Andrew Lloyd Webber & Tim Rice, David Friedman, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Pit Orchestr, Barry Tarallo, Bill Hutton, Charlie Serrano, David Ardao, David Asher, Doug Voet, Gordon Stanley - Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (1982 Original Broadway Cast)

It's well known that Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice cut their teeth on Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat before shifting to the New Testament and hitting the big time with Jesus Christ Superstar. And thanks to the box-office clout of Lloyd Webber, as well as the rather sparse supply of new tuneful musicals, this charming little show has reached audiences far beyond the schoolchildren it was intended for. The score shows off Rice's clever lyrics and Lloyd Webber's wide eclectic tastes, with his takes on country, calypso, French café music, Rudy Vallee, and Elvis. The show also includes some simply very fine songs, including "You Are What You Feel/Jacob and Sons," "Close Every Door," and the peppy "Go Go Joseph." Leading the 1982 Broadway cast is the enormously appealing Laurie Beechman in the role of the narrator. Joseph has been subsequently revived in bigger, bolder incarnations starring Donny Osmond and then Sam Harris, presumably to justify a big ticket price for what at heart remains a small-scale show--proof that you don't always get what you pay for. --David Horiuchi Amazon.com

Worth it for the clever lyrics alone...

Andy Webber and Tim Rice did this concept musical recording first, then produced "Jesus Christ Superstar" as a concept recording, and it swept the world. That was nearly 40 years ago. The success of Superstar led to the release of the Joseph score on Scepter Records, and the independent success of "Joseph" led to a stage version. While "Superstar" also has a stage version and was a popular movie, too, "Joseph" is more fun, and if you get a chance to attend a production, don't miss it. Its light tone and variety of musical styles make it a joy to see. The original Broadway cast version sounds just fine, although Donnie Osmond, who resurrected his career by playing Joseph, did not come along until later. Even after owning one version or another of this score for all these decades, I still enjoy an annual listen, because the writing is just so smile-producing. October 1, 2008

Awesome

This is an excellent version of Joseph. This is the standard to which all other versions should be compared! August 7, 2008

Average

I think "Joseph" is an enjoyable listen as a whole. I mean, obviously Webber and Rice were just beginning to find their stride, so it's not as strong as some of their later stuff, but it is a good start. As far as this CD goes, I personally think the 'Joseph" is a tad weak as a singer. I don't really know how to explain it. He isn't bad by any means, but it is only average. The 'narrator' is good though. It, as a whole, is a good interpretation of what I'm sure Webber and Rice had in mind. March 7, 2008

Go, Go, Go Joseph!!!

I had just watched yet another production of "Joseph" and decided to purchase the DVD to keep the music going. I'm a happy camper! February 8, 2008

Best for listening

I first met "Joseph ..." with a national touring company in the mid '80s, and was grabbed by it. The productions I have seen since have all been so "campy" that the story line was almost neglected. The production I saw first is proof that "Joseph ..." can be done as a real musical.
It is, of course, a mishmash of musical styles. Almost everybody will like something in it; and almost everybody will dislike something in it. But altogether, it plays well.
For me, the enjoyment comes from listening to the music, not from seeing the productions that are now being staged. September 5, 2007

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