Highlights from Cats

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Music reviews of Highlights from Cats

Music Review: The Cat's Meow
Rating: 5 Stars

_Wow_. I can't believe this CD got mostly negative reviews, especially after what I went through to find it. Years ago a friend of mine bought this CD and then copied it on a cassette tape for me. I had never seen "Cats" or heard any music from it (besides "Memory", which everyone in Western civilization has heard), so this soundtrack tape copy was my first exposure to the music.

And I, personally, loved it. I loved it so much and listened to it so often I wore out the tape. And trying to find this version again drove me nuts; I thought what I was looking for was selections from the original London recording -- but that was not the case, as I found out. I finally found this CD and was thrilled; I'm listening to it right now, and it's every bit as wonderful as I remember.

I haven't heard the London version, apparently, but I have heard the Original Broadway recording. I have two huge pet peeves with the Broadway version of the CD, and the first is their slaughtering of the prologue "Jellicle Songs For Jellicle Cats". I _hate_ the Broadway version of it; I hate it, I hate it, I hate it. The singers on the Broadway often seem to be unable to reach all the notes, and they have a tendency to clip words. It in no ways measures up to the "Jellicle" Song on this highlight CD. Really. The version on this CD, of the original London version, is sung by actors and actresses with British accents who actually HIT all their notes. It has a mysterious, almost otherworldly feel to it; it sounds like something cats could actually be singing.

My other complaint is the Broadway version of "Mungojerrie And Rumpleteazer", which I also don't care for. It is a cute tune (it's the one on the video/DVD recording of "Cats"), but it in no way measures up to the neat, slinky-sounding melody on this selection. Sung by an actor and actress in full Cockney accent, it sounds sneaky and cocky and exactly how I picture Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer. MUCH neater tune.

The other songs are great, too. "The Rum Tum Tugger" lacks the jazzy sounds of the Broadway but makes up for it in the cocky British feeling. "Grizabella: The Glamour Cat" is haunting, and "Gus: The Theatre Cat" is bittersweet and heartwarming at the same time. "Macavity: The Mystery Cat" was my favorite song for years, with a delightful sneaky sound that makes chills go up my spine every time I hear it. And "Memory" comes off sweet and sad and beautiful, everything it's supposed to be, Elaine Paige or no.

So, this is without a doubt my favorite version of "Cats". I do have the Original Broadway in full, which is nice if I want to hear ALL the music . . . but this version has all my favorite songs, and for me sounds the best. Get this for the version of "Jellicle Cats" alone if you can; it's mysterious and beautiful and quite feline. Enjoy. :)

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