Here's where to find all the CDs you're longing to own. In the first section, travel to various labels' catalogs to track down what's available (you might also try the Show Music Magazine index to get an idea of which cast albums are out there). Bill Jennings also maintains a list of forthcoming releases gleaned from various sources. After you have your shopping list, follow a link in the bottom section to have your dreams fulfilled!

[What's Available | Where to get it]

Recordings

AEI Records

AEI Records is a label which offers a selection of musicals often unavailable elsewhere. I have their CDs of Very Warm for May (with members of the original cast) and Music in the Air, and can recommend them highly. E-mail them at AEIRecords@aol.com to request a free catalog. You can also order anything on the TER label from AEI, which is handy for those in the US who do not have a local source for that company's recordings.

DRG Records

The official page for this label. Buying direct from DRG, you can get their wonderful CDs CHEAP! It's really worth it! Lots of interesting cast albums (many of the recent Encores! shows were recorded by DRG) from the US and UK, plus lots of solo albums from popular theatre and cabaret artists.

First Night Records

A UK label responsible for a number of recordings popular among cast album fans. Their catalog includes both new and classic shows, the latter being mostly revivals and studio versions, but many are still on most people's "must-get" lists. A significant number of the shows in their catalog are available only on First Night recordings.

Their site itself is pretty straghtforward, but it stands pointing out that the "Index" page is actually a full catalog listing, while the "Catalogue" page contains only a search box (assuming you know what you're looking for already). This differs from the norm, so heads up!

JAY Records

The American label of John Yap, who also brings us TER. JAY is putting together a really impressive catalog of new recordings of favorite shows, from Guys and Dolls to Jesus Christ Superstar. Complete, and with full orchestrations, any of these recordings would be an excellent addition to your collection! JAY CDs are distributed in America by Allegro.

Koch International

Koch produces or distributes many titles of interest to theatre fans, including the landmark series "Music of the New York Stage."

Original Cast Records

Admittedly an out of date catalog, this page still has a pretty good listing of what you can find from this important cast album label. Until Original Cast gets on the WWW itself, this at least gives you a start in learning the sorts of CDs they offer. There's also contact information, so that you can order their latest catalog yourself (Do it!).

Painted Smiles

Robert Armin has put together the only place on the WWW with the complete catalog of recordings now available on Painted Smiles. You can even print out a handy order form!

Ben Bagley, the man behind Painted Smiles records, is a true original, and puts out recordings of songs we might never otherwise have heard. His albums have featured the vocal talents of Kaye Ballard, Barbara Cook, Dorothy Loudon, and many other tremendously talented stars. The CD versions of titles previously released on vinyl invariably include several added tracks, many newly recorded.

There's some great stuff here (including The Decline and Fall of the Entire World as Seen Through the Eyes of Cole Porter, one of my all-time favorites!), and no theatre CD collection is complete without a good selection of Painted Smiles recordings.

Varese Sarabande

The official, snazzy site for this major label for new show and show-related recordings. Bruce Kimmel is G#d's gift to show music lovers everywhere, providing us with classic re-releases, new cast albums, and solo albums by many popular musical theatre performers are all part of the output of this label, and V/S produces some of the most-anticipated of all recordings among show music fans. For me, the real highlight is the impressive selection of Off-Broadway shows represented here, most of which would never have seen the light of day on CD if it wasn't for Kimmel's efforts. Check out the sampler "Best of" CDs at your local music retailer so you can see the riches that await! Catalog numbers are provided on this site, to make ordering easier. Stock up!

For another VS discography, check out Bill Jennings' at Better Living Through Showtunes

Allmusic Services

A company highly recommended by many on the internet, Allmusic specializes in hard-to-find CDs, LPs and more.

BC/EFA Online Store

Really make your souvenir-buying cash count! Purchases of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS items add more money to fight AIDS. Lots of items are available exclusively through BC/EFA, and most are at least very hard to find outside of New York. Many autographed items are also offered.

Discount Music Connection

A UK-based company that accepts mailorders of show music CDs from all over. They list some "specials" on this page, but can apparently get just about anything in print.

Dress Circle

Dress Circle bills itself as "The Greatest Showbiz Shop in the World," and this site does its best to live up to that high standard. Included are sale catalogs of recordings, posters, t-shirts, videos (mostly PAL format) and just about any type of theatre merchandise you could think of!

Footlight Records

The ultimate place in the US to buy your cast albums and broadway-related recordings. Their service and selection are both top-notch.

Footlights Gallery &Gifts

Not associated with New York's Footlight Records, this Oregon shop has an excellent selection of show cards and posters for sale. A main feature of their homepage is an illustrated catalog of both the show cards and Hirschfeld drawings available for purchase.

MusicMart

A store in New Mexico which has a large selection of Vocal scores and selections available.

The Nash Company

This page shows only a small sample of what this company has available. There is a wide selection of items for Sondheim fans, as well as a lot of other neat musical theatre merchandise! A full catalog is available (free with order), and Nick offers discounts on Internet orders!

Broadway New York

Almost every item offered is pictured, and a wide variety of merchandise is listed. The number of shows represented is one of the largest I have seen on any site of this type.

Readings

Readings is an Australian chain of stores. This is their page of what they have available in the way of Australian Cast Albums. They do take overseas orders.

Sound of Music

A mailorder service in Essen, Germany specializing in show music. This page includes instructions for ordering their catalog of available titles.

Theatre.Com

A place to find all sorts of show-related merchandise, from t-shirts to towels. The list of shows available isn't exhaustive, but there is a fair amount of variety, and it isn't limited to shows still running.

Triton Gallery

One of the best-known places in New York for buying posters for shows. Their whole catalog is online here, and the listing includes size and price for each. A few are also pictured. There's no online order form, but a 1-800 telephone number is provided, as well as an email address.

Problems? Comments? Mail me at: jhobgood@saintmarys.edu

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