The Scarlet Pimpernel: Encore! (1998 Broadway Revival Cast) [Cast Recording] [Extra tracks] [Cast Recording]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
After a "concept" CD and then an original cast album, this is the third recording of Frank Wildhorn's The Scarlet Pimpernel. What basically happened was that the show was faltering on Broadway, but a couple of deep-pocketed producers saw it, loved it, and decided to finance a revised version with a new director and new cast members (Rachel York replacing Christine Andreas and Rex Smith replacing Terrence Mann). This Encore CD mixes recordings by both casts and adds two bonus tracks (by Peabo Bryson and Wildhorn powerhouse Linda Eder) from the concept recording. The protracted history here may be as hard to follow as the show's plot, but then Pimpernel has always been about more than mere narrative subtleties. It's about bombast, showmanship, in-your-face theatrics, and a couple of power ballads. And it's all on this recording. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

The Scarlet Pimpernel: Encore! (1998 Broadway Revival Cast), Music, Frank Wildhorn, Nan Knighton, Musical, Pop, Show Tunes, Showtunes / B'way, Soundtrack, Traditional Pop, V/a Compilations

Average customer rating:

I love it, but for the wrong reasons...

V. DISAPPOINTED

If you have the OBC recording, this is NOT a must buy!

Very good, but dosen't live up to the OBC album

This CD made me a Scarlett Pimpernel Fan

The Scarlet Pimpernel: Encore! (1998 Broadway Revival Cast)
Frank Wildhorn , and Nan Knighton
Manufacturer: Atlantic / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
Contemporary Musicals | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B00002MZ29
Release Date: 1999-11-09

Tracks:

Overture
Storybook
Madame Guillotine
Prayer
Into The Fire
Falcon In The Dive
The Scarlet Pimpernel
When I Look At You
Where's The Girl?
When I Look At You
The Creation Of Man
Marguerite's Dilemma
The Riddle
Entr'Acte
They Seek Him Here
She Was There
Where's The Girl?
I'll Forget You
Into The Fire
You Are My Home - Peaho Bryson
Only Love - Linda Eder

Amazon.com

After a "concept" CD and then an original cast album, this is the third recording of Frank Wildhorn's The Scarlet Pimpernel. What basically happened was that the show was faltering on Broadway, but a couple of deep-pocketed producers saw it, loved it, and decided to finance a revised version with a new director and new cast members (Rachel York replacing Christine Andreas and Rex Smith replacing Terrence Mann). This Encore CD mixes recordings by both casts and adds two bonus tracks (by Peabo Bryson and Wildhorn powerhouse Linda Eder) from the concept recording. The protracted history here may be as hard to follow as the show's plot, but then Pimpernel has always been about more than mere narrative subtleties. It's about bombast, showmanship, in-your-face theatrics, and a couple of power ballads. And it's all on this recording. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews:

I love it, but for the wrong reasons..........2007-04-15

Am I the only one who finds the music corny, and COMPLETELY overdone? It's great to listen to, but it evokes laughter at the terrible lyrics and overacting. And anytime there is a Peabo Bryson love duet, you KNOW it's corny.

I can't appreciate the quality of the music, but I can appreciate how entertaining it is, which is why I give it 3 stars.

V. DISAPPOINTED.......2005-10-22

Okay, I'm sorry, but I was on a road trip with some friends, and we all were listening to soundtracks and singing along. Scarlet Pimpernel came up on the playlist and this was the only version in the car. I was soooooo disappointed. Not that anyone gives a bad performance on this album... I'm just used to the OBC version, which is 100x better! There's noone who can beat Terrance Mann. Doesn't matter how good the new guy is. And I love Christine Andreas as Marguerite! She's so passionate and strong! My absolute favorites from the OBC are not even on this album. It's a watered down version. DON'T BE FOOLED! BUY THE REAL THING!!!!

If you have the OBC recording, this is NOT a must buy!.......2005-06-07

You will miss out on Rachel York's fine display of Margueritte in the revised version of 'Storybook' and the new 'I'll Forget You,' but Rex Smith, although an outstanding performer, is not an outstanding replacement for the thunderous voice of Terrence Mann, and all the other songs, including Doug Sills's pieces, are the EXACT SAME recordings as on the original cast recording. I must backtrack and give Rex Smith a little more credit...He is awesome in 'Falcon in the Dive' and 'Where's the Girl?,' delivering a tremendous amount of emotional fire in his interpretations of the songs, without 'overdoing it.' But Rex is a soft and colorful tenor who cannot quite bring to life that 'evil, ex-lover' sort of character that T.Mann does with his rich baritone voice. But as I said, both men are absolutely remarkable at what they do! ...I wonder why the new cast leads (York and Smith) were not used in all of the songs...i.e.'When I Look at You,' 'The Riddle,' 'Where's the Girl-reprise.' Very beautiful music here and no songs nor performances are by any means less than average but it's too similar to the OBC version. If you are new to this musical, buy the original version!

Very good, but dosen't live up to the OBC album.......2005-03-12

This CD is good, but I liked the OBC recording better. I think they should have re-recorded more of the songs with the new cast, and recorded the other new songs that they added(like the new wedding song). Rachel York's "Storybook" is great, although I think they rushed through it a bit too fast. Her "I'll Forget You" is wonderful, full of emotion, although within the context of the story, I think "You Are My Home" from the OBC recording would have done a better job. The only part I don't like about it is when she sings "I hear you whisper to me in the dark, still..." she sings it much too fast, and it ruins the whole emotional effect. True, we gain it again a moment later, but still. Rex Smith dosen't have nearly as good a voice as Terrence Mann, but he puts more passion into his songs. Although I like TM's versions of "Falcon in the Dive" and "Where's the Girl" better, I love RS's versions as well, althought I think he yells too much in "Falcon in the Dive." Linda Eder's version of "Only Love" is good for people who like a more modern feel, although personally I don't think it is all that good. For people who don't have any SP album yet, the better one to get is definatley the OBC one, but this CD is certainly worth getting if you already have that one. :^)

-Lizzie Blakeney

This CD made me a Scarlett Pimpernel Fan.......2004-09-10

My friend gave me a ride in her car and she played this cd for me because a local community college was doing a production of The Scarlett Pimpernel. After hearing Douglas Sills' voice for about 30 seconds I fell in love. I went to see the college show and it instantly became my new favorite musical (and still is). I rushed home and purchased this CD from Amazon.

I do not own any of the other recordings from this musical but I can tell you that this one is amazing. I can't say enough about Douglas Sills. What an amazing guy! He plays the quintessential British swashbuckler and comedian at once. Apart from anytime Douglas Sills opens his mouth, my favorite song is Where's the Girl because of Rex Smith's deep and resonent voice. I'm not sure I would have been able to resist him like Marguerete does when he sings "Let the girl in your heart tumble free, bring your renegade heart home to me.."

Marguerete's songs are touching, beautifull, lively, sad, and serene all at once and I can't stop singing them. There isn't one bad song on this cd. The voices of the singers, the fantastic lyrics and music and the superb sound quality of the orchestra culminate to make this cd a masterpiece. By listening to it, I can imagine how wonderfull the broadway show must have been. I would give anything to have been able to see it on stage with Douglas Sills, but since it's no longer on Broadway, I'll have to be satisfied with wearing out this CD.

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