An
Original Broadway Cast Recording, or OBCR, is an album of the songs from the
musical in question, recorded by that musicals' original cast, hence the name. Though it is great for
hardcore Broadway fans to relive those two or so hours spent in the
theatre, OBCRs and NBCRs (New Broadway Cast Recordings, which often accompany
Broadway revivals) will inevitably have a different feel than watching the performance, because they are recorded in a
studio under
optimal conditions. Even though the
sound quality will be better, it will lack the
energy that comes with a live performance.
Yet another example of how all music sounds better live.