There are several fine renderings of this exquisite musical available in various media - but this is absolutely the finest. This Sweeney scores in every dimension: acting, orchestration and, of course, vocals. If you're lucky enough to be reading this whilst the London production is still running: cut throats to get a ticket. The performances are improvably sublime across the board, with a revelatory turn from Michael Ball, superb support (in which John Bowe's breathtaking Judge Turpin is outstanding), a stunning set, beautiful playing from all concerned, instrumental, song and characterization and - above even all of these - Imelda Staunton's magnificent tragi-comic presentation of Mrs Lovett. Everyone involved sells every note, every syllable, every joke; and it's no wonder that Sondheim himself was so taken with the show - sheer perfection in the art of musical theatre. And if you can't get to the Adelphi: this disk will do very nicely, thank you. Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter did a fine job in the movie; Len Cariou and Angela Lansbury worked wonders with the 70s debut... but this version and the thankfully excellent recording packaged here are absolutely the best.
Track Listing:
1. Prelude/The Ballad of Sweeney Todd — Michael Ball, Cast [3:44]
2. No Place Like London — Luke Brady, Michael Ball, Gillian Kirkpatrick [5:35]
3. Worst Pies In London — Imelda Staunton [3:03]
4. My Friends/ The Ballad of Sweeney Todd — Michael Ball, Imelda Staunton, Cast [4:05]
5. Johanna — Luke Brady [1:58]
6. The Ballad of Sweeney Todd — Cast [:35]
7. Wait — Imelda Staunton [2:27]
8. Kiss Me — Lucy May Barker, Luke Brady [1:30]
9. Ladies in Their Sensitivities — Peter Polycarpou, John Bowe, Lucy May Barker, Luke Brady [3:49]
10. Pretty Women — John Bowe, Michael Ball, Luke Brady [4:32]
11. Epiphany — Michael Ball, Imelda Staunton [3:37]
12. A Little Priest — Imelda Staunton, Michael Ball [7:34]
13. God, That’s Good! — James McConville, Imelda Staunton, Michael Ball, Cast [6:27]
14. Johanna (Reprise) — Luke Brady, Michael Ball, Lucy May Barker, Gillian Kirkpatrick [5:56]
15. By the Sea — Imelda Staunton, Michael Ball [4:00]
16. Not While I’m Around — James McConville, Imelda Staunton [3:32]
17. Searching — Gillian Kirkpatrick, Michael Ball [1:03]
18. The Judge’s Return — Michael Ball, John Bowe [3:27]
19. Final Scene — Michael Ball, Imelda Staunton [4:11]
20. The Ballad of Sweeney Todd — Michael Ball, Imelda Staunton, Cast [3:12]
2. No Place Like London — Luke Brady, Michael Ball, Gillian Kirkpatrick [5:35]
3. Worst Pies In London — Imelda Staunton [3:03]
4. My Friends/ The Ballad of Sweeney Todd — Michael Ball, Imelda Staunton, Cast [4:05]
5. Johanna — Luke Brady [1:58]
6. The Ballad of Sweeney Todd — Cast [:35]
7. Wait — Imelda Staunton [2:27]
8. Kiss Me — Lucy May Barker, Luke Brady [1:30]
9. Ladies in Their Sensitivities — Peter Polycarpou, John Bowe, Lucy May Barker, Luke Brady [3:49]
10. Pretty Women — John Bowe, Michael Ball, Luke Brady [4:32]
11. Epiphany — Michael Ball, Imelda Staunton [3:37]
12. A Little Priest — Imelda Staunton, Michael Ball [7:34]
13. God, That’s Good! — James McConville, Imelda Staunton, Michael Ball, Cast [6:27]
14. Johanna (Reprise) — Luke Brady, Michael Ball, Lucy May Barker, Gillian Kirkpatrick [5:56]
15. By the Sea — Imelda Staunton, Michael Ball [4:00]
16. Not While I’m Around — James McConville, Imelda Staunton [3:32]
17. Searching — Gillian Kirkpatrick, Michael Ball [1:03]
18. The Judge’s Return — Michael Ball, John Bowe [3:27]
19. Final Scene — Michael Ball, Imelda Staunton [4:11]
20. The Ballad of Sweeney Todd — Michael Ball, Imelda Staunton, Cast [3:12]
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