609 posts
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Post by chernjam on Jul 14, 2021 3:44:57 GMT
So I've been in an ALW listening mode (with Cinderella being on the brain all week) and going internet searching, I found this listing for a 2 cd live recording of Whistle Down the Wind at the Palace Theatre - but haven't seen or found it anywhere else . Anyone seen this or can give a hint where I can purchase one? castalbums.org/recordings/Whistle-Down-the-Wind-2006-London-Revival-Cast/7345/ |
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Post by anita on Jul 14, 2021 8:52:11 GMT
Well I've got every ALW recording going & I 've never seen this.
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Post by steve10086 on Jul 14, 2021 9:03:47 GMT
I think I may have this. It’s not an officially released recording. The track numbers/breakdown is different to what I have, but the running length is the same. I’d just assumed it was a soundboard recording, but I guess it could be from the Palace, using the basement recording equipment.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 14, 2021 9:45:03 GMT
The image of the CD doesn't turn up anywhere in an image search: Google Images returns nothing; TinEye is smart enough to recognise the logo but only finds other recordings and posters. I expect you'll just have to hope it turns up on eBay.
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287 posts
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Post by singingbird on Jul 14, 2021 10:30:51 GMT
So I've been in an ALW listening mode (with Cinderella being on the brain all week) and going internet searching, I found this listing for a 2 cd live recording of Whistle Down the Wind at the Palace Theatre - but haven't seen or found it anywhere else . Anyone seen this or can give a hint where I can purchase one? castalbums.org/recordings/Whistle-Down-the-Wind-2006-London-Revival-Cast/7345/So interesting. I have never seen mention of this before. I know Kenwright has been in the habit of producing limited edition recordings of shows he's produced - I lost count of the number of Joseph recordings he has issued over the years (one of which, I believe, is the only place you'll find I Don't Think I'm Wanted Back At Home, originally written for the short-lived Joseph 'prequel' Jacob's Journey and briefly interpolated into the Joseph score). This production of Whistle wasn't very good and did the show a real disservice. I never understood why they cut Charlie Christmas/Annie Christmas (which is probably the best - and certainly the most interesting - thing in the score) and replaced it with the anodyne song The Gang. I guess this recording was never meant for release, but someone leaked it at some point. |
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Post by musicalmarge on Jul 18, 2021 9:13:37 GMT
Actually this production of Whistle has better reviews than the original. It was a more streamlined heartfelt story and despite a cheaper set and musical changes (made by Andrew, Bill and MD David Steadman) it had more raw emotions and was a better show for this. Less hydraulics and more story. Some great ALW tunes too - musically smart and less
plonky honky tonk Stephen Ward/Cinderella.
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Post by max on Jul 18, 2021 20:46:14 GMT
So I've been in an ALW listening mode (with Cinderella being on the brain all week) and going internet searching, I found this listing for a 2 cd live recording of Whistle Down the Wind at the Palace Theatre - but haven't seen or found it anywhere else . Anyone seen this or can give a hint where I can purchase one? castalbums.org/recordings/Whistle-Down-the-Wind-2006-London-Revival-Cast/7345/So interesting. I have never seen mention of this before. I know Kenwright has been in the habit of producing limited edition recordings of shows he's produced - I lost count of the number of Joseph recordings he has issued over the years (one of which, I believe, is the only place you'll find I Don't Think I'm Wanted Back At Home, originally written for the short-lived Joseph 'prequel' Jacob's Journey and briefly interpolated into the Joseph score). This production of Whistle wasn't very good and did the show a real disservice. I never understood why they cut Charlie Christmas/Annie Christmas (which is probably the best - and certainly the most interesting - thing in the score) and replaced it with the anodyne song The Gang. I guess this recording was never meant for release, but someone leaked it at some point. I felt it was weak too. From a very early moment when 3 or 4 cast members joined to move their arms in the motion of a bird's wings it seemed obvious and dated to me. The direction hit certain stage pictures/stances (one per song) and then the characters were stuck there; not really the acting through song that it desperately needs, particularly as it is so song-to-song with not much connecting material. if I saw it today I'd say 'ah, they had to do it that way for Covid distancing' - the physical/visceral was missing. I love Charlie Christmas/Annie Christmas - a certain Kurt Weill/Brecht nod there (Pirate Jenny) - there's a great version of it on YouTube from the 54 Below concert version. Lord, why would you cut that? I liked Gale Edwards original London production; and of the bootleg YouTube videos of the Hal Prince version the ensemble oneness in 'Vaults Of Heaven' (incorporating a baptism) I find fantastic. Such a difference when there's a director with ideas, and a sinuous ability to interpret music into action. It has its flaws, but overall there are so many great songs; and small motifs like 'Home By Now' (blown up into a full track for Meatloaf) genuinely evoke that 'playing out' feeling of childhood. |
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609 posts
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Post by chernjam on Jul 19, 2021 2:16:48 GMT
So interesting. I have never seen mention of this before. I know Kenwright has been in the habit of producing limited edition recordings of shows he's produced - I lost count of the number of Joseph recordings he has issued over the years (one of which, I believe, is the only place you'll find I Don't Think I'm Wanted Back At Home, originally written for the short-lived Joseph 'prequel' Jacob's Journey and briefly interpolated into the Joseph score). This production of Whistle wasn't very good and did the show a real disservice. I never understood why they cut Charlie Christmas/Annie Christmas (which is probably the best - and certainly the most interesting - thing in the score) and replaced it with the anodyne song The Gang. I guess this recording was never meant for release, but someone leaked it at some point. I felt it was weak too. From a very early moment when 3 or 4 cast members joined to move their arms in the motion of a bird's wings it seemed obvious and dated to me. The direction hit certain stage pictures/stances (one per song) and then the characters were stuck there; not really the acting through song that it desperately needs, particularly as it is so song-to-song with not much connecting material. if I saw it today I'd say 'ah, they had to do it that way for Covid distancing' - the physical/visceral was missing. I love Charlie Christmas/Annie Christmas - a certain Kurt Weill/Brecht nod there (Pirate Jenny) - there's a great version of it on YouTube from the 54 Below concert version. Lord, why would you cut that? I liked Gale Edwards original London production; and of the bootleg YouTube videos of the Hal Prince version the ensemble oneness in 'Vaults Of Heaven' (incorporating a baptism) I find fantastic. Such a difference when there's a director with ideas, and a sinuous ability to interpret music into action. It has its flaws, but overall there are so many great songs; and small motifs like 'Home By Now' (blown up into a full track for Meatloaf) genuinely evoke that 'playing out' feeling of childhood. Thanks for that feedback Max - of all ALW's works, Whistle I find one of the most frustrating. I remember being in grad school and listening to him on a NY Morning radio station previewing the 7 minute demo of "A Kiss is a Terrible Thing to Waste" and recording the whole interview (had the cassette for ages and of course I can't find it now) before the Washington DC out of town tryout. This was not long before Sunset's demise, but at that point he still seemed unstoppable. Anyway, I was so excited that the Marquee was already up in NYC the box office would be opening soon and listening to that song I couldn't wait. A new ALW Musical, working with Steinman, the story sounded fascinating and yes - with Hal Prince at the helm I was sure this was going to be huge. That's why I didn't take the 4 hour trip to DC thinking, why bother it will be here soon enough. And now 25 years later, it's never made it to broadway. Was able to watch the Hal Prince bootleg as well and it definitely felt grittier and that there was a lot more potential there. I remember reading an interview where ALW waxes on that in hindsight he kind of wished they had been able to continue working on it (I think Prince was working on another show at the same time which was part of the reason for the cancellation) In any event- what's so frustrating is that the score is really one of ALW's finest, there's a great story there that it just needs the right directorial vision to help bring it to life. Surprised no one else has taken a shot at this |
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Post by singingbird on Jul 19, 2021 9:42:33 GMT
I agree with all the comments on this. I'm actually really grateful that it's possible to watch the Hal Prince version online. I think the Gale Edwards version managed to get the flow of energy on the show much better than in the Prince version, but I also get the feeling that the Prince version feels much more like a workshop and they were still planning on working on it.
I think Whistle is ALW's last really great score and very much in the vein of his most acclaimed pieces. It's never had the attention it deserves.
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Post by musicalmarge on Jul 19, 2021 10:00:20 GMT
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Post by singingbird on Jul 19, 2021 10:07:26 GMT
No idea! I'd love to hear it, too! |
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Post by chernjam on Jul 19, 2021 21:48:41 GMT
Coming full circle on this thread  Surprised that if this has been released that somehow it hasn't popped up on Youtube or something. Heck I heard a "live recording" of cinderella on there the other night |
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