EVITA, one of the most successful pieces Webber (? On the other hand, which Webber-piece is already unsuccessful), was originally, like JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, intended as a rock opera - unconventional with a few somewhat, partly Latin American influences. We started this project as a concept recording, listen to this double CD that under their belts is the best EVITA uptake despite their now 31 years still. I Siedle EVITA because of its rousing narrative next JCS and SUNSET BOULEVARD, and this double CD is this work, one of WebberŽs best, just as any other version. Here one has to do with the London Symphony Orchestra, which no other (except perhaps the great from the movie soundtrack), the water can range, but what makes the arrangements especial charming is the raw rock component and last year's lucky for the movie London Revival was added again. You will notice some differences for later stage version, the partially positive partially negative notice. An example is the song "The LadyŽs got potential," a showstopper solo for Che, which was later replaced by the equal more boring "Art of the Possible" (mainly because the rock band completely painted on the stage of the score and the music therefore had to be redesigned). On the other hand, I think the Streichug of CheŽs "insecticide subplot" turn right, because this was rather superfluous and distracting. And "comic relief" is anyway enough afforded by the incredibly clever, sometimes painful razor-sharp lyrics by Tim Rice, the complement WebberŽs music awesome. One can not say enough about him for this achievement. Too bad they have not worked together often. The cast is consistently satisfactory to stunning. Paul Jones as Peron plays the role (which is admittedly somewhat ungrateful) to undifferentiated. Barbra Dickson unfortunately has only a short (but stick in the memory lasting) appearance as Peron's mistress in the highlight "Another Suitcase in Another Hall", but looks great in it. Colm Wilkinson, who arrived later for his role as Valjean in LES MIZ to fame, brings his smoky charm in the role of Che as the fist fits the eye. Hardly a successor could follow in his footsteps. The hallmark of the CD is how could it be otherwise with such a "one-woman-with-a-few-other-while-Show", the main role of Eva, here represented by Julie Covington (which I personally previously only from the musical version of "War of the Worlds" as Beth knew). She does not like the world's best singer (but in my opinion that's Patti LuPone not - I have the whole fuss about it honestly never really understood), but it brings an energy to the role, is second to none and the almost only Elena Rogers enforcement of the new London Cast. Especially nice to hear passages that were later mutilated or completely trimmed from, such as "EvaŽs Sonnet", a great song of EvaŽs adds character, as well as the last two verses of "Laments" that in another EvaŽs motivations is back light (nice to mention here also the furtive "Dont Cry For Me Agrentina" -Reprise the time of death, as a kind of obituary). All in all, this version of EVITA to this day the one that has to offer at every level the best overall and trumps any other recording as a whole in one or another point. For a Music Alfan the recommendation can therefore only be: BUY NOW namely; -) !!!