Broadway: The Music of Richard Rodgers

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Julie Andrews's early film successes (The Sound of Music and Mary Poppins) were a mixed blessing. They turned her into a screen star of the greatest magnitude but they also landed her with the image of the bright, nicely spoken nanny with a song for every occasion. In these estuary-voweled times, her crystalline diction might be less fashionable than ever. But years of lampooning have tended to obscure the fact that she is also one of the greatest musical stars of the 20th century, a highly skilled interpreter of lyrics and a fine actress. In 1994, she returned to the recording studio for this polished selection of Richard Rodgers standards, including "The Sound of Music" and "Edelweiss," as well as a sweeping medley of waltzes (written with Oscar Hammerstein and Stephen Sondheim), and some beautiful ballads ("My Funny Valentine" and "If I Loved You"). Inevitably, the voice is darker in places, an unfortunate reminder of future problems that would lead to a musically disastrous throat operation. But the control and phrasing are as sharp as ever, maturity has brought new texture to her reading of the material, and the whole production drips with class. --Piers Ford --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Broadway: The Music of Richard Rodgers, Music, Julie Andrews, Original Cast Recordings, Pop, Show Tunes, Showtunes / B'way, Traditional Pop
South Pacific in Concert from Carnegie Hall
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Better than I could have imagined
  • Fantastic
  • Sensational!
  • Truly wonderful!
  • WHAT AN AWESOME PERFORMANCE!
 South Pacific in Concert from Carnegie Hall
Richard Rodgers , Oscar Hammerstein II , Reba McEntire , Brian Stokes Mitchell , and Alec Baldwin
Manufacturer: Decca Broadway
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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  1. South Pacific in Concert from Carnegie Hall
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ASIN: B000EMG9AY
Release Date: 2006-04-18

Tracks:

  1. Overture
  2. Dites-Moi / Oh, and what's that flower over there?
  3. A Cock-Eyed Optimist
  4. So when you joined the Navy...
  5. Twin Soliloquies
  6. One waits so long for what is good
  7. Some Enchanted Evening
  8. Dites-Moi (Reprise)
  9. Bloody Mary
  10. Say, is that a boar's tooth bracelet on your wrist?
  11. There Is Nothin' Like A Dame
  12. Ah, hello... you make trouble for me?
  13. Bali Ha'i
  14. Bali H'ai (Reprise)
  15. So tell us, Nellie, what did old Ironbelly want?
  16. I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair
  17. Hello, is that a new American song?
  18. Some Enchanted Evening (Reprise)
  19. Will you come to my party Friday?
  20. A Wonderful Guy
  21. What should I do, Captain? / Bali H'ai (Reprise)
  22. You wait, Lootellan...
  23. Younger Than Springtime & Bali H'ai (Reprise)
  24. A Wonderful Guy (Reprise)
  25. This Is How It Feels & A Cock-Eyed Optimist (Reprise)
  26. Finale Act 1 - Some Enchanted Evening (Reprise)
  27. Entr'acte
  28. Happy Talk
  29. It is my great pleasure to bring you our skipper...
  30. Honey Bun
  31. You've Got To Be Carefully Taught
  32. This Nearly Was Mine
  33. Well, de Beque, I take off pretty soon for Marie Louise...
  34. Some Enchanted Evening (Reprise)
  35. Alright, Let's Start Those Trucks... / Honey Bun (Reprise)
  36. Finale Act 2 - Dites-Moi (Reprise)

Amazon.com

From the second the majestic overture of Rodgers and Hammerstein's 1949 show starts, you know you're in for a treat: In this age of diminished Broadway pits, hearing the 45-piece Orchestra of St. Luke's firing on all cylinders is just thrilling. And that's only the beginning of the fun in this most traditional, most delightful musical, recorded live at Carnegie Hall in June 2005. As Nellie Forbush, Reba McEntire deploys a homespun Southern charm that works marvels against the urbane Emile de Becque, i.e., Brian Stokes Mitchell and his impossibly buttery baritone (check out his rendition of "Some Enchanted Evening"). Of course we shouldn't be surprised, since country star Reba had turned out to be musical-theater star Reba when she replaced Bernadette Peters in Annie Get Your Gun on Broadway. Here, she brightly delivers classics (yes, the show is packed with them) like "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair" and "A Wonderful Guy." And let's not forget Lillias White, chewing the scenery in spectacular fashion as Bloody Mary ("Bali Ha'i," "Happy Talk"--what was that about the show being packed with memorable tunes again?). When the classic American musical is done with such gusto, it's hard not to be won over. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Better than I could have imagined.......2007-06-09

To compare this recording with the original cast recordings of the 1950's is like comparing a jr. high science experiment with a space shuttle launch. Reba McIntyre is wonderful, giving a slight country twang just where and when it was needed (wasn't Nellie from Arkansas, after all?) And what can one say about Mr. Mitchell? That booming baritone filled every nook and cranny of Carnagie Hall, and his clever, halted, French-accented dialogue made his character interpretation enjoyable and realistic. Danieley and White were probably who Rogers and Hammerstein had in mind when they wrote this musical. I loved every song and every word of dialogue.

5 out of 5 stars Fantastic.......2007-05-14

A great recoding. I think Reba makes a much more believable Nellie than Mary did. I keep it in my car, to play frequently.

5 out of 5 stars Sensational!.......2007-03-25

I approached watching this production on PBS with some trepidation, especially after the R&H organization's last attempt at mounting this piece, that hideous television film version with Glenn Close.

I was especially wary of the casting of a "country" singer to play Nellie. But Reba's warmth and sincerity in the role won me over. This was a splendid choice. Nellie is indeed a "hick" and Reba takes that character clue quite literally. Though the role was originally written for a girl from Texas, Mary Martin, she never took the character too far in that direction, at least from the evidence of the cast recording and the television performances I've seen. But Reba does, quite courageously, never totally shedding her "country" approach to the role, and yet, really singing it! Quite an achievement.

The rest of the casting achieves the same level of perfection. Stokes-Mitchell is not quite an opera singer (the role was written for Ezio Pinza, an operatic bass-baritone) but he manages the part nicely, though his "French" accent is a little inconsistent. Alec Baldwin is totally hilarious as Billis, taking the role in another direction than others have, but it works.

Someone here commented on the casting of black actors in the Polynesian roles, rather than using Asian actors. I would normally agree with the writer, but not in this instance. This show was written in 1949 to directly address the racial inequality between blacks and whites in mid-century America in a way that had never been done before, and in the orginal production, black actors were used to make just that point. This is an attempt to do an "authentic" production, true to the show's original intent. So I respect the producers' decision in this production.

This concert performance is "authentic" in that it uses all of Bennett's original orchestrations, which are a joy to hear, and most if not all of the dialogue, keeping all the songs in their original context. Some songs that never made sense to me in the original cast recording, heard here in context for the first time, suddenly make total sense.

In a way, I prefer the CD of thios performance to the video presentation. One can listen to it and imagine this is NOT a concert performance, but a fully staged one, with a live audience present. It's quite an authentic experience. I did not see the original Broadway production, but I did see the New York City Opera's revival in 1965, and this audio recording helps me relive those memories of a live stage performance.

5 out of 5 stars Truly wonderful!.......2007-02-06

"South Pacific" seems to be one of those "forgotten" classics of the musical theatre. The score is magnificent, and the overture is enough get a dead man's heart beating again.

There's not enough to say about Brian Stokes Mitchell. I first saw him in "Kiss of the Spider Woman" and haven't missed his starring roles since them. His version of "This Nearly Was Mine" gave me chills. He is a truly gifted performer.

Reba McIntire is obviously having a great time with the role of Nellie Forbush. She's endearing in the role, and I hope she finds other avenues besides country music to show off her talents.

I liked Alec Baldwin's portrayal of Luther very much. He's not exactly a major musical talent, but he gives it all he's got.

Very highly recommended!

5 out of 5 stars WHAT AN AWESOME PERFORMANCE!.......2007-02-01

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS RENDITION OF THE STAGE PLAY. I LISTEN TO IT AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK, OFTEN DAILY. YOU WILL LOVE IT!
Showtime! Music of Broadway and Hollywood
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Can't beat MoTab
 Showtime! Music of Broadway and Hollywood

Manufacturer: Mormon Tabernacle Choir
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000LV639A
Release Date: 2007-02-01

Tracks:

  1. When You Wish Upon A Star
  2. Who Will Buy?
  3. Where Is Love?
  4. Not While I'm Around
  5. Sunrise, Sunset
  6. Bring Him Home
  7. Hymn To The Fallen
  8. You'll Never Walk Alone
  9. Never Never Land
  10. Come To My Garden
  11. Over The Rainbow
  12. Fill The World With Love
  13. The Impossible Dream
  14. In Dreams
  15. Circle Of Life

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Can't beat MoTab.......2007-03-26

When I looked through the song list on the CD I knew that I had to have it. The songs on the album are classics and anything done by The Mormon Tabernacle Choir is great. The music is so peaceful. If you like The mormon Tabernacle Choir or just the songs on the CD I would highly recomend it.
The Best of Broadway - The American Musical (PBS Series)
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Some interesting choices, indeed
  • Great CD
  • Great selections, but bad transfers
  • Yes this is Some of the Best of Broadway!
  • The music of Broadway comes alive
 The Best of Broadway - The American Musical (PBS Series)

Manufacturer: Decca Broadway
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0002W4T9E
Release Date: 2004-10-05

Tracks:

  1. There's No Business Like Show Business
  2. Swanee
  3. Ol' Man River
  4. You're The Top
  5. Oklahoma
  6. Luck Be A Lady
  7. I Could Have Danced All Night
  8. America
  9. My Favorite Things
  10. People
  11. If I Were A Rich Man
  12. The Impossible Dream
  13. Cabaret
  14. Let The Sunshine In
  15. Send In The Clowns
  16. One
  17. Tomorrow
  18. Memory
  19. The Music Of The Night
  20. Good Morning Baltimore
  21. Defying Gravity

Amazon.com

A companion to the fabulous PBS series, the 21-song, 77-minute The Best of "Broadway: The American Musical" provides about as good a single-disc compilation as anyone could hope for. (There's also a five-CD version.) What sets it apart from so many other "best of Broadway" collections is its breadth--because it had access to a variety of record-label vaults it doesn't have to try to disguise gaps by using revivals or solo recordings. Here you get all the authentic stuff, including: Paul Robeson singing "Ol' Man River" from the first modern American musical, Show Boat; Ethel Merman singing "You're the Top"; the title song from Oklahoma!; Julie Andrews singing "I Could Have Danced All Night" from My Fair Lady; West Side Story's "America"; Betty Buckley singing "Memory" from Cats; Hairspray's "Good Morning Baltimore"; and "Defying Gravity" from Wicked, the newest show discussed in the PBS series. And it's hard to argue with the songwriters represented: Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern, Cole Porter, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Frank Loesser, Lerner and Loewe, Leonard Bernstein, Bock and Harnick, Kander and Ebb, Stephen Sondheim, and Andrew Lloyd Webber, among others. Obviously, no single-disc compilation could ever please everyone (did we really need two ALW songs?), but as a sampler intended for people who watched the series and want to hear more of the Great White Way, The Best of "Broadway: The American Musical" can't be topped. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Some interesting choices, indeed.......2006-03-02

This is a pretty good compilation, but I have to wonder at some of the choices that went into it.
"Good Morning Baltimore" is almost the least impressive song from Hairspray. "You Can't Stop the Beat" was a much more anthemic song from that show.
I agree that it's too bad Les Mis didn't make it in. I would have traded that for anything Sondheim, although that's a personal preference :) .
Still, the opportunity to hear the original performers and orchestras perform these works, all in one place, is a great deal.

5 out of 5 stars Great CD.......2005-11-01

This one plays in the car, on the ipod and in the house. When the kids were little they would ask if we could take them to "The Street". That is what they called Broadway (little did they know at that time how famous that street is). They still love it and we can not get enough of it. This CD covers the best and makes you want to go and see a live performance. You can not beat that.

4 out of 5 stars Great selections, but bad transfers.......2005-07-27

This is a great taste of broadway. If you enjoyed the B'Way series at all, then you will probably enjoy this CD. My problem with it is that some of the songs sound like they were not remastered at all- the transfer to CD is terrible. The orchestrations in "You're the top" by Ethel Merman are muffled, and the song sounds like it was taken straight from an old record and slapped onto the CD without fixing it up. It doesn't sound very clear, which is a bit upsetting and annoying. Maybe this is just because that particular recording is older than some of the songs chosen to be on this CD. The more modern songs sound crisp and new and beautiful. "Swanee" is also very low quality as if it were just taken off of a record and put on the CD without any restoration. I just feel that these songs deserved better treatment and that we as customers deserve better treatment. Decca could have restored these songs and made them sound really good, but they decided just to slap them on the CD without touching them up.

I am surprised that nothing was chosen to be on this recording from Les Miserables since it had been on Broadway for 16 years and its tour is running until 2006. There were selections from Cats, Phantom of the Opera and Wicked, so I am not sure why nothing was chosen from Les Miserables.

Other than these few nit pickings, I think that this is a great introduction to musicals. It gives a little taste across the spectrum. Try getting the cast recordings of the songs that you really like on this collection. It's worth buying if you're a huge broadway fan.

5 out of 5 stars Yes this is Some of the Best of Broadway!.......2005-04-08

This CD from Decca Broadway is a wonderful selection of some of

the "Greatest Hits" of the Broadway stage. Decca and Sony have

done an excellent job of remastering the various recordings, some

of which still show some of their age, but come across quite

well. Are there a lot of songs that I would have put on this

disc? Yes, but the ones on here are good choices. I may have to

get a copy of the Five disc set and the DVD's just to see if any

more of my favorites made it on the list. What this disc seems to

try to do is show the evolution of the Broadway song from it's

early days to the present. It succeeds quite well I think.

If you enjoy Broadway theater this CD is a must!

5 out of 5 stars The music of Broadway comes alive.......2004-10-07

I loved listening to this CD. The music from Broadway's best loved musicals are on this album. I recogized most of these songs, even though I've only seen a few of them on the local stage. I have so many favorites on this CD. It is hard to pick one. I'm a big fan of Barbara Streisand. I loved her performance of People from Funny Girl. Memory is the hit song from the musical Cats. Betty Buckley's performance of this song is so emotional and sincere.

I loved the song Annie. It is a wonderfully optimistic song performed by the original Annie Andrea McArdle. Another highlight for me is the song One performed by the cast of a Chorus Line. Luck Be A Lady Tonight is another of my favorite broadway songs on this CD from Guys and Dolls. The music of the night is a beautiful song by Michael Crawford from Phantom of the Opera. Richard Kiley has such a strong and powerful voice. He sounds so inspirational singing The Impossible Dream from Man from La Mancha. My dream is to see some musicals on Broadway someday and listen to these songs performed live.

I'm surprised that there isn't any music from Miss Saigon or Jesus Christ Superstar included here. I think they are classic musicals with great songs Maybe they will appear on a future compilation from PBS.
Greatest Hits: Broadway
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Great to Hear All those great Voices from the Past
  • A Good One!
 Greatest Hits: Broadway

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000029PM
Release Date: 1996-10-29

Tracks:

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

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars 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!

5 out of 5 stars 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!
With a Song In My Heart (from the 1952 film)/ Pal Joey (with 1952 cast members)
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • with a song in my heart/pal joey sound tracks
  • With A Song In My Heart CD
  • A Jane Froman double feature.
  • "Pal Joey's" Pal
  • another great twofer from DRG
 With a Song In My Heart (from the 1952 film)/ Pal Joey (with 1952 cast members)

Manufacturer: Drg
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000AGWH6
Release Date: 2003-08-26

Tracks:

  1. Opening
  2. It's A Good Day
  3. Tea For Two
  4. Blue Moon
  5. That Old Feeling
  6. Embraceable You
  7. Get Happy
  8. I'll Walk Alone
  9. They're Either Too Young Or Too Old
  10. I'm Thru With Love
  11. An American Medley
  12. WIth A Song In My Heart
  13. Overture
  14. You Mustn't Kick It Around
  15. I Could Write A Book
  16. Chicago
  17. That Terrific Rainbow
  18. What Is A Man?
  19. Happy Hunting Horn
  20. Bewitched
  21. Pal Joey
  22. The Flower Garden Of My Heart
  23. Zip
  24. Plan You Now, Dig You Later
  25. In Our Little Den
  26. Do It The Hard Way
  27. Take Him
  28. Bewitched (Reprise)
  29. Finale

Album Description

First time collection on CD! This Jane Froman package features the 1952 Broadway Revival of "Pal Joey" (where Jane provided the lead vocals for Vivienne Segal) along with the original soundtrack to "With Song in My Heart" - the 1952 film starring Susan Hayward in the life story of Jane Forman (Jane provided vocals for the film). The classic Rodgers & Hart "Pal Joey" album also features a standout performance from a young Elaine Stritch singing her showstopper "Zip." Digitally Remastered.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars with a song in my heart/pal joey sound tracks.......2007-03-31

I actually was so pleased to see a CD available because I have been longing for the movie "with a song in my heart" to become available on VHS and then on DVD, and it never has, so now at least I can enjoy the songs from the movie. The cast track from Pal Joey was just an added bonus.

5 out of 5 stars With A Song In My Heart CD.......2007-03-19

I saw the film, "With A Song In My Heart" when I was twelve or thirteen years old and have wanted the sound track for many years. As an impressionable teenager in the 1950s, I have collected over time many of the films from that time on VHS or DVD, to satisfy my memories of the period. I regret that this particular film is not available on VHS or DVD, but, this CD is the next best choice. It is really enjoyable to hear the richness and depth of the voice of Jane Froman, who was one of the best singers of the time. I can still recall many scenes from the film and this CD revives the memories so well.

4 out of 5 stars A Jane Froman double feature........2006-09-16

This DRG CD pairs two recordings starring Jane Froman.

WITH A SONG IN MY HEART

Susan Hayward played Jane Froman in the film but Froman herself dubbed the vocals. This album of songs was originally issued as a 10" Lp. None of the tracks are taken from the film: They are all studio re-recordings. Later, Capitol re-released it as a 12" LP with two extra songs added. It is that expanded [program included here. Froman is in great voice, though the orchestrations are overly lush and string heavy. Still, the songs include such standards as "It's a Good Day", "Get Happy", and "Embraceable You" making for an enjoyable mini-concert.

PAL JOEY

Capitol's cast album of the 1952 revival has long been a collector's item. The original Lp was deleted in 1960 and did not resurface until Broadway Angel released it on CD (briefly) in 1993. As the stars of the revival Harold Lang and Vivienne Segal had already made a studio cast album for Columbia - an album that helped inspire the revival - they were unable to re-record their songs for Capitol, and the label turned to Jane Froman and Dick beavers to fill in. The revised orchestrations sound dated now, but here is a chance to hear Elaine Stritch singing "Zip" and to enjoy the lusty voice of Helen Gallagher early in her career.

In the end it's the WITH A SONG IN MY HEART selections (making their debut on CD here) that make this CD worthwhile. For PAL JOEY the studio recording (available from SONY) is preferable, however if one is so inclined you can assemble your own cast album of the '52 revival by combining tracks from both releases.

4 out of 5 stars "Pal Joey's" Pal.......2006-07-30

While the legubrious and over-orchestrated songs from the film "With a Song in My Heart" are typical of their era (and Jane Froman's stilted renditions are what once stood for emoting) the "Pal Joey" cast recording is an absolute delight. The orchestrations are bouncy and jazzy in a way that has long been forgotten, and the performances (except for the aforementioned Ms. Froman, whose Vulgnarian renditions are at times quite disconcerting, and who hits the sonic notes like lazer beems but misses the emotional ones by a country mile) are exceptional. Helen Gallagher deserved her Tony from the evidence of this recording, with Elaine Stritch not far behind her. But the overall impact surpasses any recording of "Joey" including the historic one that lead to this revival. There's energy, intensity and a whole lot of fantastic song writing (leave it to to Rogers and Hart) to satisfy any musical theater fan. A must have for anyone who loves "Old Broadway."

4 out of 5 stars another great twofer from DRG.......2004-01-21

Jane Froman was one of the top vocalists of her era. Froman's greatness is celebrated in this new 2-on-1 album, which comprises the film soundtrack of WITH A SONG IN MY HEART as well as the 1952 Broadway revival cast album of PAL JOEY.

WITH A SONG IN MY HEART was the life story of Jane Froman, with the lovely Susan Hayward in the lead role. Froman herself supplied the singing for the film. Numbers include "It's a Good Day", the bittersweet and humorous "They're Either Too Young or Too Old", "Blue Moon", "Get Happy", "Tea for Two" and "I'm Thru with Love".

The 1952 Broadway revival of PAL JOEY was the result of the huge success of a studio album released by Columbia the year before (which featured Vivienne Segal reprising her original role of Vera and Harold Lang as Joey). Segal and Lang headlined the new revival with Helen Gallagher (SWEET CHARITY, HAZEL FLAGG) as Gladys Bumps and Elaine Stritch (ON YOUR TOES, GOLDILOCKS) as reporter Melba Snyder.

Having already recorded their roles for the Columbia album, Segal and Lang saw little need in re-recording them for the revival album on the Capitol label. Instead, the roles of Vera and Joey were covered by Jane Froman and Dick Beavers.

The cast album suffers on many levels. First, the absence of Segal and Lang is quite distracting, and secondly the new Overture can't even compare with the scintillanting original.

The Columbia studio album is the version to buy in addition to this, though both albums have their strong and weak points. As per usual, Elaine Stritch brings her impressive and formidable comic timing to the fore in the show-stopping "Zip", and Helen Gallagher's silvery voice is perfect for "That Terrific Rainbow".

A fine addition to your collection. [DRG 19054]
The Sound of Music (1959 Original Broadway Cast)
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Musical.
  • rosielyn
  • Mary Martin in THE SOUND OF MUSIC
  • Movie Sountrack More Enjoyable
  • MARY MARTIN FOREVER
 The Sound of Music (1959 Original Broadway Cast)
Richard Rodgers , Oscar Hammerstein II , Mary Martin , and Theodore Bikel
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:
  1. My Fair Lady (1956 Original Broadway Cast)
  2. South Pacific (Original 1949 Broadway Cast)
  3. The Music Man (1957 Original Broadway Cast)
  4. Camelot (1960 Original Broadway Cast)
  5. The King and I: A Decca Broadway Original Cast Album (Original 1951 Broadway Cast)

ASIN: B00000AG6Y
Release Date: 1998-09-15

Tracks:

  1. Act I: Preludium
  2. Act I: The Sound Of Music
  3. Act I: Maria
  4. Act I: My Favorite Things
  5. Act I: Do-Re-Mi
  6. Act I: Sixteen Going On Seventeen
  7. Act I: The Lonely Goatherd
  8. Act I: How Can Love Survive?
  9. Act I: The Sound Of Music (Reprise)
  10. Act I: Laendler
  11. Act I: So Long, Farewell
  12. Act I: Climb Ev'ry Mountain
  13. Act II: No Way To Stop It
  14. Act II: An Ordinary Couple
  15. Act II: Processional
  16. Act II: Sixteen Going On Seventeen (Reprise)
  17. Act II: Edelweiss
  18. Act II: Climb Ev'ry Mountain (Reprise)
  19. Bonus Track: The Sound Of Music-A Symphonic Picture For Orchestra
  20. Bonus Track: Do-Re-Mi

Amazon.com

Most of the civilized world identifies this Rodgers and Hammerstein classic with the Robert Wise film, one of the most successful movie musicals of all time ("The Sound of Money," critic Pauline Kael termed it). Which is why this recording can be so disconcerting. Not only are there different tunes ("How Can Love Survive," "Laendler," "No Way to Stop It," but no "Confidence" or "Something Good," both written for the film), but Captain Von Trapp is played by heavyset folksinger Theodore Bikel, a far cry from young Christopher Plummer. Mary Martin was not only much older than the film's Julie Andrews, she wasn't even British! Then again, neither was the real Maria--and the stage version is, in many ways, more faithful to the Von Trapp Family Singers' true story. --Bill Holdship

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Musical........2007-03-03

This is the original version of The Sound of Music starring Mary Martin.. She does a wonderful job, I especially like the Lonely Goatherd.
A real difference from the Julie Andrews version. With extra songs left out of the film and one changed song. I thrououghly recommend this title.

4 out of 5 stars rosielyn.......2007-01-13

This is the Sound of Music of my childhood. I never saw the show, but the music was all over when I was growing up. I have seen the movie many times, and went on the Sound of Music tour in Salzburg recently. So I got the original soundtrack. The movie is wonderful, but the music from the stage musical is much better. For one thing, they got the singers for their musical ability. No offense to Julie Andrews, a great actor and singer, but the music was written for Mary Martin, and it does show. The stage show did not have the benfit of the scenery of the movie, so the music in the stage show makes up for that. It's more about music, and less an accompaniment to the beautiful scenery around Salzburg. So watch the movie, and listen to this soundtrack

4 out of 5 stars Mary Martin in THE SOUND OF MUSIC.......2007-01-11

Although the recording techniques were not as advanced as today, this recording is a wonderful reproduction of the original version of THE SOUND OF MUSIC. The digital sizzle of today's recordings is missing---but it sure beats vinyl. It's hard to believe that the first time audiences heard this music was not Julie Andrews in the 1956 movie version. Mary Martin was considered one of the musical theatre's first ladies and for students and fans of the art form, hearing her unique approach to the music should be very enlightening. Since Oscar Hammerstein died in 1960, one can assume that he had a good deal of input into the production of this recording. In effect we are listening to the musical, as the creators wanted us to hear it.

3 out of 5 stars Movie Sountrack More Enjoyable.......2006-10-24

I have always considered myself a true music theatre buff, but never had the chance to listen to this soundtrack in it's entirety until recently.I love Rodgers and Hammerstein without a doubt and the movie musical is classic. I must say I like it considerably better than this original soundrack though, which for me is a rarity. The tempos drag and take away from some of the playfullness of its more popular numbers like Do-Re-Mi. The children do a wonderful job of keeping the energy up through all of their numbers though which distracts from that fact. My biggest complaint with the show though has to be Mary Martin. Her voice is a little too mature and the constant sliding into each and every note she sings is enough to give someone motion sickness. I envision the reverend mother as the children's governess every time she opens her mouth. There is no character or life to her delivery which makes each of her songs almost a chore to listen to. If I didn't have to refer to this soundtrack repeatedly when I choreographed the show, I would have probably discarded it and stuck to the movie soundtrack. That is the problem sometimes with making these shows into movies sometimes though. The deviation from the original can cause little nuances and details to change making it hard to have an honest opinion on one or the other. In my opinion, and that's all that it is, the movie soundrack captures the music much more vibrantly and for entertainment and listening pleasure is the more enjoyable of the two.

5 out of 5 stars MARY MARTIN FOREVER.......2006-01-08

O dear!... we're way within the second millenium and..... what more would anyone of us fans of the `musicals' have to add of this OBC album.... after regarding the famous publicity shot of the trio: R. Rodgers, Oscar II and postulant-nun-clad Mary Martin hopping happily ever-after, as light as bird from brier, on the way to their Banks, after the hounds of Münich plagued... I mean `The Sound Of Music' played on Broadway for 1443 performances?

Following the Lunt-Fontanne and the Mark Hellinger Theater runs, we all know so well what happened: IN came the 1965 mamoth-blockbuster film starring First Soprano Assoluta Ms Julie Andrews, directed and supported by Robby Wise and Chris Plummer... aaah, and featuring the ageing, all the more gorgeous-- wishing she had a mouth organ to play-- Eleanor Parker.

"Edelweiss, Edelweiss
Every morning you greet me
Small and white, clean and bright
You look happy to meet me"

(How can we EVER forget Chris Plummer's lovely, lovely inferior lip as he strummed his quaint guitar and lipsinked to this cutie, Alpine song...aaaw!)

Little to add; as we all remember, Andrews finally got her big break into movies via Poppins, Disney, co-star Dick Van Dike et al; she could then stick a stiff tongue out to Audrey Hepburn and she became (almost) every `musical' fan's daaaaarling.....Mary Pickford had preceded Dame Andrews in our granny's hearts, although Pickford --or granny-- could have never prevised Andrew's prodigious DICTION!. Anyway... what about `darling' Mary Martin... (Dallas' JR's mother, didn't you know by now??? )

What might be so laudatory about the 1959 Original Broadway Cast Album of your favourite musical movie? Robert Russel Bennet's orchestrations? Recording producer Goddard Lieberson???? (Who were THEY???) Yeah, I know:.... Mary Martin was too old to play the part of Maria.... Sure! So was Bernhard when she played L'Aiglon (and so was Tennesee's-Vivien Mrs. Stone `too old to play Rosalind' --said Coral Brown). But what about Mary Martin's voice, the awesome brivato, the delivery, the heartfelt every-Do-Re-Mi-notes she sang..... Who can beat her Sixteen-Goin-On-Seventeen-reprise number, or her `An Ordinary Couple torch song? Wwwweeeell.... mmmmm..... just listen to track 2; the title song... That's it, in a nutshell.
Flower Drum Song (1958 Original Broadway Cast)
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • this album is blossoming with good music......
  • A very fine score
  • Wonderful R & H
  • Miyoshi Umeki, Arabella Hong and the OBC
  • Sparkling cast album from Columbia Broadway Masterworks
 Flower Drum Song (1958 Original Broadway Cast)
Oscar Hammerstein II
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:
  1. South Pacific (Original 1949 Broadway Cast)
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  5. Finian's Rainbow (1947 Original Broadway Cast)

ASIN: B00000J28P
Release Date: 1999-05-18

Tracks:

  1. Act 1: Overture
  2. Act 1: You Are Beautiful
  3. Act 1: A Hundred Million Miracles
  4. Act 1: I Enjoy Being A Girl
  5. Act 1: I Am Going To Like It Here
  6. Act 1: Like A God
  7. Act 1: Chop Suey
  8. Act 1: Don't Marry Me
  9. Act 1: Grant Avenue
  10. Act 1: Love, Look Away
  11. Act 1: At The Celestial Bar
  12. Act 1: Entr'acte
  13. Act 2: The Other Generation
  14. Act 2: Sunday
  15. Act 2: The Other Generation (Reprise)
  16. Act 2: Wedding Parade/A Hundred Million Miracles (Reprise)

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars this album is blossoming with good music.............2007-06-06

I was introduced to the original cast of FLOWER DRUM SONG, as a small child, on vinyl. For me, some of the songs (written by Rodgers & Hammerstein) made such an impression that I memorized them in record time and sang them to myself quite loudly! It wasn't until later that I came to recognize the themes of intergenerational and intercultural tensions that arise in this story, set in San Francisco's Chinatown. The original cast shines here, with some of the finest jazzy vocals (including Juanita Hall and Pat Suzuki).

We see an example of a more "traditional" woman, just arriving in the United States from China (played by Miyoshi Umeki) and a modernized woman (Pat Suzuki). They both sing songs that reflect their natures ("I Am Going to Like It Here," is sung by the newly-arrived Mei Li and "I Enjoy Being a Girl" is sung by the fiesty Linda Low, who juggles boyfriends like balls in the air). There are also numerous songs reflecting the tensions ("The Other Generation," "Love Look Away") and joys ("Sunday," "You Are Beautiful") experienced by a community of people brought together by culture, yet divided by cultural awareness and experience.

Though, some may criticize FLOWER DRUM SONG for its stereotypical depictions of the "generic" and presumed Asian experience, I found that the musical possesses a lot of heart and the music totally memorable. I can still remember the lyrics to some of the songs--especially, "I Enjoy Being a Girl," which is really an anthem to all women who enjoy being who they are (yes, it is decidedly "anti-feminist" in nature, but it's fun and upbeat). You will enjoy this, too. Pat Suzuki, a legend in the jazz scene, was a great performer and brought such sass and sauciness to her role as Linda Low here, as well as Jack Soo (BARNEY MILLER), who appeared in this musical. Give it a chance and I think you will enjoy it.

5 out of 5 stars A very fine score.......2007-03-29

The first instinct is to lump this with flops like "Allegro" thanks to its trouble-plagued casting and staging; but all things told (not least of which R&H's hospital stays during production) it's a very fine and apt score, with one of their best songs, the ethereal "Love, Look Away", the sort of thing with its slow, swingy rhythm that should have spread to the world of close harmony (i.e., the doo-woppers) but never did. Hammerstein did some of his most ingenious lyric writing, searching out new rhythms and templates. He must also take blame for turning "I Enjoy Being a Girl" into too much the cross of "A Wonderful Guy" and "Honey Bun" (and yes, someone should have instructed Pat Suzuki about her bikini), and one wonders what if anything went through Oscar's head as he wrote the dummy-like list for "Chop Suey": "Harry Truman, Truman Ca-POAT and Dewey....Hear that lovely 'La Paloma'/Lullaby by Perry COMA...." (Listen for yourself -- this is precisely how the great Juanita Hall sings it.) With R&H one member of the partnership almost always pulled the other out of the muck, and however dubious the project (the politically-correct revival underlined that) they almost always found it within them to create haunting and invigorating tunes -- as most certainly here.

5 out of 5 stars Wonderful R & H.......2006-07-24

Even though FDS was not their biggest hit (still a success by the standards of the day), it did not get great reviews (imagine that, compared to so much that has come since.)And there have been many, many shows with music that has barely survived that were bona fide hits. Hum a tune from Two Gentlemen of Verona? Or The Mystery of Edwin Drood. Oh, to have this quality today!

5 out of 5 stars Miyoshi Umeki, Arabella Hong and the OBC.......2004-08-15

FLOWER DRUM SONG is one of the small gems in the canon of Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals. The score contains some fabulous numbers, including the well-known "I Enjoy Being a Girl", though there is also the heartbreaking 11 o'clock number "Love, Look Away" (which must surely count as one of the duo's best ballads), and rousing numbers like "Grant Avenue".

Miyoshi Umeki has charm and joy to spare in her performance as Mei-Li, the young woman who enters the United States illegally, in order to submit to a forced marriage. Pat Suzuki plays the brash Linda Low, a sexy nightclub entertainer. The cast also includes Juanita Hall (SOUTH PACIFIC), Arabella Hong, Keye Luke and Larry Blyden. The original Broadway production was directed by Gene Kelly but by all accounts it was choreographer Carol Haney who was the real creative heart of the piece. FLOWER DRUM SONG was a modest success, running 600 performances.

5 out of 5 stars Sparkling cast album from Columbia Broadway Masterworks.......2004-01-26

Another example of how record producer Goddard Lieberson could elevate even so-so material and make it sound like a smash hit. The whole disc sparkles!

FLOWER DRUM SONG was NOT a smash hit. It got respectful though not terribly enthusiastic reviews and played out a successful run. The weakness was the book which borrowed too little of C.Y Lee's novel and is filled with weak (some say offensive) stereotype jokes. Hammerstein had a gem of a concept that is blown away in a few minor scenes...that the traditional immigrant parents want to hold onto tradition, while their americanized offspring want to follow modern local customs.
(FIDDLER ON THE ROOF would explore this theme much more fully.)

Still, the whole show was helped to no small extent by the songs and since that is all there is on the record, it actually makes for a highly enjoyable listen.

Miyoshi Umeki as the shy Mei Li contrasts nicely with brassy Pat Suzuki as nightclub singer Linda Low. There is less contrast between Ed Kenny as Wang Ta and Larry Blyden as Sammy Fong, possibly because the men get less of the score. The supporting cast, however, get a good share of the music: Juanita Hall leads the ensemble in "Chop Suey" and duets with Keye Luke lamenting the attitudes of "The Other Gereneration." Arabella Hong does a beautiful job with "Love Look Away" the show's standout ballad, though her character barely registers in the script. (In the novel, Ta's rejection leads her to suicide. In the musical she just disappears after her big number!)

There is a detailed synopsis in the CD booklet if you want to know how the plot ties all these songs together, but it is one of those cast albums where a synopsis is hardly necessary.

The book is in need of a re-write perhaps using more of the Lee novel as its source. The recent Broadway revival used a totally new story and re-allocated the songs. While the new version has its admirers, it is no more related to this FLOWER DRUM SONG than CRAZY FOR YOU relates to GIRL CRAZY..which is to say hardly at all.

The London cast (now out-of-print, but formerlly on Angel) is less impressive. However the movie sountrack (Decca Broadway) has some tasty new orchestrations and retains all but one song from the stage show, so that CD is worth getting...but start with this original cast disc first.
Classic Julie Classic Broadway
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 STARS AND THEN SOME !!
  • Pretty Sad,
  • I FELL IN LOVE WITH JULIE ALL OVER AGAIN
  • A Great Julie Andrews CD
  • Climbing Every Mountain with Mary Poppins
 Classic Julie Classic Broadway

Manufacturer: Decca Broadway
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:
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ASIN: B00005KBBR
Release Date: 2001-06-19

Tracks:

  1. On A Clear Day
  2. A Cock-Eyed Optimist
  3. Hello, Young Lovers
  4. Here I'll Stay
  5. My Fair Lady Shuffle: Overture/Wouldn't It Be Loverly/Let A Woman/Just You Wait/Poor Professional...
  6. Getting To Know You
  7. Living In The Shadows
  8. Bewitched
  9. I Have Dreamed
  10. My Funny Valentine
  11. Camelot Suite: Camelot/The Simple Joys Of Maidenhood/How To Handle A Woman/If Ever I Would...
  12. Crazy World
  13. If I Loved You
  14. Edelweiss
  15. The Sound Of Music

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars 5 STARS AND THEN SOME !!.......2006-02-10

Oh Julie, the songs you sang on this CD are superb. I wish you could still give us that joy. If you can only sing in the low registers, give us jazz!! You can do it I just know you can!!

2 out of 5 stars Pretty Sad, .......2005-10-27

Hollywood veteran Julie Andrews has had a glorious career, but not without its downsides. Her legend is built on "The Sound of Music" and "Mary Poppins" and other glorious roles. Her abilities as a singer were never impressive or great, her voice often sounded weak, but she always knew how to sing around her very limited vocal range. On this collection she performs some of the greatest Broadway tunes ever written and even though she does a good job, her voice just doesn't hold up against many of these tunes. Her warmth is felt all over the album, in "Here I'll Stay" she wraps her gentle, but narrow, voice around it and in "My Funny Valentine" she sticks to the lower register of her voice. However, in the re-recording of her classic "Sound of Music" and in "On a Clear Day You Can See Forever" her voice fails her, it often sounds thin and airy and it's actually quite sad to listen to. When all is said and done Julie Andrews remains a great talent, and most of that talent is largely due to her amazing capability as a performer and her genuine warmth.

5 out of 5 stars I FELL IN LOVE WITH JULIE ALL OVER AGAIN.......2005-06-25

As a young kid growing up in the Philippines I remember my Dad playing his state-of-the-art Aiwa tape recorder back in the 60s and hearing Julie Andrews' voice - truly the voice of an angel! Now, hearing these songs again with adult ears I fell in love with her voice all over again !

5 out of 5 stars A Great Julie Andrews CD.......2002-01-27

If you are a fan of Dame Julie's and musicals, this is the cd for you. It is a compilation of songs from prevously released albums; The King and I, The Music of Richard Rodgers, Here I'll Stay, and Victor/Victoria, Original Broadway Cast Recording.
I found the material to be very well put together giving the listener selections from My Fair Lady, Camelot, The Sound of Music, Victor/Victoria and others. What more could you want?
As for Ms. Andrews, she is superb. There is simply no one like her. I have heard comments that prior to the infamous throat surgery she was unable to handle the difficult material and hit those high notes. This is just not true. All you have to do is listen to these songs recorded in the early 90's to know that she still had a marvelous voice. Lets hope that one day she will be able to sing and record again. If not, these may be her last recordings so treasure them.

The My Fair Lady suite is wonderful and Ms. Andrews definitely hit the high note at the end of "I Could Have Danced All Night".
Her version of "Edelweiss" and "The Sound of Music" are lovely.
Also worth listening to is "Living in the Shadows" written for the Broadway production of Victor/Victoria so you won't find it on the movie soundtrack. The lyrics are by Leslie Bricusse who also penned "Crazy World", which is another great selection on this cd.

Overall this is a cd worth having in your collection, so buy it today. Otherwise you are missing out.

5 out of 5 stars Climbing Every Mountain with Mary Poppins.......2002-01-22

Julie Andrews and her music have been an inspiration to me
every since I stepped into a theater and watched Mary Poppins
(many years ago). I admire her talent and her voice on this CD. I know it is not as clear a voice as she used to have but I still enjoy listening to her. I listen to this CD when I want a "pick me up" and am proud to have it as part of my collection.
The Sound of Music (1998 Broadway Revival Cast)
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Wonderful music!
  • The hills are alive, with the sound of class!
  • Another beautifully done musical revival!
  • Comprehensive new Sound of Music album
  • Cool
 The Sound of Music (1998 Broadway Revival Cast)
Rebecca Luker , Richard Rodgers , and Oscar Hammerstein II
Manufacturer: RCA Victor Broadway
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:
  1. The Sound of Music (1959 Original Broadway Cast)
  2. The King and I (1996 Broadway Revival Cast)
  3. Oklahoma! Broadway (1979 Broadway Revival Cast)
  4. The Sound Of Music (1987 Studio Cast)
  5. The Sound of Music: Piano Play-Along Volume 25 (Hal Leonard Piano Play-Along)

ASIN: B000006OP7
Release Date: 1998-05-19

Tracks:

  1. Act I: Preludium: Dixit Dominus/Morning Hymn/Alleluia
  2. Act I: The Sound Of Music
  3. Act I: Maria
  4. Act I: I Have Confindence
  5. Act I: Do-Re-Mi
  6. Act I: Sixteen Going On Seventeen
  7. Act I: My Favorite Things
  8. Act I: How Can Love Survive?
  9. Act I: The Sound Of Music (Reprise)
  10. Act I: Laendler
  11. Act I: So Long, Farewell
  12. Act I: Climb Ev'ry Mountain
  13. Act II: No Way To Stop It
  14. Act II: Something Good
  15. Act II: Wedding Processional/Canticle
  16. Act II: Sixteen Going On Seventeen (Reprise)
  17. Act II: The Lonely Goatherd
  18. Act II: Edelweiss
  19. Act II: So Long, Farewell (Reprise)
  20. Act II: Finale Ultimo

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Wonderful music!.......2005-08-18

I have the movie soundtrack with Julie Andrews, a version with Mary Martin, but this is my favorite because it includes songs not heard in the movie: How Can Love Survive, No Way to Stop It, and Something Good.

5 out of 5 stars The hills are alive, with the sound of class!.......2002-07-14

I can't emagine a world without the sound of music!
The songs, the film and the stage show are AMAZING! I am currently running in a short term play in the theater Royal, Bath, and i have used this to get a taster of the music!
Popluar songs in my books are
the lonely goatherd
No way to stop it and
so long, farewell.

5 out of 5 stars Another beautifully done musical revival!.......2002-06-12

This is truly a beautiful CD. All of the songs are lovely and it's a great revival of the musical. Rebecca Luker makes a wonderful Maria. It truly deserves all of the stars it can get.

4 out of 5 stars Comprehensive new Sound of Music album.......2002-01-06

While I strongly stand behind my view that the Original 1959 Broadway Cast album with Mary Martin and Theodore Bikel is clearly the album of choice, this new production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC is equally as praiseworthy. Rebecca Luker adds her own charm to the part of Maria, as did Mary Martin and Julie Andrews before her. The Captain's singing is somewhat weak in a few areas when compared with Theodore Bikel and C. Plummer (Plummer was dubbed for the film), but he does very well with it. Patricia Neway from the old album is far and away superior to what we have here and Peggy Wood from the film version (Wood was also dubbed for the film).

While I adore the film and its award winning soundtrack, I regret not seeing this revival when it was still playing on Broadway, as I was in NYC in early '99. This new Broadway cast album deservedly stands right up there with all the rest!

5 out of 5 stars Cool.......2001-11-20

I had never seen the sound of music, until we did it at my school and I fell in love with it and I love all of the songs. I have only heard this CD 1 time but it still sounds just as good as it did to me the first time I heard the songs!!!!!!!!!!! My Favorite songs: No Way to Stop it, How Can Love Survive, and Sixteen Going on Seventeen.
Babes In Arms (1989 Broadway Revival Cast)
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Babes In Arms Review
  • Terrific Recording of a Classic
  • Sparkling recording of Rodgers & Hart score
  • The Rodgers and Hart Hit Parade
  • Awsome
 Babes In Arms (1989 Broadway Revival Cast)

Manufacturer: New World Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:
  1. Babes in Arms
  2. Babes In Arms (1999 City Center Encores! Cast)
  3. The Boys from Syracuse (1997 Studio Cast)
  4. Babes in Arms (Vocal Score Series)
  5. The Drowsy Chaperone (2006 Original Broadway Cast)

ASIN: B0000030ES
Release Date: 1992-12-08

Tracks:

  1. Overture - Members Of The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra/Evans Haile
  2. Where Or When - Judy Blazer/Gregg Edelman
  3. Babes In Arms - Gregg Edelman/Judy Blazer/Jason Graae/Donna Kane/Judy Kaye/Adam Grupper...
  4. I Wish I Were In Love Again - Jason Graae/Donna Kane
  5. Way Out West - Judy Kaye/JQ And The Bandits
  6. My Funny Valentine - Judy Blazer
  7. Johnny One-Note - Judy Kaye
  8. Ballet: Johnny One-Note - Members Of The New Jersy Symphony Orchestra/Evans Haile
  9. Imagine - Judy Kaye/JQ And The Bandits/Jason Graae
  10. All At Once - Gregg Edelman/Judy Blazer
  11. Peter's Journey: Imagine Reprise 1 - Adam Grupper/JQ And The Bandits
  12. Peter's Journey: Ballet: Peter's Journey - Members Of The New Jersy Symphony Orchestra/Evans Haile
  13. Peter's Journey: Imagine Reprise 2 - Adam Grupper/JQ And The Bandits
  14. The Lady Is A Tramp - Judy Blazer
  15. You Are So Fair - Jason Graae/Donna Kane
  16. Finale - Gregg Edelman/Judy Blazer/Jason Graae/Donna Kane/Judy Kaye/Adam Grupper...

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Babes In Arms Review.......2006-11-10

It was refreshing to hear these songs in their original form. I actually could make out the lyrics to songs like Where or When and The Lady Is a Tramp.I also love Johnny One Note and Way Out West (On Western Avenue). I listen to the CD over and over and over. I would recommend it to anyone.

4 out of 5 stars Terrific Recording of a Classic.......2006-07-22

Marvelous studio recording. Wish there were more of these of long lost shows.

5 out of 5 stars Sparkling recording of Rodgers & Hart score.......2005-02-20

People who listen to this wonderful recording jump to the conclusion that the show is an overlooked classic. It isn't. The score is jam packed with standards, but the book... the book is a mess! Filled with unfunny jokes, sub-plots that go nowhere and bits of business that I doubt were even entertaining in 1937. Despite a slew of good reviews BABES had trouble attracting audiences until suddenly in teh summer it was the ONLY musical running on Broadway, and that helped it achieve a healthy run of 289 performances. But the show will never be revived except in concert.

Evans Haile is the real star hear, conducting the original orchestrations which swing in the best late 1930s tradition. The extended Ballet "Peter's Dream" is a bit repetitive but the rest of teh CD is pure gold. Really, this is the best way to enjoy BABES IN ARMS.

CORRECTION: The listing says "1989 Broadway Revival Cast" - it wasn't a revival: just a concert version.

5 out of 5 stars The Rodgers and Hart Hit Parade.......2004-02-21

The score for Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart's 1937 musical BABES IN ARMS is practically a catalog of hit songs: "Where or When," "I Wish I Were in Love Again," "My Funny Valentine," "Johnny One-Note," "The Lady Is a Tramp." Even the less popular numbers "Imagine," "All at Once," "You Are So Fair," and the title song are of fine quality (only "Way Out West" is slightly silly). The singers on this 1989 studio recording are all excellent vocalists (Judy Blazer and Judy Kaye particularly so), yet their voices are fresh and youthful-sounding enough for the juveniles -- "babes in arms" -- they are meant to be playing. But the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Evans Haile, is the real star of the recording. As the booklet notes explain, the show's original orchestrations have here been recreated, and the result is a charming sound that is authentically 1930's. As far as the orchestra is concerned, this is BABES IN ARMS as Rodgers and Hart themselves originally heard it.

5 out of 5 stars Awsome.......2003-11-16

My brothers school put this play on recently and I just had to see it twice. I love it so much and hopefully will get the Cd soon.

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