Sondheim Complete Follies Sequence "Follies" Original Cast Reconstructed Restored

Your response has been so encouraging, here is the complete original follies sequence from Sondheim's "Follies" with the original cast, reconstructed from two studio recordings, live recordings with many cleanings, edits, etc. to create the best possible replication of what Goddard Lieberson would have done had he produced the original cast album for Columbia, as it should have been. These were the most difficult cuts to make whole and prove the entire project is very possible, if not using these sources, then using others that are either better in sound or legally more feasible. I hope it happens and if it does I'd love to work on the project.

Original cast albums done right a la Lieberson are their own art form, and this one might have been and might still be the best of them.

Excelsior.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Sondheim
• Complete
• Follies
• Sequence
• Original
• Cast
• Reconstructed
• Restored
• theater
• theatre
• broadway

[Merkin4pres64]

This is just wonderful. The only thing that could make this better is seeing live on stage with the original cast and Boris Aronson's amazing set and visuals.

[jonthesYT]

@Merkin4pres64 I'll work on it. Actually there is really good live and rehearsal footage of the OC (some of it from LA) if you search Youtube. Would be nice to merge with these recordings, but not a skill of mine.

[Merkin4pres64]

@jonthesYT I wasn't asking you merge audio and video. What you've done is far beyond what any reasonable "Follies" fanatic could hope for. For that, I thank you.

[jonthesYT]

@Merkin4pres64 Oh I would if I could. There is someone on Youtube who has done just that with sections, but he used live audio (recorded separately) instead of the studio or restored version like my audio. If you search Buddy's Blues a remarkable live version comes up, you see the full staging. Reasonable - Follies - fanatic; those are not words that belong together.

[jonthesYT]

I found a little ten second section of "Lucy" I forgot to edit back in - like writing a play, this seems like it will never be done. But you get the drift.

[Ilenowsmusic]

Oh thank you,thank you I listened twice today ( & THE DAY IS NOT OVER) There never was a musical to compare with "Follies"

[jonthesYT]

@Ilenowsmusic Don't make me get all Shatner with you.

[quadvideotape]

Wow; tremendous achievement. A question about "Live, Laugh, Love": the cast album cheats it, so that the dissonance/musical chaos starts right after "social politics" as soon as Ben goes up on his lyrics. But in the original performance, there's a longer period of confusion, where the orchestra keeps going normally, though Ben stumbles. Did you think about transitioning to the live audio earlier? Or were you thinking more about a Lieberson cast album than a historical document?

[tracer740]

@Ilenowsmusic - I enjoyed reading your response. It mirrors mine completely. 40 years have passed so quickly and seeing and hearing these vids takes back so pleasureably.

[gregpatent]

I can't thank you enough for your labor of love in putting together this Loveland sequence. The sound is great and all flows together seamlessly.The original cast was the best!

[Sunflower0122Z]

Wow this sounded incredible! What a labor of love you did. Only 424 views :( We can make this go up if you like? I am seeing the show Wednesday and are so looking forward to it. To have seen this orginal production must have been something quite special.

[MyChewbacca]

You have done a unbelievable job - I am a true fan!