The Ethel Merman Disco Album

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The title says it all. This is the disco album "the Merm" recorded in 1979, a few years before her death. Rumor has it that Merman couldn't stand the disco craze that was sweeping the nation in the late '70s, recording her vocals before the instrumental tracks were laid down. Masterminded by Peter Matz, who produced, arranged, and conducted the whole thing, Merman's disco album is one of those jaw-dropping, "what were they thinking?" UFOs that periodically land on the pop landscape. Merman (at her most bombastic, vibrato-laden) barrels through eight of her signature tunes. All are taken at breakneck speed, and even dramatic show-stoppers, such as "Everything's Coming Up Roses" (from Gypsy), become dance-floor burners. Whether you find the album simply horrifying or an entrancing testimony to the power of people to lose their heads as they fall prey to a dance fad, this collision between two completely different American musical traditions is nothing short of, ahem, breathtaking. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

The Ethel Merman Disco Album, Music, Ethel Merman, Disco, Nostalgia, Pop, Pop Vocals, Swing, Traditional Pop, Vaudeville, Vocal

Average customer rating:

Let's Call It Unique

It's like "Showgirls" but on vinyl

Ethel Merman Disco Album

Horrable And Comical Vocals To A Gr8 Disco Production

A "Must" for Camp Collectors...And a Real Crowd Pleaser

Ethel Merman Disco Album
Ethel Merman
Manufacturer: Varese Sarabande
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B000084TTG
Release Date: 2003-01-28

There's No Business Like Show Business
Everything's Coming Up Roses
I Get a Kick Out of You
Something For The Boys
Some People
Alexander's Ragtime Band
I Got Rhythm
They Say It's Wonderful (Bonus Track)

Amazon.com

The title says it all. This is the disco album "the Merm" recorded in 1979, a few years before her death. Rumor has it that Merman couldn't stand the disco craze that was sweeping the nation in the late '70s, recording her vocals before the instrumental tracks were laid down. Masterminded by Peter Matz, who produced, arranged, and conducted the whole thing, Merman's disco album is one of those jaw-dropping, "what were they thinking?" UFOs that periodically land on the pop landscape. Merman (at her most bombastic, vibrato-laden) barrels through eight of her signature tunes. All are taken at breakneck speed, and even dramatic show-stoppers, such as "Everything's Coming Up Roses" (from Gypsy), become dance-floor burners. Whether you find the album simply horrifying or an entrancing testimony to the power of people to lose their heads as they fall prey to a dance fad, this collision between two completely different American musical traditions is nothing short of, ahem, breathtaking. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews:

Let's Call It Unique.......2007-03-03

After listening to The Ethel Merman Disco Album, here's what I think happened: Some crafty record producer slipped acid into Ethel's Cracklin Oat Bran, then whisked her off to the studio to lay down these tracks while she was still tripping. "It's a full house! Everybody's here! Now get out there and give it all ya got, Ethel. It's Showtime!"

I'll rate this album at four stars out of respect for Ethel Merman's talent and for the wackiness of her agreeing to this project in the first place. Her voice is in excellent shape; it just doesn't mix with dubbed-in disco. The sound is formulaic, with drum machines, disembodied backup singers, and all the trappings of the cheesiest of the disco sound. "I Got Rhythm" begins with only piano accompaniment and is lovely, but sure enough, the drum machine kicks in again and we're back on Fellini's dance floor.

Listen for yourself!

It's like "Showgirls" but on vinyl.......2006-05-22

Listen to the music on this thing and you can understand why there was a backlash against disco in the late 1970's. The beats are robotic, indistinguishable, mind-numbingly dull and barely listenable. Plus, for a broadway star to make a disco-dance record is nuts; this woman was totally out of her element. This would be like Zamfir making a techno record. That said, it is God-awfully hilarious in the sheer depth of its badness. To sing with such conviction over such dreck and dreadfully wretched music tracks takes real balls. It's a performance that can only be rivaled by that of the multi-talented Elizabeth Berkley in "Showgirls". In other words, it's so bad that it just sucks you in and won't let you go.

Ethel Merman Disco Album.......2005-01-25

This is the best album I've heard in years!
I am both a showtune and disco lover... and I absolutely loved this album! So do all my friends!! I so highly recommend this album to all music lovers-- and light hearted people who enjoy life!

Horrable And Comical Vocals To A Gr8 Disco Production.......2004-11-24

Basicly i'll say this...this LP is a shame that the great musical production was wasted on a joke none the less. The vocals are hillarious! However, the music in itself if your a fan of true disco music is worth having this for. I dont own this CD but have the vinyl..so havent heard the bonus cut. But, musicly there are signs of Alec R Costandinos, Patick Adams and Vincent Montana. On "Some People" (which is prob the best track on the LP cause theres not many vocals), theres a solid sax solo and production in it that you'd swear was Montana/Salsoul Orchestra stuff..but then the vocals ruin it LOL. But anyhow, the 5 stars is for the musical production and comedy combined in one!

A "Must" for Camp Collectors...And a Real Crowd Pleaser.......2004-11-10

I've owned the vinyl for years, and it never ceases to make an impression on visitors, who can scarcely believe such a thing existed. Although it is one of those late-era disco pieces that sounds forumulaic and the programmed beat canned, it IS indeed listenable because of the strength of the underlying broadway classics (by Irving Berlin, others) and the novelty of Merman's unmistakable voice & delivery. Be popular! Everyone wants to hear it, often more than once! I keep mine in a glass case alongside my Michael Jackson -brand soda can, bigfoot tracks, Sea Monkeys other cultural curiousities, until it's time to "boogie."

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