The Grass Harp (1971 Original Broadway Cast) [Cast Recording]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The Grass Harp is a charming little story about two spinster sisters and their dispute over a folk remedy called dropsy cure. Based on the novella by Truman Capote, which also became a 1996 film, this musical features a score by Claibe Richardson (who wrote the music for the 1998 concept album Night of the Hunter) with lyrics by Kenward Elmslie. The sound is mostly traditional Broadway, but Richardson also throws in a few Bacharach-esque '70s pop grooves. Headlining the cast is Barbara Cook, and while this may not be the deepest score she's ever wrapped her golden voice around, she'll have you humming the rousing march "Yellow Drum" for a long time. The show lasted only a week on Broadway in 1971, but is preserved in this reissue of the original cast recording. An extra bonus is two songs cut from the original production but recorded elsewhere--"I Trust the Wrong People," sung by Elaine Stritch, and "Brazil," sung by George Rose. A synopsis is included, but no lyrics. --David Horiuchi

The Grass Harp (1971 Original Broadway Cast), Music, Claibe Richardson, Kenward Elmslie, Barbara Cook, Cast Recordings, Original Cast Recordings, Pop, Showtunes / B'way

Average customer rating:

One of the finest scores of a flop show

A Score to Cherish

Wonderful music in a missed niche

Seriously mishandled

Whacky 70's

The Grass Harp (1971 Original Broadway Cast)
Claibe Richardson , Kenward Elmslie , and Barbara Cook
Manufacturer: Varese Sarabande
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B00000JMKR
Release Date: 1999-07-13

Tracks:

Overture - Claibe Richardson
Dropsy Cure Weather - Barbara Cook/Carol Brice/Russ Thacker
Floozies - Russ Thacker
Big Rich - Max Showalter
If There's Love Enough - Carol Brice
Yellow Drum - Barbara Cook/Carol Brice/Russ Thacker
Marry With Me - Carol Brice
Chain Of Love - Barbara Cook
This One Day - Russ Thacker
The Babylove Miracle Show - Karen Morrow/Barbara Cook/Russ Thacker/Caol Brice/The Company
Indian Blues - Carol Brice
What Do I Do Now? - Ruth Ford
Reach Out - Karen Morrow/Barbara Cook/Russ Thacker/Caol Brice/The Company
Finale: Yellow Drum - The Company
The One And Only Person In The World - Max Showalter
I Trust The Wrong People - Elaine Stritch
Brazil - George Rose

Amazon.com

The Grass Harp is a charming little story about two spinster sisters and their dispute over a folk remedy called dropsy cure. Based on the novella by Truman Capote, which also became a 1996 film, this musical features a score by Claibe Richardson (who wrote the music for the 1998 concept album Night of the Hunter) with lyrics by Kenward Elmslie. The sound is mostly traditional Broadway, but Richardson also throws in a few Bacharach-esque '70s pop grooves. Headlining the cast is Barbara Cook, and while this may not be the deepest score she's ever wrapped her golden voice around, she'll have you humming the rousing march "Yellow Drum" for a long time. The show lasted only a week on Broadway in 1971, but is preserved in this reissue of the original cast recording. An extra bonus is two songs cut from the original production but recorded elsewhere--"I Trust the Wrong People," sung by Elaine Stritch, and "Brazil," sung by George Rose. A synopsis is included, but no lyrics. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews:

One of the finest scores of a flop show.......2004-10-05

I can't believe I didn't discover this score sooner. The music is some of the most gorgeous and unusual I've ever heard. Songs like "Dropsy-Cure Weather", "Chain of Love", "Reach Out", "Yellow Drum" and the bravura musical scene "Babylove's Miracle Show" are absolutely impossible to forget. A few have criticized Collin's numbers as being "cheesy 70s trash", but I actually think they're very appropriate for the character and incredibly catchy. It's really unfortunate that none of Claibe Richardson's shows have seemed to work very well onstage, because his music is lush, suprising, deep, and deeply moving. Not only does this album have all this great music to recommend it, but it also has Barbara Cook, Broadway's all-time greatest vocalist, in her last book show to date. She's truly remarkable, making songs like "Chain of Love" complex one-act playlets. One thing that's often forgotten about Cook is how fine an actress she is, and that quality is ever-present here, as Cook takes a very unusual, free-spirited character and makes her a singular creation. The performances of Russ Thacker, Karen Morrow (one of the classic flop indicators), and the great Carol Brice are also pungent and vivid. Highly recommended for any Broadway lover!

A Score to Cherish.......2002-07-23

This exhilarating recording is essential to any serious musical theater enthusiast. The thrilling, varied score, with stunning orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick, comes across in all its glory. Barbara Cook is in magnificent form on the luxurious "Chain of Love" and the poignant "Reach Out." One of Broadway's great vocalists, Karen Morrow, dares you to stay in your seat on the dynamic "The Babylove Miracle Show." The rambunctious Russ Thacker brings full conviction to "Floozies," a hilarious pean to a teenage boy's naive sexual fantasies. Carol Brice shines on "Marry with Me," having received a post card marriage proposal from Bill but not knowing from which Bill it was sent. The company brings home the driving force of the uplifting march of freedom, "Yellow Drum." First class all the way - material and production - this score grows richer with each hearing. A delicate gem of a show for any theater company brave enough to give its audience an extraordinary, unusal musical it doesn't already know. This recording makes it easy to understand why THE GRASS HARP has long been considered one of the lost treasures of the musical theater.

Wonderful music in a missed niche.......2001-10-28

This is a score of a show that for several reasons didn't become a hit on Broadway. Personally I blame the book, but, hey, you might have your own opinion. I just don't think it lives up to the lush rapture of songs like "Chain of Love" or the thrilling spirit of "The Babylove Miracle Show." As one of the other reviewers dared you to listen to "Floozies" and not laugh, I invite you to listen to it and laugh loudly because it was written as a comedic song and a rather good one as well!

I strongly recommend this to anyone who is looking for recordings of obscure musicals. And even if you don't share my passion for the show, you'll still have a recording featuring Barbara Cook, and that will always be a good thing!