I remember one of my voice teachers getting us to listen to different cast recordings and picking out which ones were recorded in studios and which ones were recorded on stage or live during a show. I love the differences. All wonderful in their own different ways.
Really beautiful framing here. The idea that what feels like a flaw to the performer lands as honesty to the listener is something I dunno if enough artists internalize. Reminds me of how I used to obsess over every tiny mistake in recordings I made, only to have friends tell me those were their favorit parts. That vulnerability paradox seems to apply way beyond just cast albums tbh.
I love the notion that the imperfections in a cast recording are proof of humanness. We lesser humans who have never sung on a cast recording can more deeply appreciate the beauty of it all because of that tiny flaw.
I remember one of my voice teachers getting us to listen to different cast recordings and picking out which ones were recorded in studios and which ones were recorded on stage or live during a show. I love the differences. All wonderful in their own different ways.
Really beautiful framing here. The idea that what feels like a flaw to the performer lands as honesty to the listener is something I dunno if enough artists internalize. Reminds me of how I used to obsess over every tiny mistake in recordings I made, only to have friends tell me those were their favorit parts. That vulnerability paradox seems to apply way beyond just cast albums tbh.
Love this thoughtful piece about cast recordings and their enduring appeal!
I love the notion that the imperfections in a cast recording are proof of humanness. We lesser humans who have never sung on a cast recording can more deeply appreciate the beauty of it all because of that tiny flaw.