I was so taken by the new versions of those wonderful ABBA songs. I've been playing this CD over and over and over again on my CD players... I listen to it on my stereo, my discman, my car CD player... and the funny thing is, my family loves it as well. We've been fighting over it. In fact, one of my family members brought it to her office today, and I had to resort to playing ABBA Gold.

What sets this recording apart from other cast recordings of musicals is that it really close to capturing the essence and the energy of the live performance. Although at the theatre, the music is played on a much louder soundsystem.

I saw MAMMA MIA! at Toronto's Royal Alexandra Theatre in May, and the cast there was brilliant. The voices are far superior to the ones heard here on the Original London Cast Recording. In fact, the producers of the show have noted that the entire North American Premiere Cast is far superior to both the Original London Cast and the Current London Cast.

I saw the show in London this past July, and was unbelievably disappointed at the production there. The cast was inferior to the Toronto cast, and the audience was dead. This was not the same energetic, amazing show that I saw in Toronto. Audiences at the Royal Alexandra Theatre are blown away by the performance, while London audiences are walking away thinking it's an okay show.

Good thing that the North American Premiere Cast is going on tour in the United States, allowing more people to discover MAMMA MIA! and see it as a wonderful, energetic show. Too bad for London audiences, who are seeing a mediocre production.

So obviously, one of the things that bother me about this particular cast recording is that the voices are not that great, in comparison with the Toronto cast. Siobhan McCarthy, who plays Donna, does not have the powerhouse voice of Toronto's Louise Pitre. Her "Winner Takes It All" isn't sublime like Louise Pitre's, whose version of the song is considered the definitive take on the song, both by ABBA's Benny & Bjorn, and by ABBA fans. In comparison to Louise, her voice is thin and weak, although it sounds sweet.

The male leads aren't that great either, including the three dads, as well as Sky. Lisa Stokke as Sophie was fine, and is probably the strongest singer in the entire recording.

Another thing that bothers me with this cast recording is that it edits out some favourite parts heard live in the show. The Overture has been edited, and doesn't feature the lovely symphonic version of the title song. The song "Honey Honey" is not complete either, missing a couple of verses.

I love this recording, however, and is a great introduction to the show, which is why I'm still giving it 5 stars. It made me fall in love with the show.

But mind you, this cast is not as fantastic as the North American cast. Until a recording with Louise Pitre as Donna is released, then I'll have to settle for this one.

Avoid seeing the show in London with the absolutely boring cast headed by Louise Plowright as Donna (not to be confused with Louise Pitre). You'll be gipped.

The trip to Toronto to see MAMMA MIA! starring Louise Pitre would be more worthwhile.


Captures the music - but not the excitement - of the show   January 8, 2001
Andy Orrock (Dallas, TX)
16 out of 17 found this review helpful

I saw Mamma Mia during the first weekend of its SF run....

But Mamma Mia is not about the plot. It's about the music. The small thread of a storyline exists only as a vehicle to carry the music. And the music is glorious. Anyone who grew up in the 70s and says that don't like ABBA is either lying or going through one of those (strange) repressed memory things. The show - and this soundtrack - demonstrate the power of this quartet's music. The music sounds as fresh today as it did in the mid-seventies. They were an amazing hit machine in their heyday, and the 20+ tracks here contain one smash after another, each with simple hooks that were seared into your brain a long time ago.

The only reasons I gave this four stars instead of five...

1. The gold standard for soundtracks is 'Rent' - it totally captures the energy and emotion of the live show. The 'Mamma Mia' soundtrack is great listening, but it doesn't do justice to the experience of seeing the show live.

2. The complete libretto is not here, only the songs. [The 'Rent' soundtrack gives you all but a couple of snippets of dialogue.]

3. No 'Waterloo.' In the stage show, this is the send-off song of the encore. 'Waterloo' is the song that first brought ABBA to worldwide acclaim. It's not part of the play's storyline, but it sure would be nice to have it as a bonus track on this recording.


Sorry Brits, But Your Voices Are the Pits   June 17, 2002
15 out of 21 found this review helpful

I recently saw the Broadway performance of "Mamma Mia," and it was an incredible show. The songs are all recognizable ABBA, and the great encore tunes of "Dancing Queen," "Mamma Mia," and "Waterloo" have everyone dancing, clapping and swaying in the aisles. Sadly, this CD is a recording of the London cast, and the voices are weak. The compilation lacks the incredible energy of the Broadway performance, and the CD's biggest void is the incredible voice of lead Broadway performer Louise Pitre (as Donna). The CD also does not offer the three encore tunes. If you have attended the Broadway performace, you'll probably be disappointed in this CD. I hope a record label soon will record the incredible, current Broadway cast. In the interim, this CD makes a great coaster!