Guys & Dolls

Nothing can ever top the original cast album but this one has the advantage of modern sound showing the complete orchestration off wonderfully.

Hands down, best (and most complete) recording of this timeless musical. Full-blown original orchestrations played by a full-blown orchestra, excellent vocal performances with top-drawer vocal characterizations (not like the campy caricatures presented in the most recent Broadway revival). Excellent musical direction which pays ultimate respect to the genius of the composer-lyricist Frank Loesser. If you own only one recording of this masterpiece, let it be this one.

This is certainly the definitive recording of Mr. Loesser's music. It is likely the most complete recorded version we have. I personally prefer the more modernly orchestrated 1992 Cast Recording, but this is definitely the most accurate.There are a few performances that (in my opinion) are not the best we've heard. Stubby Kaye is still the best Nicely-Nicely. Nathan Lane was a great Nathan Detroit. This album shines though with Emily Loesser's fantastic performance as Sarah. She sings the role as if she was born to do so - it easy for her. Every song she sings is a highlight, and I often end up getting just a bit excited if I know one of her songs is queued up.All in all this particular album is good. Ms. Loesser is the highlight, and undoubtedly the accuracy of the music will prove useful to those producing the show in theatres (the 1992 Cast Recording is good, but don't get used to it, directors!). It is certainly worth owning.

Guys and Dolls (1995 Studio Cast) (First Complete Recording) is the first complete recording and features the 1995 studio cast on this 1996 Jay Productions recording. The booklet contains photographs of the performers from the time of the recording, a short synopsis, music notes and short biography of the composer. A very light and fun musical that I very much enjoyed. Highly recommended. 5/5.

I love this musical, and have always lamented (no pun intended) the fact that half of Loesser's music rarely ends up on Cast Recordings. This studio recording rectifies all of these discrepencies and provides us with some truly unique and memorable audio performances; there are even a few bonus tracks for the history buffs in the crowd. But for me, the true reason to buy this CD is to hear the full score and the full orchestrations of Runyonland, Havana and the Crap Shooters Dance. As a director who stages a lot of musicals and who has performed the role of Nicely-Nicely Johnson six times to date I can tell you that this CD is a real asset for show preparation as well as pure enjoyment. If you're a stickler for consistent accents you may be disappointed at times with some of the vocals, but it ain't for lack of tryin'. These artists are first rate and, though sometimes miscast, in my humble opinion, the effort and the artistry is still there without a doubt. I'm sure that the late Frank Loesser must be smiling broadly to know that his entire creation is completely captured once and for all for us to enjoy. And I'm sure that Frank wouldn't be too unhappy that Emily Loesser stars in the piece, either! Buy it and enjoy!

Guys and Dolls has been very well served on CD. This recording on Jay Records is a diamond in the rough. Several years ago there was a Broadway revival starring Nathan Lane and Peter Gallagher. From that wonderful production came a great CD, which every fan of this musical should own. The subject of this review is a studio recording made in 1995. It is in everyway just as outstanding a CD as the Broadway revival recording. In it are Kim Criswell as Adelaide, and Emily Loesser (Frank's daughter) as Sister Sarah. Both sing their roles with idiomatic charm. An added bonus to this very complete (2 CD) recording are new renditions of some tunes found only in the movie (starring Frank Sinatra and Marlon Brando), including "A Woman in Love". It bears repeating, grab this recording before it goes out of print. I promise buyers will be delighted with this gem.

This is probably the best recording of this show I have heard. The singers are great and Sarah is good. The singer has trouble in a few spots but overall still performs Sarah better than the other recordings I have. The orchestra on this CD is absolutely incredible. They have a hot, tight sound and make the show come alive! An interesting point about this CD is that the music is obviously extended since a lot of the music doesn't appear in the original score. There is a song called "Pet me papa, Papa pet me now" that is excellent. I don't think you will be disappointed in this CD set at all!

Listen, and you are bound to be humming this play all day long."pet me poppa, poppa pet me goood,"