Bye Bye Birdie (1960 Original Broadway Cast) [Cast Recording] [Cast Recording] [Original recording remastered] [Extra tracks]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
A lighthearted romp reflecting the Elvis revolution, Bye Bye Birdie follows Albert Peterson (a pre-Mary Poppins Dick Van Dyke), the manager of rock & roller Conrad Birdie (Dick Gautier), who is sweeping through the town of Sweet Apple on a publicity stunt surrounding his being drafted into the Army. Meanwhile, Albert's faithful but exasperated secretary (Chita Rivera) hopes he will give up show business to settle down with her and become a respectable English teacher. In Charles Strouse and Lee Adams's energetic and tuneful score, Van Dyke sings the standard "Put On a Happy Face," the high schoolers are high schoolers ("A Lot of Livin' to Do," "The Telephone Hour," "One Boy") and bewilder their parents ("Kids"), Gautier thrusts his hips ("Honestly Sincere," "One Last Kiss"), and homage is paid to that icon of home entertainment, Ed Sullivan ("Hymn for a Sunday Evening"). Bye Bye Birdie won the 1961 Tony for Best Musical, and Van Dyke reprised his role in the 1963 film version. The 2000 remastering features outstanding clarity as well as a bonus track of Strouse himself introducing and singing "Put On a Happy Face" at a Smithsonian lecture in 1978. --David Horiuchi

Tracks:

Oklahoma!: Oh, What A Beautiful Mornin' - John Raitt/Franz Allers
On The Town: New York, New York - Michael Kermoyan/Adolph Green/John Reardon/Cris Alexander & Chorus/Leonard Bernstein
Annie Get Your Gun: I Got The Sun In The Morning - Doris Day/Franz Allers
Fiddler On The Roof: If I Were A Rich Man - Topol/Gareth Davies
West Side Story: Tonight - Larry Kert/Carol Lawrence/Max Goberman
The Sound Of Music: The Sound Of Music - Mary Martin/Frederick Dvonch
My Fair Lady: On The Street Where You Live - Jerry Lanning/Theodore Saidenberg
Annie: Tomorrow - Andrea McArdle/Peter Howard
The Music Man: Seventy-Six Trombones - The Boston Pops Orchestra/John Williams
Anything Goes: You're The Top - Eileen Rodgers/Hal Linden/Julian Stein
Bye Bye Birdie: Put On A Happy Face - Dick Van Dyke/Elliot Lawrence
Mame: Open A New Window - Angela Lansbury & Cast/Don Pippin
Strike Up The Band: Strike Up The Band - The Chestnut Brass Co.
Sweet Charity: Hey, Big Spender - Helen Gallagher/Thelma Oliver/Fan-Dango Girls/Fred Werner
Bells Are Ringing: Just In Time - Judy Holliday/Sydney Chaplin/Milton Rosenstock
Gypst: Together, Wherever We Go - Ethel Merman/Jack Klugman/Sandra Church/Milton Rosenstock
Cabaret: Cabaret - Jill Haworth/Harold Hastings
Phantom Of The Opera: The Music Of The Night - The Boston Pops Orchestra/John Williams
Show Boat: Ol' Man River - William Warfield/Franz Allers
A Chorus Line: What I Did For Love - Priscilla Lopez & Cast/Don Pippin
A Little Night Music: Send In The Clowns - Glynis Johns/Harold Hastings

Customer Reviews:

Great to Hear All those great Voices from the Past.......2007-07-05

I just wanted to confirm what the first reviewer had to say about this CD. To hear Ethyl Merman, Mary Martin, Andrea McCardle etc. singing their trademark songs brought a lot of memories from the mid-centry musical theater back again. The last song by Glynis Johns is especially poignant.
You certainly can't beat the price!

A Good One!.......2006-11-10

This is a very good CD, mostly because it's the original artists. I've had some that were re-recorded by no name artists that were ghastly. This one is a really good one--including the sound quality. If I had one wish, I would wish it were longer!

Bye Bye Birdie (1960 Original Broadway Cast)

Average customer rating:

Energy proliferates
It's not the best--but buy it anyway!
Cute Classic
Unexpected but not disappointed
Bye Bye Birdie vocal CD

Bye Bye Birdie (1960 Original Broadway Cast)
Lee Adams
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Bye Bye Birdie
Bye Bye Birdie
Bye Bye Birdie (1963 Film Soundtrack)
The Pajama Game (1954 Original Broadway Cast)
Bye Bye Birdie: The New Soundtrack Recording (1995 Television Cast)

ASIN: B00004THM0
Release Date: 2000-05-30

Tracks:

Act I: Overture
Act I: An English Teacher
Act I: The Telephone Hour
Act I: How Lovely To Be A Woman
Act I: Put On A Happy Face
Act I: A Healthy, Normal, American Boy
Act I: One Boy
Act I: Honestly Sincere
Act I: Hymn For A Sunday Evening (Ed Sullivan)
Act I: One Last Kiss
Act II: What Did I Ever See In Him?
Act II: A Lot Of Livin' To Do
Act II: Kids
Act II: Baby, Talk To Me
Act II: Kids Reprise
Act II: Spanish Rose
Act II: Rosie
Charles Strouse At The Smithsonian: Put On A Happy Face

Amazon.com

A lighthearted romp reflecting the Elvis revolution, Bye Bye Birdie follows Albert Peterson (a pre-Mary Poppins Dick Van Dyke), the manager of rock & roller Conrad Birdie (Dick Gautier), who is sweeping through the town of Sweet Apple on a publicity stunt surrounding his being drafted into the Army. Meanwhile, Albert's faithful but exasperated secretary (Chita Rivera) hopes he will give up show business to settle down with her and become a respectable English teacher. In Charles Strouse and Lee Adams's energetic and tuneful score, Van Dyke sings the standard "Put On a Happy Face," the high schoolers are high schoolers ("A Lot of Livin' to Do," "The Telephone Hour," "One Boy") and bewilder their parents ("Kids"), Gautier thrusts his hips ("Honestly Sincere," "One Last Kiss"), and homage is paid to that icon of home entertainment, Ed Sullivan ("Hymn for a Sunday Evening"). Bye Bye Birdie won the 1961 Tony for Best Musical, and Van Dyke reprised his role in the 1963 film version. The 2000 remastering features outstanding clarity as well as a bonus track of Strouse himself introducing and singing "Put On a Happy Face" at a Smithsonian lecture in 1978. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews:

Energy proliferates.......2007-05-13

I saw the live version, albeit with the Australian cast, many years ago. It comprised a wonderfully vibrant, energetic cast. This version had just as much tuneful energy as the live show. I must say, though, that I was disappointed that some of what was in the live show was omitted. Regardless, it is still an exciting production.

It's not the best--but buy it anyway!.......2007-03-31

Because of the nature of the musical, there is something not as good about it being done by professionals. I'm sure that sounds ridiculous, but it's true. You will not see, or hear "Bye Bye Birdie" done better than by pimply awkward teenagers at your local high school who can just barely stay on key. Seriously. The charm of this musical is you don't have to be GREAT to be in it. With that said, I still recommend this album. It's fun. Not as great as some other musicals (I recommend "Cinderella," "The Fantasticks," "Guys and Dolls," or "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown"), but a good deal better than others (okay, I'll spare you a list of the ones I hate).

Cute Classic.......2006-11-09

If you started to sing "Grey skies are gonna clear up..." I'm sure everyone could finish "Put ona happy face." But not everyone knows that little tune is from Bye, Bye, Birdie. This musical is a sweet little show that really is in between the classic musical style and the modern musical. Its quite enjoyable to listen to if you want some light toe tappers. It also has some good ballads and duets. So its a nice CD to have and $11 isnt a bad price. However if your looking for the next CD that'll be on repeat in your player for the next month, this is not it. I would hope collectors would have this one, but if not get it. People who have just started likeing musicals, this isnt a bad one to test the waters outside of the classical musical or the modern musical. Favorite song: "Baby, Talk to Me"

Unexpected but not disappointed.......2006-03-28

I love Bye Bye Birdie, but I have only seen the movie. I really like Broadway cast recordings so I thought I would order this instead because several cast members were the same and there were some other big name additions. However this recording is nothing like the movie. Even the same actors have different melody lines and lyrics. It is however upbeat, bright and fun to sing along with.

Bye Bye Birdie vocal CD.......2006-03-03

Great service, and exactly the music I was looking for!

Broadway - The American Musical (PBS Series)

Average customer rating:

Fabulous for any Broadway-lover
Top Shelf
TERRIFIC CD'S
Great Collection of Broadways greatest Songs
Great Compilation!

Broadway - The American Musical (PBS Series)

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Best of Broadway - The American Musical (PBS Series)
Broadway: The American Musical
Broadway: The American Musical
Broadway - The American Musical (PBS Series)
Somewhere over the Rainbow: The Golden Age of Hollywood Musicals

ASIN: B00064ADMK
Release Date: 2004-10-19

Tracks:

Give My Regards To Broadway- Joel Grey
Swanee- Al Jolson
When The Moon Shines On The Moonshine- Bert Williams
A Pretty Girl Is Like A Melody- John Steel
My Man- Fanny Brice
Fascinating Rhythm- Fred Astaire, Adele Astaire
If You Knew Susie (Like I Know Susie)- 78rpm Version Eddie Cantor
Someone To Watch Over Me- Gertrude Lawrence
Bill- 78 rpm Version Helen Morgan
Ol' Man River- Paul Robeson
Ain't Misbehavin'- Louis Armstrong & His Orchestra
Ten Cents A Dance- Ruth Etting
Body And Soul- Libby Holman
Brother, Can You Spare A Dime- Bing Crosby
Night And Day- Fred Astaire
Heat Wave- Ethel Waters
Smoke Gets in Your Eyes- Tamara
You're The Top- Ethel Merman
Summertime- Anne Brown
September Song- Walter Huston
My Heart Belongs To Daddy- Mary Martin
It Never Entered My Mind- Shirley Ross
Bewitched, Bothered, Bewildered- Vivienne Segal
Oh, How I Hate To Get Up In The Morning- Irving Berlin
Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'- Alfred Drake

Tracks:

New York, New York- Cris Alexander,Adolph Green,John Reardon
If I Loved You- John Raitt,Jan Clayton
Come Rain Or Come Shine- Ruby Hill,Harold Nicholas
There's No Business Like Show Business- Ensemble
How Are Things In Glocca Morra? From "Finian's Rainbow"- Ella Logan
Once In Love With Amy- Ray Bolger
Wunderbar- Alfred Drake,Patricia Morison
Some Enchanted Evening- Ezio Pinza
Lost In The Stars- Todd Duncan
Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend- Carol Channing
Luck Be A Lady- Robert Alda,Guys
Getting To Know You- Gertrude Lawrence
Who Cares?- Jack Carson,Betty Oakes
Stranger In Paradise- from " Kismet" Doretta Morrow,Richard Kiley
Ballad Of Mack The Knife- Gerald Price
Hey There- from "The Pajama Game" John Raitt
Whatever Lola Wants- Gwen Verdon
I Could Have Danced All Night- Julie Andrews
Standing On The Corner- from "The Most Happy Fella, 1956" Shorty Long,John Henson,Alan Gilbert
The Party's Over- Judy Holliday
Glitter And Be Gay- Barbara Cook
Tonight- Larry Kert, Carol Lawrence

Tracks:

Seventy-Six Trombones- Robert Preston
I Enjoy Being A Girl- from "Flower Drum Song, 1958" Pat Suzuki
Everything's Coming Up Roses- Ethel Merman
My Favorite Things- from "The Sound Of Music" Mary Martin
Put On A Happy Face- from "Bye Bye Birdie" Dick Van Dyke
Try To Remember- Jerry Orbach
Camelot- from "Camelot" Richard Burton
Love Makes The World Go 'Round- Anna Maria Alberghetti
I Believe In You- Robert Morse And Co.
The Sweetest Sounds- Diahann Carroll,Richard Kiley
Comedy Tonight- Zero Mostel
What Kind Of Fool Am I?- Anthony Newley
As Long As He Needs Me- Georgia Brown
Hello, Dolly!- Carol Channing,Cast
People- Barbra Streisand
Anyone Can Whistle- from "Anyone Can Whistle" Lee Remick
If I Were A Rich Man- Zero Mostel
Night Song- Sammy Davis, Jr.
The Impossible Dream- Richard Kiley
If My Friends Could See Me Now- Gwen Verdon
Open a New Window- from Mame Voice

Tracks:

Willkommen- from "Cabaret" Joel Grey
Let The Sunshine In- James Rado,Lynn Kellogg,Melba Moore,Cast
I'll Never Fall In Love Again- Jill O'Hara,Jerry Orbach
The Ladies Who Lunch- from "Company" Elaine Stritch
Tea For Two- Roger Rathburn,Susan Watson
I'm Still Here- Yvonne De Carlo
I Don't Know How To Love Him- Yvonne Elliman
We Go Together- Adrienne Barbeau,Barry Bostwick,Walter Bobbie,Cast
Corner Of The Sky- John Rubinstein
Send In The Clowns- Glynis Johns
Ease On Down The Road- Stephanie Mills,Tiger Haynes,Ted Ross,Hinton
One- from "A Chorus Line" Cast
All That Jazz- Chita Rivera,Ensemble
Tomorrow- Andrea Mcardle
Don't Cry For Me Argentina- Patti Lupone
Come Follow The Band
Lullaby Of Broadway- Jerry Orbach
And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going- Jennifer Holliday
The Bells Of St. Sebastian- Raul Julia

Tracks:

Memory- Betty Buckley
I Am What I Am- George Hearn
Move On- Bernadette Peters,Mandy Patinkin
Do You Hear The People Sing?- Michael Maguire,Cast
The Music Of The Night- Michael Crawford
You're Nothing Without Me- James Naughton,Gregg Edelman
The American Dream- Jonathan Pryce,Cast
Doctor Jazz- Gregory Hines,Company
With One Look- Glenn Close
On Broadway- Adrian Bailey,Frederick B. Owens,Ken Ard,Victor Trent Cook
Le Jazz Hot- Julie Andrews,Ensemble
Seasons Of Love-
Hakuna Matata- Max Casella,Tom Alan Robbins,Scott Irby-Ranniar,Jason Raize
I Wanna Be A Producer- Matthew Broderick,Ensemble
Dancing Queen- Louise Plowright,Jenny Galloway
Good Morning Baltimore- Marissa Jaret Winokur
Movin' Out- Michael Cavanaugh,Band
I Go To Rio- Hugh Jackman,Company
Defying Gravity- Kristin Chenoweth,Idina Menzel

Customer Reviews:

Fabulous for any Broadway-lover.......2007-01-30

Packs into 5 CD's a sampling of Broadway tunes from the 20's thru (almost) today, mostly from original cast recordings. Includes not just well-known hits, but also some lesser-known gems. Sound quality is first rate, booklet is informative too. Have given this as a gift to several friends with rave reviews.

Top Shelf.......2007-01-04

This is THE definitive collection of Broadway hits. I have other collections, and none of them measure up. A great deal of care was obviously taken in compiling and presenting this box set. It covers a lot of ground, starting with some long-forgotten but still very enjoyable hits from the days of yore, and finishing with present-day favorites. To the best of my knowledge, the recordings are by those who made them famous. You won't be disappointed.

TERRIFIC CD'S.......2006-03-23

THESE BROADWAY MUSICALS CD'S ARE A BROADWAY LOVERS DREAM. WITH EACH SONG, MEMORIES COME FLOODING BACK. BOTH THE FAMILIAR AND THE FORGOTTEN SONGS ARE A TRUE LISTENING PLEASURE. IF YOU LIKE BROADWAY, YOU'LL LOVE THIS SET.

Great Collection of Broadways greatest Songs .......2005-06-14

This Collection was perfectly made it has almost all the most famous Broadway songs on this 5 cd set. The Music is great and has Broadways greatest treasures like "Memory""People""With One Look""Give my regards Too Broadway" just to name a few of this numerous cd set with over 100 songs. This is a great buy if you like musicals or The music of Broadway

Great Compilation!.......2005-01-17

If you are a fan of the Broadway Musicals, this is a collection that you should purchase. Since I got the 5 disc set I've enjoyed listening to it. The majority of the songs are done by the original singers. The collection is priceless considering that you will have over 100 songs from popular musicals since the beginning of Broadway

Average customer rating:

So much fun!
BYE BYE BIRDIE
Bye Bye Birdie soundtrack
Love the movie...but the soundtrack?
Bye Bye Birdie was a good Buy Buy

Bye Bye Birdie (1963 Film Soundtrack)

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Bye Bye Birdie
Bye Bye Birdie (1960 Original Broadway Cast)
Bye Bye Birdie: The New Soundtrack Recording (1995 Television Cast)
Bye Bye Birdie
The Music Man (1962 Film Soundtrack)

ASIN: B0000AQRZS
Release Date: 2003-09-09

Tracks:

Bye Bye Birdie - Ann-Margret
Opening Credits - Columbia Studio Orchestra, Johnny Green
Telephone Hour
How Lovely to Be a Woman - Ann-Margret
We Love You Conrad [Film Version][#][*]
Honestly Sincere - Jesse Pearson
Hymn for a Sunday Evening - Ann-Margret, Mary La Roche, Paul Lynde, Bryan Russell
One Boy - Ann-Margret, Janet Leigh, Bobby Rydell
Put On a Happy Face - Janet Leigh, Dick Van Dyke
Kids - Paul Lynde, Bryan Russell, Maureen Stapleton, Dick Van Dyke
One Last Kiss [Gym Rehearsal Outtake][#][*] - Jesse Pearson
Lot of Livin' to Do - Ann-Margret, Jesse Pearson, Bobby Rydell
Sultans' Ballet [Film Version][#][*] - Columbia Studio Orchestra, Johnny Green
One Last Kiss - Jesse Pearson
Rosie - Ann-Margret, Janet Leigh, Bobby Rydell, Dick Van Dyke
Bye Bye Birdie (Reprise) - Ann-Margret, Janet Leigh, Bobby Rydell, Dick Van Dyke

Customer Reviews:

So much fun!.......2007-06-13

This is still such a classic and so much fun!

BYE BYE BIRDIE.......2007-03-03

I always enjoyed the film version of "Birdie" as well as the soundtrack and now this reissue includes "The Sultans Ballet" where Janet Leigh bites off more than she can chew when she invites a group of Sultans(Shriners) to dance. There are a couple of minor inclusions including "We Love You Conrad" and the rehearsal of "One Last Kiss" My only question is why didnt they use the complete version of "A Lot of Livin To Do" Even with the additional tracks the CD clocks in at 46 minutes so space wasn't a problem. It's quite understandable why the Russian Ballet was not included since it would be out of place on an otherwise perky and bright score.

While "Bye Bye Birdie" may not be one of the best scores it is zesty and cheerful to listen to on a gloomy day and as one of the numbers suggests it helps you to "Put On A Happy Face"

Bye Bye Birdie soundtrack.......2006-07-01

The product itself is excellent, but: 1) it took about three weeks to arrive; and 2) we didn't realize the film cut out and added so music. What we needed was a soundtrack for the stage production.

Love the movie...but the soundtrack?.......2006-05-04

I am a huge fan of the movie and the soundtrack is also amazing...the only thing I'm uspet about is that "One Last Kiss" on the cd is TOTALLY different!

Bye Bye Birdie was a good Buy Buy.......2005-08-02

Solid cast recording brings back the light-hearted msuicals of the 50s and 60s. Used as the primer for an upcoming stage version of the show, we listened frequently, and haven't tired yet.

Bye Bye Birdie: The New Soundtrack Recording (1995 Television Cast)

Average customer rating:

Absolutely Wonderful
The good outweighs the bad...
bye bye birdie
Vanessa Williams and Jason Alexander sing BIRDIE
Great Soundtrack, Only a few dissapointments!

Bye Bye Birdie: The New Soundtrack Recording (1995 Television Cast)
Charles Strouse , Lee Adams , and Marc Kudisch
Manufacturer: RCA Victor
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Bye Bye Birdie
Bye Bye Birdie (1960 Original Broadway Cast)
Bye Bye Birdie
Bye Bye Birdie (Karaoke)
Bye Bye Birdie (1963 Film Soundtrack)

ASIN: B000003FZT
Release Date: 1995-11-07

Tracks:

Main title (Bye Bye Birdie) - The Sweet Apple Teens
An English Teacher - Vanessa Williams
The Telephone Hour - The Sweet Apple Teens
How Lovley To Be A Woman - Chynna Phillips
Put On A Happy Face - Jason Alexander
A Healthy, Normal, American Boy - Jason Alexander/Vanessa Williams/Ensemble
One Boy - Chynna Phillips/Shelly Hunt/Marlowe Windsor-Menard
Let's Settle Down - Venessa Willams
Honesty Sincere - Marc Kudisch
Hymm For A Sunday Evening (Ed Sullivan) - George Wendt/Sally Mayes/Chynna Phillips/Blair Slater/Ensemble
One Last Kiss - Mark Kudisch/The Sweet Apple Teens
What Did I Ever See In Him - Vanessa Williams/Chynna Phillips
A Lot Of Lovin' To Do - Marc Kudisch/Chynna Phillips/The Sweet Apple Teens
Kids - George Wendt/Sally Mayes
Spanish Rose - Vanessa Williams
Talk To Me - Jason Alexander/Peter Davis/Daryl Tookes/Al Dana/Murray Weinstock
A Mother Dosen't Matter Anymore - Tyne Daly
A Giant Step - Jason Alexander
Rosie - Jason Alexander/Vanessa Williams
End Credits - Orchestra

Customer Reviews:

Absolutely Wonderful.......2006-08-10

I do not own this CD or any other Bye Bye Birdie soundtracks. However, just from listening to the samples on this website I can tell which one is obviously the best. If you don't believe me, just listen to them yourself. I am comparing the songs from this, the 1995 television recording, the 1960 Broadway, and the 1963 movie. Here is a list of *some* of the songs and my opinions:

An English Teacher
1995: Vannessa William's voice is lovely.
1960: I prefer the first one. I think Chita Rivera's voice sounds too old fashioned.
1963: not included

The Telephone Hour
1995: I am IN LOVE with this song, almost as much as I am with Harvey Johnson. (Yes, I am a hormone-riddled teenager, so I can relate to this song.) Whoever plays Harvey has a great voice and sounds charmingly vulnerable. It is hard to keep from smiling as you listen to this flock of gossiping teenagers.
1960: You have no idea how much I am cringing right now. Everyone, especially the girls, is more yelling than singing. The overall impression is very cheap.
1963: Though very upbeat, this rendition seems quite annoying and Harvey was obviously trying to sound as bad as possible.

How Lovely To Be A Woman
1995: Yes, Chynna Phillips is too old, although it's not that noticable. Also, though her voice has a nice tone, she goes off key occasionally and is not the best for the role.
1960: But then again, neither is this woman. Ugh.
1963: Despite the constant bashing of Ann-Margaret from other reviewers, I think she's pretty good. Am I missing something?

Put On A Happy Face
1995: Great!
1960: Also great!
1963: Not bad at all......

A Healthy, Normal, American Boy
1995: Very enjoyable.
1960: Er.....those girls seriously need to work on enunciating their vowels.
1963: N/A

Honestly Sincere
1995: Woot! Mark Kudisch is AMAZING! I can't think of anyone more perfect for this role. He sounds exactly like a renown Elvis impersonator. You can't stand still while listening to this song!
1960: Not nearly up to par with Kudisch's performance. Good, though.
1963: Are you kidding? (Although the background screams are mildly amusing.)

Hymn For A Sunday Evening (Ed Sullivan)
1995: I love the part where the chorus joins. The energy is awesome.
1960: Boring in comparison.
1963: Ditto.

One Last Kiss
See Honestly Sincere.

Kids
1995: I love this song! I think both parts were cast perfectly--yes, even George Wendt, especially George Wendt actually. His is a character role, and he does it perfectly, so that every teenager wants to strangle him. Kids sounds very lively.
1960: Not as polished or well-acted as the 1995 one.
1963: Enjoyable, actually. Very different from the other two.

Spanish Rose:
1995: Williams is very nice on here.
1960: Way too over-acted. It sounds pretty bad.
1963: absent

That's all I really want to write down........[...]

The good outweighs the bad..........2004-11-28

I should preface this review with a disclaimer of sorts. I've never seen the movies, nor have I seen the play staged professionally. I have yet to hear any other version of the soundtrack. This review is based solely from my very limited experience with the musical - I've seen a high school production.

Looking at the soundtrack solely on its own merits, it's pretty darn good. The leads of Albert and Rosie are filled, respectively, by Jason Alexander and Vanessa Williams. They each do a wonderful job. Alexander nails all of his songs. His version of "Put On A Happy Face" is undeniably goofy, but that adds immensely to its charm. Even better is his version of "Talk To Me," which is one of the album's highlights. This isn't a surprise, as he was an actor on Broadway before he moved to television, but it's impressive nonetheless. His vocals are simply amazing. Williams succeeds similarly; she conveys Rosie's exasperation at Albert perfectly in "English Teacher" and "What Did I Ever See In Him?" Again, this isn't a surprise - anyone with a recording career should most certainly be able to sing - but she is as important to the album's success as Alexander is.

The other actors fill their roles with varying levels of success. Chynna Phillips sounds a bit too old to be a teenager, but her version of "One Boy" impressed me enough to forget that. Marc Kudisch sounds like a sleazy Elvis impersonator...in other words, he's perfect for the role of Conrad Birdie. He manages to make the Birdie tracks (stupid lyrics and all) a lot of fun to listen to. George Wendt, on the other hand...Wendt just wasn't a good choice for the role of Harry. His rendition of "Kids," while not exactly atrocious, was probably the worst track on the CD. An older actor may have been a better choice for the film...or, since I'm talking about the soundtrack, perhaps someone who can actually sing.

I don't know the play well enough to comment on the newly added tracks, but I don't see why "A Mother Doesn't Matter Anymore" was added. It took the play's monologue and turned it into a song, but it didn't really add anything in the process. Strange, to say the least.

It's probably just me, but I find the ensemble of teenage girls used in the title track and "Telephone Hour" to be incredibly grating. It bothers me so much I skip those tracks. I can't explain why that is, but that is definitely not a good sign.

Weak spots aside, I've got to give the CD a positive review. I've listened to it repeatedly over the past week, and I've had it stuck in my head for the majority of that week. The tracks that feature Alexander, Williams, and Kudisch are all very well done, and outnumber the weaker ones like "Telephone Hour" and the hideous version of "Kids." I can't compare this to the movie or any other versions of the soundtrack, but it manages to hold its own well enough.

bye bye birdie.......2004-05-23

Wow the movie is great and so is the soundtrack!!!!!!
one totally awesome cd. my personal fav is telephone hour .

Vanessa Williams and Jason Alexander sing BIRDIE.......2004-03-04

BYE BYE BIRDIE was dusted off for a television version in 1995, featuring a cast made up of Broadway veterans and newcomers alike. The soundtrack album is a bouncy and enjoyable delight.

Vanessa Williams takes on her second Chita Rivera-originated role, as beleagured secretary Rose Alvarez. Jason Alexander (THE RINK) returns to his musical theatre roots as Albert Peterson. The rest of the cast is sensational: Marc Kudisch (reprising his national tour role) as Conrad Birdie; Tyne Daly (GYPSY, CALL ME MADAM) as Mae Peterson; George Wendt as Mr MacAfee, and Sally Mayes (SHE LOVES ME) as Mrs MacAfee. The only shortcoming is the sorely-miscast Chynna Phillips as Kim, who hardly convinces as a teenager.

Several new songs were written for this new version of the Broadway classic, including "Let's Settle Down", belted to perfection by Miss Williams; and "A Mother Doesn't Matter Anymore", a great character-turn for Tyne Daly as the grasping Mae. The other numbers, including the classics "An English Teacher", "A Lot of Livin' to Do" and "Kids" are all performed to perfection. And yes, Vanessa Williams even performs "Spanish Rose", with some slight lyric alterations.

A must-own for BIRDIE fans.

Great Soundtrack, Only a few dissapointments!.......2004-01-31

Let me just say this is a wonderful soundtrack for the TV remake of the classic musical "Bye Bye Birdie". Jason Alexander, Vanessa Willams, Chynna Phillips, George Went, Marc Kudisch and Tyne Daly are the lead singing roles, and they are all fantastic. Jason and Vanessa were FANTASTIC as Albert and Rosie, and their singing was very impressive. Jason does great with "Put On A Happy Face", "Talk To Me", "A Giant Step", and others. Vanessa blew me away with "An English Teacher", "Lets Settle Down", "Spanish Rose", and others. Chynna Phillips...well, I think she has a nice voice she sounds pretty good with her songs, but she is bit too old for the role of Kim. But she did good with "How Lovely To Be A Woman", "One Boy" and others. George Went is fabolous as Kim's father, and does very well with "Ed Sullivan", and "Kids". Broadway star Marc Kudisch makes a GREAT Conrad, I was very impressed with his performance he does great with "Honestly Sincere", and "One Last Kiss". And.. Tyne Daly as Mae Peterson is just fantastic, she just so great, and her song "A Mother Dosent Matter Anymore" is wonderful!

The only thing that dissapoints me with this soundtrack is... Not all the songs from the movie are included on this CD. The wonderful "Bye Bye Birdie" in the malt shop with the Sweet Apple Girls, isn't included here, which really dissapoints me, because that was a great song and wonderful arrangement of "Bye Bye Birdie". Also Alberts "What Did I Ever See In Her?" isn't here, and also Rosie's reprise of her "Lets Settle Down". I would've been so happy if those songs were included, but what can we do now...