Search - Andrew Lloyd Webber, Christopher Hampton, Don Black :: Sunset Boulevard (Original Canadian Cast Recording)

Quite fantastic

R. K. Storey | Cleveland, OH | 05/28/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I purchased this version of the musical because it WASN'T the Patti Lupone or Glenn Close cast. . . and boy, am I glad I bought it. Rex Smith's fantastic voice and perfectly cynical delivery are a pleasure. His is the best rendition of "Sunset Boulevard" that I have heard yet. Diahann Carroll seems an odd choice, not so much because of her voice, but really because of who starred in silent movies back in the day. But since this is theater and not real life, it's really an inspired choice. Her voice may not be quite as strong as it used to be but she displays passion and vulnerability where appropriate. I also have a recording of the German version and have to say this one is preferrable. The German actress who plays Norma Desmond is much shriller than Ms. Carroll. The net effect is that she seems to be purely a lunatic, so you have a hard time believing that Joe Gillis likes her at all. Ms. Carroll, on the other hand, plays Norma as a lonely eccentric. As a result, her final scene is much more tragic."

The Greatest CD of All

Stephanie Fry | Fallbrook,CA USA | 05/30/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I feel that if you looking for somthing that is one of Andrew Loyd Webbers finest productions then you have come to the right place. This show has spectacular music and just mezmorizing words. This music has become a favorite among many of Webbers fans. This musical being on the heavier side as in the subject matter I feel that this is done well in that it keeps you going even up to the end. The quality of the sound is just wonderful and the people who perform it are just memorable. I will say that since this is not one of Webbers more popular shows but it did run on broadway for many years with astounding reviews when it was there. So if you are looking for something with great quality and style then look not further than Andrew Loyd Webbers "SUNSET BOULEVARD"."

A Gem

B. J. Miceli | Boston, MA United States | 08/17/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Having seen "SB" onstage 4 times, twice with Betty Buckley in London, once with Glenn Close in NY, and once with Petula Clark in London, I certainly qualify as a fan of the show and the score. I have also heard the Patti LuPone and Diahann Carroll cast albums. I am prepared to say that Ms. Carroll and Ms. Buckley are the best Normas I have heard. Sadly, Buckley only recorded the songs on a limited issue CD. Both of those ladies steer a course between mannered overacting combined with undersinging which does not do justice to the almost operatic demands of Norma's numbers (that would be Glenn Close who sounds like a baritone one minute and an almost inaudible high soprano the next with notthing in between) and flat, underacting combined with a powerful, colorful voice which sounds like a woman of 35, not 50plus (that would be Patti LuPone).



On this release, Ms. Carroll's voice is rich and colorful, her acting grand in the old fashioned manner, but never becoming caricarture (Glenn Close). She creates a proud woman, deluded, fearful, craving love, but full of defense mechanisms. That is Norma. She creates sympathy and that is what a great interpreter does even with the most unsympathetic character. I also love the multicultural casting. Diahann has always been a black woman who is an actress, not a black actress. That is the key to her wide appeal, not to mention her beauty and elegance which come across even on record. You really believe that this Norma was once the greatest beauty and star in Hollywood.



Rex Smith is also excellent, singing smoothly and with the virility that Norma lusts after.



This is the best realization of this wonderful score. Listen with fresh ears and you will feel as I do, I am sure."