The Burt Bacharach Discussion Forum

Just read on the "Promises, Promises" website that today, May 10th, the cast from the current revival was in a Manhattan studio recording its "cast album." Sony is due to release the recording at an as yet undisclosed date. It will be interesting to see how this recording compares with the glorious 1968 one, and for me, I want to see if the studio will splurge and provide an expanded orchestra for the recording, as opposed to the trimmed down one being used for the revival. Here's hoping!

Interesting! And if this cast album doesn't include as many pieces in the orchestra as the original, then I would be very disappointed and consider it very "cheesy" indeed! I can't imagine that Burt would stand for it. I'm kind of surprised that Burt allowed this Broadway production to be done with a pared down orchestra, quite frankly. [I suppose he had no choice in the matter.]

It's long been common practice for cast recordings to "sweeten" the pit orchestra with additional strings; I'm hoping Sony follows suit for the new PROMISES album. Seeing as how Tunick's major reduction to his orchestration was in the string department, adding some of these parts back would go a long way.

Great news, and I'll be among the first in line to purchase the new recording. And while I share the "expanded orchestra" sentiments of my fellow posters, I just wanted to opine that the "pared down" orchestra now being used in the revival sounds far from insufficient or "thin." These are clearly top notch musicians doing a superb job, as far as I could discern. That said, hear's hoping that they spare no expense in producing the new record!

So glad you felt that way, Bill. While 18 musicians is in no way 30, Tunick did an exceptional, exceptional job with his new orchestrations. I can't see any Bacharach fan being disappointed by the sound of this revival, and I'm eagerly awaiting the recording!!

great new:

http://www.theatermania.com/broadway/ne ... 27305.html


Bye
Bob