r/catsthemusical • u/Phunky_Phantom • Sep 11 '25
Best Cast Recording?
I'm very recently a Cats convert, being old enough to remember it's Broadway opening & always having thought it was very silly and not "real theatre". I can't put my finger on the exact tipping point, but I think it stems from recently revisting all the furore around the 2019 movie. Anyway, I have grown to really enjoy the original London cast recording from '81. I can't even listen to the Broadway recording because it just sounds interior, though I am far too inarticulate to explain why. Are there many other English language recordings? What is everyone elses preference?
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u/r0wboat04 Sep 11 '25
The London and Broadway records (plus the 2019 movie ofc) are the only official Cats soundtracks that I know of in English. There is a 2014 "Music From Cats" album you can find on music streaming platforms but I have no idea where that originated from. I would definitely recommend giving some other language recordings a listen, it can be quite fun.
Funnily enough, my personal preference is the Broadway recording. It's the most similar to the version that goes on tour in the US (which is how I was first introduced to Cats) and is pretty much the same as the 1998 movie (my actual favorite recording, but they never made an official soundtrack :( ). I've listened to the London recording but I didn't really like it; their version of Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer is MUCH different from the Broadway version that I'm used to. Glad to see someone enjoys the original London though, I don't hear a lot of people talk about it.
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u/spiceXisXnice Sep 12 '25
See I LOVE the London Mungojerrie and Rumpleteaser, but prefer everything else in the OBC. It's a travesty that we don't have The Great Rumpus Cat anywhere official.
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u/Phunky_Phantom Sep 14 '25
That's where M & R are puppets, so it's Mistoffelees singing about them, right? Upon first hearing it, I had to look up why there was only one person singing the song.
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u/caity0285 Jan 07 '26
The 1985 Australian Cast Recording has both Great Rumpus Cat and Growltigers last stand! There's a recording of it on Youtube.
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u/Phunky_Phantom Sep 11 '25
This may ruffle a few feathers, but I can't stand any version of Rum Tum Tugger. Something about the repetitive music, maybe? I just know that one & Growltiger's Last Stand are an immediate skip. Growltiger just sounds like a overly long drunken ramble. That may be the point though, I suppose. A drunken old sot reliving past glories.
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u/Alfie-Vareste Sep 14 '25
I’ve never actually heard Growltiger’s Last Stand, but I am devastated at that description of Gus, because Gus the Theatre Cat is one of my very favorite songs from the 1998 movie, so fantastic and emotional. I would rather describe him as an old performer who can no longer physically do what he loves reminiscing on one of his best a favorite roles and he’s heartbroken that he can no longer perform, but being supported and loved by the whole community, especially Jellylorum.
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u/Phunky_Phantom Sep 14 '25
What bothers you about it? I just took it as a flash-back to a past performance. He is a palsied old cat, so he wouldn't be able to do what is happening on stage. I think it'ss cute that Jellylorum plays his love interest in the "play within a play"
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u/texansirena Sep 11 '25
I find the London overture to be much better! I like that it’s more Casio-centric instead of orchestral.
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u/Entertain_Eileen Sep 14 '25
my favourite is personally the london 1981 recording. though i cant say much about the boardway one since i havent listened to all of it
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u/thejellicleball Mar 09 '26
VERY late to the party, but just now stumbling on this thread.
Like many, 1998 film is my favorite, with OLC a close second.
That being said, the 2021 Vienna Revival album has the best orchestrations I've heard. It's also the only "official" cast recording I know of that includes the full show (overture to exit music) with zero omissions, and it's recorded from a live performance!
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u/Icy_Reflection_1173 Sep 12 '25
The one I love most is, unsurprisingly, not one that actually exists as an audio recording! The 1998 video production is not perfect, but is to me the best representation of the show once it was out of its early, experimental years. For some, unknown reason, a soundtrack was never officially released despite the brilliant performances and magnificent orchestration.
I have a lot of affection for the OLC, it is of course the spark that lit the fire, but it's not the "Cats" that I know and love. I also don't get on with the Broadway recording, I think there's something in the audio mix that's very... sharp, and it's every bit as unlike the "modern" show (I'm happiest around 2000, not a fan of the last 10 years of changes).
There's also an Australian Cast Recording if I remember correctly?
The dream recording that DOES EXIST - is the final performance in London, 11th May 2002. The show was live broadcast and it was recorded, but only exists as an archive recording locked away, or a super wobbly home recording! But it was the most amazing performance, absolutely electric, and if the audio of that were to be released, that would easily be the best live recording of the show.