great songs in here, and I can sing along to many of them because they're in my range. I'm not a huge fan of Alice Ripley, but J. Robert Spencer is great and I LOVE LOVE LOVE Aaron Tveit. Watch this clip--Ripley, Spencer and Tveit at the Tony singing two of the most powerful numbers from the show:





3. Wicked (OBC)
Okay OF COURSE I love "Wicked." I've never seen the play or read the book, but I sort of know the story. I love both Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth, and sound so amazing in this recording. Check out Idina's amazing vocal in "Defying Gravity":



And then Kristin's comic genius in "Popular":



Norbert Leo Butz as Fyero is also amazing.



Fuck yeah!

2. Thoroughly Modern Millie (OBC)
Ignoring a few politically incorrect songs, some of the songs in here are some of my most favorite ever. I love the 20s, and this show captures that carefree spirit. Check out this number:



Sutton Foster is something else. She is so extraordinary. Her voice is impeccable. Listen to her solo number:



And, or course, GAVIN CREEL!!! Such a great voice. Watch this clip where he sings a high A, totally legit, making it seem so easy:



I am clearly obsessed with this show. Moving on...

"Hair" (OBC & revival cast)
I got the OBC over a year ago and have been obsessed with it ever since. Got the revival cast recording a few months ago, and I can't say which one I like more. The OBC has a really delicious 60s vibe which is perfect for the songs. Mine is remastered but it still retains that flavor, which I love. The new one has a different flavor to it without doing injustice to the message of the story and the songs. And of course, Gavin Creel....



If that wasn't perfection I don't know what is. Watch him now with Will Swenson who plays Berger:



I'm done gleeking out now.

I haven't updated in a while, haven't been rested enough to formulate any concrete thoughts. I just realized that instead of posting videos on Facebook where barely anybody cares, I should post them on my blog where really nobody cares. Well, if you're reading my blog you probably care about me, but do you also care about the things I care about?

Here are two Youtube videos I posted on Facebook most recently. This is the sexy Aaron Tveit singing "Along the Way" from Pasek and Paul's "Edges." I love the song. It's cute and funny at first, and is really moving in the end.



And here's my new obsession: Sutton Foster! This woman is just disarmingly charming. I wish the quality was better, but doesn't this capture how cute and talented she is?



That's it for now. More to come.