Between this cast recording and the Original Broadway Cast Recording, I definitely prefer the latter recording because I feel that the role of The Beast here, when sung in a higher register by the tenors like Alasdair Harvey, sounds less tortured than when a baritone like Terrence Mann sings it on the Original Broadway Cast Recording (OBC).

However, I do prefer Julie-Alanah Brighten as Belle on this Original London Cast Recording (OLC) over  the OBC's Susan Egan. Brighten sings the role in a more demure and gentle manner while Egan plays Belle as a stronger individual. There isn't really a "correct" way to sing Belle's songs but I'm more partial to the interpretation by Brighten.

Also, the libretto on this cast recording features 8 colored pictures from the theater production, which is 8 more than what is on the libretto of the OBC.

The songs on both cast recordings are identical except this cast recording features one less song ("The Battle") than the OBC. Also, the orchestrations seem to sound weaker in this cast recording compared to the OBC.

 In all, I definitely prefer the OBC to this album but I do occasionally listen to this cast recording, if only to listen to Brighten's beautiful voice.

Reviewed on 22 June 2004

[ A more complete review of the music from Beauty And The Beast can be found at the review of the Original Broadway Cast Recording.]


Track Listings

1. Prologue (The Enchantress)
2. Belle
3. No Matter What
4. No Matter What (Reprise) / Wolf Chase
5. Me
6. Belle (Reprise)
7. Home
8. Home (Reprise)
9. Gaston
10. Gaston (Reprise)
11. How Long Must This Go On?
12. Be Our Guest
13. If I Can't Love Her
14. Entr'acte / Wolf Chase
15. Something There
16. Human Again
17. Maison des Lunes
18. Beauty and the Beast
19. If I Can't Love Her (Reprise)
20. The Mob Song
21. Transformation
22. Beauty and the Beast (Reprise)

(Libretto with lyrics is included)