Is this the best of all possible "Candide" renditions? No, probably not, but it certainly is the best recording of the score that I own (the others are the Original Broadway Cast, Bernstein's Studio Cast and the Royal National Theatre Cast). One of the great things about this version is what is included and sung by whom - in that, it is similar to the even better version starring Kristin Chenoweth and Patti LuPone, which is not available on CD. The Old Lady (Andrea Martin), Paquette (Stacey Logan) and Maximilian (Brent Barrett) all are well-integrated on this recording. Barrett has a great voice, and I prefer Maximilian to be the one serenaded in "My Love". Martin does everything right, and Logan sounds wonderfully dim-witted throughout. When they come head-to-head in "Quiet", they are well-matched and highly entertaining. Jim Dale is very idiosyncratic as Voltaire, Dr. Pangloss and his other roles. While Harolyn Blackwell is slightly disappointing as Cunegonde (who isn't in that role?), Jason Daniely is an ideal fit for Candide, his voice is beautiful, and he also has the acting chops to make everything he does sound like theater.
The score gets better the more you listen to it, be it "I am Easily Assimilated", "Make our Garden Grow", "Best of all Possible Worlds" - many songs are among the best in musical theater - towering above everything else, of course, is "Glitter and be Gay". So, even though the Chenoweth-LuPone version managed to be even more satisfying, no one should not own this CD.