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Dreamgirls 25

Hit or Miss

27 Nov 2006

Dreamgirls 25

There was a rumor a couple of years ago that songs left off the original cast recording of Dreamgirls would be restored for the remastered rerelease, but record execs said they didn’t find any material “in the vault.”

So imagine my surprise last week when I read that a 25th anniversary edition of the cast recording was just released with 3 extra tracks, “Driving Down the Strip”, “It’s All Over” (!!!!), and “Dreamgirls (Finale)” (the end version with Effie on lead). The only drawback is that “It’s All Over” ends without segueing directly into “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” (watch the performance from the Tonys to see what I mean). But why didn’t they record “Heavy?” Fortunately, I have my soundboard bootleg and videotape of the original cast, in addition to the recording of the 2002 Concert production.

This new release also includes a second karaoke disc with the original orchestra tracks minus the lead vocals — the album was recorded like a pop album instead of having the musicians and singers in room at the same time (as depicted in the great documentary about the original cast recording of Company).

Tonight I fulfilled my fantasy of singing “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” with full instrumentation… and now I can face the truth that I am not and never will be a strong black women.

7 responses so far (Respond)

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I’d love to see that bootleg video sometime.

Jere | 29 Nov 2006
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This was mentioned on CASTRECL, but I’d forgotten when it was going to come out. I happened to be in a record store last week, and immediately bought it as soon as I saw it, if only for the liner lyrics and “It’s All Over” (my favorite song not on the OBC), although I still like the Dreamgirls in Concert version, if only for the vitality. But I’m not a big fan of that version of “And I Am Telling You”, so what are you going to do?

I am DYING for the Dreamgirls soundtrack — everything I’ve seen makes it look awesome. They even found a spot for Loretta Devine, which is awesome. But I hate that they’ve eliminated “Ain’t No Party”, which is Lorrell’s big number. Grrr. Poor Anika Noni Rose is going to be completely left in the dust if she doesn’t have her song.

Bill | 29 Nov 2006
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oooooooh please can i see it i live in l.a but i’d fly to see it also you view a few perfmances on youtube

stefon | 5 Dec 2006
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I am not and never will be a strong black women

No, but you and Jeff sure gave it the old college try on Saturday night!

Andy | 11 Dec 2006
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I would do anything to get my hands on a copy of that Dreamgirls footage Matt!!! Can you help me

Anthony | 22 Feb 2007
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I have been searching and searching for someone with a recording of the original stageplay? Are you willing to sell a copy?

Jessica | 9 May 2007
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This was mentioned on CASTRECL, but I'd forgotten when it was going to come out. I happened to be in a record store last week, and immediately bought it as soon as I saw it, if only for the liner lyrics and “It's All Over” (my favorite song not on the OBC), although I still like the Dreamgirls in Concert version, if only for the vitality. But I'm not a big fan of that version of “And I Am Telling You”, so what are you going to do?

I am DYING for the Dreamgirls soundtrack — everything I've seen makes it look awesome. They even found a spot for Loretta Devine, which is awesome. But I hate that they've eliminated “Ain't No Party”, which is Lorrell's big number. Grrr. Poor Anika Noni Rose is going to be completely left in the dust if she doesn't have her song.

Bill | 4 Nov 2009