Me and Mr. Johnson

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
It's impossible to overemphasize the importance of singer-guitarist-songwriter Robert Johnson's contribution to blues music. The same can be said of Eric Clapton, one of Mr. Johnson's most dedicated interpreters. From his work with John Mayall's Bluesbreakers to Cream and beyond, Clapton has arguably attracted more widespread attention to Johnson's music than any other living musician. A decade after his all-blues From the Cradle (which included no Johnson material), Clapton jumps into the icon's catalog with both feet by covering 14 Johnson tunes. With a stripped-down veteran band that includes such longtime associates as drummer Steve Gadd, keyboardist Billy Preston, and harmonica ace Jerry Portnoy, the guitarist attacks these songs with passion, intelligence, and a refreshing lack of blues-rock pretense. From the upbeat jump of "32-20 Blues" and "They're Red Hot" to the slower, grinding "Little Queen of Spades" and "Milkcow's Calf Blues," Clapton acquits himself well, eschewing his slicker inclinations with arrangements that underscore Johnson's rawest tendencies--although perhaps he doesn't seem sufficiently terrified when walking with Lucifer on "Me and the Devil Blues." Still, this is a successful and admirable return to his roots, one that will hopefully introduce an even larger audience to Johnson's seminal work. --Hal Horowitz

Album Description
On Me And Mr.Johnson, Eric Clapton covers 14 of the 29 songs Robert Johnson, the most mythic figure of the blues, wrote and recorded in his lifetime. For fans of deep blues,it doesn ’t get any better than this. After the success of Clapton ’s first two traditional blues albums —1994 ’s Gram- my-winning triple-platinum, #1 pop From The Cradle, and 2000 ’s Grammy-winning, double-platinum,#3-charting Riding With The King collaboration with B.B.King —Me And Mr.Johnson finds Clapton once more at the crossroads of blues and rock.

The cover illustration by Peter Blake includes both published photographs of Robert Johnson: a rendering of the Robert Johnson Studio Portrait / Hooks Bros., Memphis c. 1935 / © 1989 Delta Haze Corporation / the Robert Johnson photo booth self-portrait, early 1930s / © 1986 Delta Haze Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Used By Permission.

Tracks:

When You Got A Good Friend
Little Queen Of Spades
They're Red Hot
Me And The Devil Blues
Traveling Riverside Blues
Last Fair Deal Gone Down
Stop Breakin' Down Blues
Milkcow's Calf Blues
Kind Hearted Woman Blues
Come On In My Kitchen
If I Had Possession Over Judgement Day
Love In Vain
32-20 Blues
Hell Hound On My Trail

Amazon.com

It's impossible to overemphasize the importance of singer-guitarist-songwriter Robert Johnson's contribution to blues music. The same can be said of Eric Clapton, one of Mr. Johnson's most dedicated interpreters. From his work with John Mayall's Bluesbreakers to Cream and beyond, Clapton has arguably attracted more widespread attention to Johnson's music than any other living musician. A decade after his all-blues From the Cradle (which included no Johnson material), Clapton jumps into the icon's catalog with both feet by covering 14 Johnson tunes. With a stripped-down veteran band that includes such longtime associates as drummer Steve Gadd, keyboardist Billy Preston, and harmonica ace Jerry Portnoy, the guitarist attacks these songs with passion, intelligence, and a refreshing lack of blues-rock pretense. From the upbeat jump of "32-20 Blues" and "They're Red Hot" to the slower, grinding "Little Queen of Spades" and "Milkcow's Calf Blues," Clapton acquits himself well, eschewing his slicker inclinations with arrangements that underscore Johnson's rawest tendencies--although perhaps he doesn't seem sufficiently terrified when walking with Lucifer on "Me and the Devil Blues." Still, this is a successful and admirable return to his roots, one that will hopefully introduce an even larger audience to Johnson's seminal work. --Hal Horowitz

Album Description

On Me And Mr.Johnson, Eric Clapton covers 14 of the 29 songs Robert Johnson, the most mythic figure of the blues, wrote and recorded in his lifetime. For fans of deep blues,it doesn 't get any better than this. After the success of Clapton 's first two traditional blues albums —1994 's Gram- my-winning triple-platinum, #1 pop From The Cradle, and 2000 's Grammy-winning, double-platinum,#3-charting Riding With The King collaboration with B.B.King —Me And Mr.Johnson finds Clapton once more at the crossroads of blues and rock.

Customer Reviews:

batcall.......2007-06-28

He finally gets to do what he loved best, the "blues". A great musician for the modern age.

Karaoke Blues.......2007-05-25

There is little doubt that Clapton is a living legend having made considerable contributions to blues-based popular music. Unfortunately, "Me and Mr. Johnson" is not that considerable. With an all star cast of musicians (Andy Fairweather-Low, Billy Preston, Nathan East, and Steve Gadd) this disc offers the listener tweaked and polished interpretations of almost half of the legendary blues man's existing repertoire. However, what the album offers in terms of production it certainly lacks in feeling. Some other reviews have used the term "elevator music" to describe the recording, but "karaoke" would be a better term. There is little to convince you that this is distinctly Clapton playing a heartfelt blues classic rather than an average Joe reading the lyrics off a television monitor in a smoky bar somewhere. Upbeat numbers such as "They're Red Hot" fare much better than tortured tracks such as "Hell Hound On My Trail," which comes across more like an angry weenie dog snapping at his heels.

While the album may serve as an introduction to early blues music for new listeners, Clapton's "From The Cradle," "Riding With The King," and even his "MTV Unplugged" are much more representative of his talent as an interpreter of the blues. Both Rolling Stone and Entertainment Weekly gave this record a good review, but just because he is already a legend doesn't warrant the rubber stamp of approval from even the most die hard of fans in my opinion. I would suggest checking out the albums mentioned above if you are interested in Clapton and/or a bridge to the blues genre.

On a last note, beware that this CD is copy protected, which may cause some problems if you would like to convert the songs to a digital device such as an I-Pod or mp3 player. Just another way of making it more difficult for the honest consumer rather than serving as a true deterrent of piracy.

The Blues on Prozac........2007-05-24

One of the things that first turned me on to Eric Clapton was an early live rendition of "Crossroads" which (I believe) came from a Cream concert. It was so good and so incendiary that it actually seemed to transcend the intentions and vision of the original songwriter. It was truly a defining moment for both Clapton as an individual artist and for rock music in general. Unfortunately, Eric set a very high standard for himself with that recording, and he has had a tough time matching its passion and intensity through the years. He came very close with "From the Cradle", which has a great live-from-the-club feel to it, great guitar playing and above-average singing.

On balance, "Riding With the King" is arguably a better record than either "Me and Mr. Johnson" or "From the Cradle", but it isn't an Eric Clapton record per se (the presence of B.B. King, and some exceptional songs, make the difference). So, if you're looking for a good straight blues record which mainly features EC, I would start with "From the Cradle" and go from there. If you just want the best blues/rock record that he was involved with in recent times, I would start with "Riding With the King".

I've read that the tracks for "Me and Mr. Johnson" were recorded in between takes during the "Back Home" sessions in order to keep the band on point. When listening to the "M&MJ" record I got the distinct impression that the songs weren't really sweated over or necessarily intended for release at the time. It appears that this project was more or less an afterthought, albeit a pretty good one. Eric's debt to Robert Johnson is without question, so officially paying homage to the master makes total sense. And it's a true testament to Eric's talent that a collection of his outtakes turned out better than many artists' finished work.

At the end of the day though, EC was in a very contented state of mind during these sessions-happily married and enjoying his children. Domestic tranquility doesn't usually lend itself to brilliant blues playing unless you're a tremendous actor in addition to being a great musician. On top of that, even when Eric does have the blues (after the death of his son Conor, for example), his vocals have never been able to measure up to the unbridled emotion evident in his best guitar playing.

One of the highlights of this record is "They're Red Hot", which conjurs up a mental image of Eric vamping in his living room for the children's amusement. It's fun and it's loose. Whereas Eric's treatment of the darker pieces just seems flippant and uninspired at times. I would much rather recommend the Rolling Stones' version of "Love In Vain" and Led Zeppelin's version of "Travelling Riverside Blues".

So, with all due respect to Eric Clapton (who I admire greatly), I would say that this recording is good rather than great.

Clapton pays tribute Robert Johnson..What great story!.......2007-03-21

Eric Clapton lit a huge fire when he recorded Crossroads live at Royal Albert Hall, London, UK with Cream in the late 60's. That recording kicked ECs career into overdrive as every guitar player since has heard it if not copied licks from that stellar performance. Through-out his career Clapton has shown to be significantly influenced by Robert Johnson's music. He has gone as far as to pay royalties to Johnson's decendents for the use of his music. This new CD was recorded in the very same room of the now abandon Houston Tx, building where Robert Johnson himself recorded this music in (2 sessions)1936-37. Johnson's guitar technique was such that Clapton himself admitted to not be able to do it justice (all while singing and playing in one take) and therefore employed Doyle Bramhall to cover some of the guitar work. This effort is the sincerest form of tribute I can imagine. This is not music that Clapton recorded because of it's comercial value. This is a true labor of love. This is intrinsicly blues therefore blues fans and musicologists alike will dig it.

Ah, okay..........2007-02-17

As Steve Vai once said, You can't say "my noise is better than your noise." If people like this album and Saddam Hussein doesn't, that's okay. Music is a vibration; you either respond or you don't and either way is not "wrong." Amen.

When Stevie Ray Vaughan first hit the airwaves, I felt as though someone was finally playing the music I'd always waited for from Clapton. Truth is, Eric moved in a singer/songwriter direction, and SRV stayed committed to the blues. EC's early days were exceptional on that count, from Crossroads to Hideaway, Have You Heard, etc. But I realized somewhere along the way that though he started with the blues, EC had demonstrated that he was versatile and pleasantly complex and probably wouldn't end there. He moved into the singer/songwriter spectrum, especially as other electric blues players came up and laid fire in new ways to the old tunes (Joe Bonamassa). This album is okay and I'm glad he resurrected the tunes. Lots of discipline and restraint, hard-earned maturity. But it isn't a show stopper and he seems increasingly less inclined to savage his axe. His voice is the highlight here, not his playing. That moved offstage a long time ago. And so did I.

Average customer rating:

Awesome to hear the old masters almost live.
The Greatest Ragtime of the Century
A great introduction and sampling.

The Greatest Ragtime of the Century

Manufacturer: Shout Factory
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Compilations | Jazz | Styles | Music

Stride Piano | Traditional Jazz & Ragtime | Jazz | Styles | Music

Boogie-Woogie | Traditional Jazz & Ragtime | Jazz | Styles | Music

Ragtime | Traditional Jazz & Ragtime | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Complete Piano Music of Scott Joplin
Scott Joplin: Piano Rags
King of the Ragtime Writers
The Sting: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Red Hot Ragtime Volume 1

ASIN: B00009PJST
Release Date: 2003-06-10

Tracks:

Shreveport Stomp - Jelly Roll Morton
Sweet Man - Jelly Roll Morton
Tom Cat Blues - Jelly Roll Morton
A New Kind Of Man With A New Kind Of Love For Me - Thomas 'Fats' Waller
Nobody But My Baby - Thomas 'Fats' Waller
Got To Cool My Doggies Now - Thomas 'Fats' Waller
Maple Leaf Rag - Scott Joplin
Weeping Willow Rag - Scott Joplin
Something Doing - Scott Joplin
Steeplechase Rag - James P Johnson
Twilight Rag - James P Johnson
Charleston Rag - Eubie Blake
It's Right Here For You - Eubie Blake
Fare Thee Honey Blues - Eubie Blake
Mr. Freddie Blues - Jimmy Blythe
Regal Stomp - Jimmy Blythe

Customer Reviews:

Awesome to hear the old masters almost live........2007-03-27

It was an awesome experience to hear Ragtime and early blues played by the masters themselves. When you hear the music from their own hands, if not their own pianos, it makes the music immediate, and makes even clearer the stylistic differences of the various American musical pioneers. The sound quality is excellent. I'd strongly recommend this recording to anyone who enjoys early-20th-century jazz.

The Greatest Ragtime of the Century.......2005-10-30

What a terrific CD. What a joy to add to your life. Everyone should begin their day with this Great Ragtime.We would all be much better.

As a former dancer, Flapper, wth the Charleston in my routine, I do appreciate Great Music. I'm not quite as good as I used to be, but neither are you, Gal. Will be 66 next birthday. Still have the rhythm and love life.

Put some spice in your life and don't let this CD get away. Please, just get it today.

A great introduction and sampling........2005-08-23

Prior to this album, the only ragtime I really knew was "The Entertainer" and "Maple Leaf Rag". I don't know how this album fares for enthusiasts, but I've thoroughly enjoyed it. It introduced me to several different composers. The way the album is organized by giving you a two or three song block by each composer is good. As you listen to this, you can easily hear the different styles from one composer to another. As for the recording quality, I don't have any complaints whatsoever. Each note is clear without much noticable fuzz or hissing. The versions of Scott Joplin's songs are played a bit brash and speedy when compared to Joshua Rifkin, but I think they sound livlier because of it. Overall a solid release.

Average customer rating:

Great Music from Elizabeth's time

Elizabethan Songs and Consort Music
Peter Wendland , and Innocenzio Alerti
Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Treasury of Elizabethan Music
Dowland: Consort Music
Byrd: Consort and Keyboard Music; Songs and Anthems
Elizabethan Consort Music
Shakespeare Songs

ASIN: B00003Q40F
Release Date: 2000-01-25

Tracks:

Fantasia
Ah, Alas You Salt Sea Gods
A Song Of Mr Robert Parsons
The Song Called Trumpets
O Death, Rock Me Asleep
In Nomine
In Nomine
Pour Down, You Pow'rs Divine
Ut Re Mi
Quis Me Statim
In Nomine No, 14 'Reporte'
Penelope That Longed
In Nomine No. 20 'Crye'
Send Forth Thy Sighs
Climb Not Too High
De La Court
Eliza, Her Name Gives Honour
Pavin Of Albarti
Gallyard
O Jove, From Stately Throne
A Solfing Song
Ah, Silly Poor Joas
In Nomine
Ye Sacred Muses

Customer Reviews:

Great Music from Elizabeth's time.......2002-09-13

This is an exceptional disc of music in height of popularity at
the court of Elizabeth I, and a bargan on the Naxos label(they
have several titles of early music available). The songs are all of high performance quality, and highly recomended to those interested in Elizabeth and her world. Several tracks for me stand out, including "Pour Down,You Pow'rs Divine", "Climb Not To High", and "Eliza, Her Name Gives Honour", this last composition written in celebration and honor of the queen, and beautifuly sung by Catherine King. The Rose Consort Of Viols are
also featured, the "grandfathers" of the modern bowed string
instruments were highly in vogue at the time for voice accompany or alone. For those with an interest in Elizabeth, or have seen the movie, this CD is highly recomended!

Average customer rating:

Lusty Gallant: England's Golden Age

Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi Fr.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Pavanes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

The King's Noyse, dir. David Douglass: Royal Delight: 17th Century Ballads & Dances
Early Sixteenth Century Venetian Lute Music
English Lute Duets
John Johnson: Lute Music
Molinaro: Fantasia/Canzoni E Balli

ASIN: B00099FVCE
Release Date: 2005-09-13

Tracks:

I Cannot Keepe My Wyfe At Howme
Up Tails All
The Spanish Pavane
Robin Hoode
John Com Kisse Me Now
Chromatica Pavana
Galliard
Sueit Smyling Katie Loves Me
Put On Your Sark On Monenday
Buckinghames Branle
The LaydieLouthians Lilte
La Volta
Wolsey's Wilde
Pavana Bray
Galiarda
Will Yow Walke The Woods Soe wylde
My Lord Willoughbies Welcom Home
Pavin
Galliard
Lusty Gallant
A Ground
Home Again, Market Is Done
Trenchmore
Mall Symes

Tracks:

'En Me Revenant
Courante
Courante 'Son Adieu'
Courante Sur 'J'avois Brise Mes Fers'
Chacogne
'Filou'
Prelude
Fantasie
Galliard Upon A Galliard
Pavin
Almaine
Fantasia
Fantasia Sopra 'La Canzon Degli Ucelli'
Fantasia
Fantasia
Fantasie
Ballet
Courante
Courante Sur La Courante De Perrichon
Sarabande
Fantasia
Sarabrand
Pavin
Courante
Courante
Courante
'La Jeune Fillette'
Paven Of The Composition Of Mee Herbet Of Cherbury And Castle Island 1640

Average customer rating:

A very mixed musical bag . . .

The Avengers & other 60's TV Themes
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Sbme Castle Us
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Television Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00005Y1MW
Release Date: 2002-02-05

Tracks:

The Avengers - The Laurie Johnson Orchestra
Thunderbirds - The Barry Gray Orchestra
Dr. Who - Eric Winstone And His Orchestra
Who Do You Think You Are Kidding, Mr. Hitler? - Bud Flanagan
Theme from Z-Cars - Johnny Keating & His Orchestra
The Saint - Cyril Stapleton & The Eliminators
Department S - The Cyril Stapleton Orchestra
Crossroads Theme - The Tony Hatch Orchestra
Lucky Stars - Peter Knight & The Nightriders
Light Flight (Theme from 'Take Three Girls') - Pentagle
Stingray - Gary Miller
High Wire (Theme from 'Danger Man') - The Bob Leaper Orchestra
The Champions - The Tony Hatch Orchestra
Forsyte Saga Theme - Cyril Stapleton, His Choir & Orchestra
A Little Suite - The Les Reed Strings
Fireball XL 5 - The Flee-reekers
Maigret Theme - The Eagles
No Hiding Place - The Laurie Johnson Orchestra
The Fugitive Theme - John Schroeder Orchestra
W Somerset Maugham - The Cyril Stapleton Orchestra

Tracks:

How Soon - Jackie Trent
Mr Rose - Roy Budd
The Doctors - The Tony Hatch Orchestra
Theme from Sam Benedict - Johnny Keating & His Orchestra
Ben Casey - The Tony Hatch Orchestra
Sir Francis Drake - The Piccadilly Strings
Perry Mason - The Tony Hatch Orchestra
Our House - The Piccadilly Strings
Latin Quarter - The Laurie Johnson Orchestra
Ghost Squad - The Tony Hatch Orchestra
Our Love Story - Sounds Orchestral
Theme from 'The Naked City' (Somewhere in the Night) - The Tony Hatch Orchestra
Sucu Sucu - The Laurie Johnson Orchestra
Casablanca - Kenny Ball & His Orchestra
Carlos' Theme - Johnny Keating
The Deputy - The Laurie Johnson Orchestra
Man Alive - The Tony Hatch Orchestra
Memories of Sumer (From TV series 'Love Story') - The Tony Hatch Orchestra
That's Me Over Here (Ronnie Corbett's Theme) - Cyril Stapleton
Theme from 'Peyton Place' - Jack Dorsey Orchestra

Customer Reviews:

A very mixed musical bag . . ........2004-05-14

This recording is a primarily a collection of themes, and music from British television programs, from the 60's and early 70's. These are not the original recordings, but updated versions recorded presumably just for this compilation. Most of the music is performed by various orchestras, including those led by Laurie Johnson, Barry Gray and Tony Hatch. Being from TV, the pieces are mostly short, and are taken from various kinds of programs including comedies, dramas, and adventure/action type shows. There is great variety in the sounds you hear, and there really isn't an overall "theme" to this collection of themes. The rather detailed CD notes provide informative background and some vintage photos.

Music from programs that made it to America, like The Avengers, The Saint, or Danger Man/Secret Agent Man, may be familiar to American listeners, but unless you have been exposed to British television, much of this music will be unfamiliar. There are also some themes from American TV, like Perry Mason, The Fugitive, Peyton Place and Ben Casey, which may be recognizable.

Taken for what they are, some pieces are well done. For those who favor upbeat, action type themes, there is High Wire from Danger Man, the twangy Maigret's theme, and the themes from Riviera Police and Department S. The version of the theme from the Avengers, performed by original composer Laurie Main's orchestra, is stirring, as you would expect. The same cannot be said for the disappointing version of the theme from The Saint. There are a few vocal tracks as well, such as the rousing Stingray, sung by Gary Miller. Many pleasant and easy to listen to tunes such as Roy Budd's Mr. Rose, and the themes from M. Somerset Maughham and Dr. Findlay's Casebook can be found.

Tracks:

Wizard of OzSelection (Arthur Pryor's Band)
The Bullfrog and the Coon (Ada Jones)
Pocahontas (Edward M. Favor)
Daisy Donohue (Harry Tally)
Down on the Brandywine (Collins & Harlan)
Come Take a Skate with Me Sung (Collins & Harlan)
I Love You All the Time (Harry Macdonough)
The Moon Has His Eyes on You (Ada Jones)
When You Love, Love, Love (Thomas E. Whitbred)
When We Get Whats a-Comin to Us
Mister Dooley Sung (Edward M. Favor)
Julie Dooley (J. W. Myers)
Meet Me Down at the Corner (Jones & Spencer)
Budweisers a Friend of Mine (Billy Murray)
Theres a Lot of Things You Never Learn at School (Bob Roberts)
Under a Panama (Billy Murray)
Good Bye Fedora (Collins & Harlan)
Sitting Bull (Collins & Harlan)
I Love Only One Girl in this Wide Wide World (Harry Macdonough)
Sammy (Harry Macdonough)
The Tale of a Stroll (Morgan & Stanley)
Cant You See Im Lonely? (Ada Jones)
Are You Sincere? (Byron G. Harlan)
Hurrah for Baffins Bay (Collins & Harlan)
Football (Dan W. Quinn)
Id Like to Go Halves in That (Burt Shepard)
Rejoice!The Wizard is No Longer King
The Traveler and the Pie
Must You? (Dan W. Quinn)
Thats Where She Sits All Day (Dan W. Quinn)
The Sweetest Girl in Dixie (Henry Burr)
Scarecrow Laugh (Fred Stone)

Tracks:

Sammy Mira (Music Box Disc)
Must You? (Mira Music Box Disc)
Opening Prayer
Phantom Patrol
Just a Simple Girl from the Prairie
Poppy Song
Love is Love
When We Get What's A-Comin' to Us
The Traveler and the Pie
When You Love, Love, Love
Rejoice! The Wizard is No Longer King
Phantom Patrol (Aeolian Piano Roll)
My Little Maid of Oz Aeolian Piano Roll
The Tik-Tok Man of OzSelection (Rythmodik Piano Roll)
The Tik-Tok Man of OzSelection (Piano Roll)
Ask the Flowers to Tell You (Macdonough & Dunlap)
My Beautiful Dream Girl (John Barnes Wells)
My Pretty Little Piece of Dresden China (Bessie Wynn)
Gay Paree (Montgomery & Stone)
Travel Travel Little Star (Montgomery & Stone)
A Scotch Moriah (Montgomery & Stone)
Hurrah for Baffins Bay (Dan W. Quinn)
Daisy Donohue (Trombone Solo by Arthur Pryor)
Mr. DooleyMedley (Xylophone Solo J. Frank Hopkins)
Down on the BrandywineMedley (Edison Military Band)
The Bullfrog and the CoonMedley (Six Brown Brothers)
Ill Take You Back to Italy (Ada Jones & Billy Murray)
Father Goose Songs (Sallie Osbourne)

Album Description

The Wizard of Oz a musical with book and lyrics by L. Frank Baum and music by Paul Tietjens premiered on June 16, 1902, at the Grand Opera House in Chicago. It was an instant hit and made stars of David Montgomery (the Tin Woodman) and Fred Stone (the Scarecrow). On January 21, 1903 the show opened at the Majestic Theatre in New York. It ran for nine months and set out on the road with a second company right on its heels. The show toured, came back to New York, toured, and returned to New York again many times until finally disbanding around 1911. Stock and amateur companies continued to present it into the 1930s when it was overshadowed by the classic MGM film starring Judy Garland.

The show was legendary for its success and its impact on American culture. It was the Cats or Les Mis of the early 1900s--but the show has been swallowed by history. What made audiences of the early 1900s devour the show and return for more again and again? In this unprecedented 2-CD set—featuring over 145 minutes of vintage recordings and 64 pages of lyrics, photos, notes and synopsis—you can discover how The Wizard of Oz entertained the American public for the first two decades of the 20th century. And like the audiences of nearly a hundred years ago, you can hum along to "Budweiser," "Sammy," and "Hurrah for Baffin's Bay"—everyone's favorite songs from The Wizard of Oz! Also included in this comprehensive collection are recordings from later Oz musicals, The Woggle-Bug and The Tik-Tok Man of Oz written by Oz creator L. Frank Baum, as well as vintage non-Oz recordings by original "Wizard of Oz stars" Montgomery & Stone and Bessie Wynn

Customer Reviews:

A Collection of the Original Oz Stage Productions.......2006-12-07

This Double-Disk Collection contains music from the original and varied Oz Stage Productions: "the Wizard of Oz", "the Woggle-Bug" (based on 'Marvelous Land of Oz) and "the Tik-Tok Man of Oz" (based on 'Ozma of Oz'). There are plenty of "Wizard" songs and music, but there isn't a lot of "Woggle-Bug" and/or "Tik-Tok Man".
I often wondered how different the 1st & Original Production of 'Oz Wizard' was different to the book, and thanks to Mark Evan Schwartz's book "Oz: Before the Rainbow" I found out for myself (WORTH A READ!!). Later I got this CD to go along with the book's stage telling (more or less) and I listened in interest to the songs which, I read, were entirely different to the future Musicals of Oz. The songs are good, but not all of them are actually completely restored to perfection, so the singing may/will sound somewhat muffled. Also, due to the time it was made (for some reason), the songs don't actually fit into the story (even the stage's rewritten story) and sound distant/unrelated. But there are songs that sound similar to the original story ("Rejoice! The Wizard is No Longer King"). CD 2's Track 3 has music played during Silent Oz Film "His Majesty, Scarecrow" on the MGM 3-Disk DVD.
The best thing about this CD Collection is the two booklets packaged along with the disks: the first (entitled "The Records") has writing on "What the Wizard Was" with a synopsis of the stage production story and "About the Recordings", a listing of all the songs on CD 1 (which are helpful for "Selection" Tracks not specifically named on the back) and notes on the songs like their origins and background. Booklet 2 (entitled "The Lyrics") has the words to the songs (in case you can't make out the words/want to sing-along). BOTH CDs include b&w photos of the actors, performance (few of which can be seen in "Oz: Before the Rainbow" book) and even reprints of a few illustrations made for the stage. The pictures are the best part of this purchase.
The Entirely Different Songs may not fit with the story, original or rewritten, but there's nothing really wrong with the music when one enjoys to what they're listening to.
I know that there is also another 'Oz on Stage' CD Collection called "Before the Rainbow" . . . hmmm, I wonder if I should get that too?

Ain't it a Shame!.......2006-05-20

I think that this is a wonderful album of HISTORICAL value. Not too many people know this, but "the wizard of oz" was made into a smash hit in 1903, but because all the history was BARELY in obscurity, hungry tiger press wanted to educate the blockheads in the world about this remarkable piece of history. that being said, david maxine collected all of the old material, such as Piano rolls (my especial favorite of all of them is "the poppy song", i LOVE the bass notes: "nnn-ded-deh mmmm-ded-deh"), and music boxes, and cylinders, and records!
however, it is quite a shame that that CRAPPY movie with judy garland pushed this lovely musical into obscurity. i would have liked to see it in my day, but it was already lost in darkness, but thanks to the highly DIGNIFIED people in the world, this cd is available!! BUY IT!!!! I *ORDER* YOU!!! YOU CANNOT BE DIGNIFIED WITHOUT THIS REPLACING YOUR "RAP" GARBAGE WITH THIS JEWEL!!!!

Why the 1903 "Wizard" was forgotten.......2004-03-20

This truly remarkable 2-disc collection of old cylinders, discs, music boxes and piano rolls explains why the 1903 musical version of "The Wizard of Oz" did not survive the early thirties. It wasn't because it was before its time or even of its time, but simply because it was way behind the times. Its producers resisted composer's Paul Tietjens' attempts to write plot-driven numbers. His contribution survives only in the incidental music preserved on piano rolls (and the most interesting element on this collection) linking very disparate and even incongruous vaudeville acts by various authors and performers that graced the stage during the musical's multi-decade run. In other words, Baum was telling a story and the songs were telling another... As fascinating as they are for historical reasons, those numbers are commonplace, mostly uninspired flash-in-the-tin-pan ditties, with timid syncopation and a stong reliance on musical clichés. There is not a single standard among them and not even a decent lyric where "fine" doesn't rhyme with "mine" and "love you" doesn't rhyme with "I do"- or even "I know you know I know you do", as happens more than once. As an assemblage of shtick pieces and ephemeral sentimental or nonsensical ditties, this collection cannot be topped and it represents a monumental effort. Without it and its very generous and informative liner notes, I would not have the same appreciation for the absolute genius of Victor Herbert's operettas ("Babes in Toyland" came out the same year) where the more memorable songs are plot-driven and introduced and linked by the most luscious, inventive and varied incidental music ever heard outside an opera house. This sort of unified concept would culminate in Jerome Kern's "Show Boat" and it remains a truth today that the integration of plot and music - reminiscent of opera - is the true secret of successful and perennial musicals, whatever the current idiom. This collection also makes one appreciate the complete originality of the Hollywood film for actually going back to Baum's books, entrusting the songs, lyrics and music to Harold Arlen, Yip Harburg and Herbert Stothart and scrapping the musical's colourful but checkered history (except for casting ex-vaudevillians as the main characters, of course!). Highly recommended for its nostalgia value, its irreplaceable rarities and a better understanding of the history of American popular music.

A long overdue revisit to a classic American musical.......2003-09-30

Although it was one of the most financially successful stage musicals of the early 1900's, very little information is presently available on the 1903 production of THE WIZARD OF OZ. In what was obviously a labor of love, David Maxine has done much to correct this oversight by releasing a 2-CD set with over 145 minutes worth of extremely rare recordings of music from this and other OZ-themed musicals dating back to before World War I. Recorded materials include vintage acoustical disc and cylinder phonograph records, piano rolls, and music box discs, many of which go back almost a century. In addition, he has included two booklets worth of historical background information on the 1903 WIZARD OF OZ production, its stars, the individual musical numbers, and lyrics for the songs included on the CDs. (Lavishly illustrated with rare old black and white photos and artwork, these booklets, and the information they contain, are themselves worth the price of the set!) Several bonus CD tracks are included that offer rare recordings by Montgomery & Stone (the original Tin Woodsman and Scarecrow) and Bessie Wynn, who was also in the 1903 cast. Not just for dedicated Oz fans, this set is a "must have" for anyone interested in the history of American musical theater and American popular culture of the early 1900's.

Long-Forgotten Broadway Hit Gets First Rate Revival.......2003-09-17

One hundred and three years ago, author L. Frank Baum published the best-selling children's book of the 20th century, THE WIZARD OF OZ. Although the book was adapted several times as plays, silent motion pictures, animated cartoons, and radio shows in the next few decades, it is the 1939 MGM film that most people think of as THE WIZARD OF OZ. The success and popularity of that film completely eclipsed the memories of previous incarnations and even the book itself in popular culture. However, prior to the film's release, there was a successful stage version which premiered on Broadway in 1903 and delighted audiences for many years, making stars of Fred Stone and David Montgomery, the original Scarecrow and Tinman. As with the MGM film, chilren who saw THE WIZARD OF OZ on stage carried fond memories of the production into adulthood. Ray Bolger was so impressed with the Fred Stone's Scarecrow, that he remembered it vividly as an adult and based his own protrayal of the character in the movie on Mr. Stone's stage version.

Unfortunately, time and Judy Garland have pushed the once popular Broadway Smash into history. It has been all but forgotten...until now.

As the show moved from theater to theater and casts changed, so did the songs. Many of these were recorded on the primative equipment of the day: Wax cylinders, 78-RPM records, piano rolls, and music Boxes, and surprisingly many of these still exist. Now, thanks to those hard-working gents at HUNGRY TIGER PRESS, you can own these historic recordings on this awesome 2-CD set. THE WIZARD OF OZ: Vintage Recordings From The 1903 Broadway Musical contains over 145 minutes of terrific early 20th century music. You won't find "Over the Rainbow" or "Ding! Dong! The Witch Is Dead!" here. Instead, this WIZARD OF OZ contains tracks like "Budweiser's a Friend of Mine", "Sammy", "Hurrah for Baffin's Bay", and "Rejoice! The Wizard is No Longer King", each one a portal over the rainbow to the Broadway stage of a century ago.

Tracks:

Vol 19, Four And Twenty Fiddlers - Music For The Restoration Court Band: Curtain Tune In C Major
Vol 15, William Croft At St Paul's Cathedral: Symphony, Verse And Chorus From The Jubilate In D Major
Vol 6, An Englishman Abroad: The Satyrs' Dance From Oberon
Vol 18, Fairest Work of Happy Nature: Morlake Ground
Vol 5, O Tuneful Voice - Songs And Duets From Late Eighteenth-Century England: 'Tis Only No Harm To Know It, You Know
Vol 8, Capel Bond - Six Concertos In Seven Parts: Affettuoso From concerto No.6 In B Flat Major
Vol 14, Thomas Linley - Lyric Ode On The Fairies, Aerial Beings And Witches Of Shakespeare: So Spake God... There In Old Arden's Inmost Shade
Vol 22, English Eighteenth - Century Keyboard Concertos: Andante From Concerto In D Major Op.1, No.6
Vol 21, Enchanting Harmonist - A Soiree With The Linleys In Bath: Where The Bee Sucks Op.11, no.6
Vol 2, William Boyce - Soloman, A Serenata: Tell Me, Lovely Shepherd
Vol 7, Thomas Arne - Six Favourite Concertos: Giga From Concerto No.4 In B Flat Major
Vol 16, Three Operas By Charles Dibdin: So, There She Lies On The Floor... If I Was A Wife From The Ephesian Matron
Vol 23, Purcell's London: Cibell In C Major
Vol 17, Motets By Peter Philips: Tu es Petrus
Vol 25, Keyboard: Aria del Gran Duca
Vol 11, Late Consort Music: Fantasia A 4 'For The Great Double Bass' no.1
Vol 11, Late Consort Music: Fantasia From Fantasia Suite no.2 In A Major
Vol 20, Awake My Lyre: Salvator mundi salva nos
Vol 13, English Eighteenth - Century Violin Sonatas: Solo In E Major
Allegro From Concerto No.2 In B Minor
Vol 3, Matthew Locke - Anthems, Motets And Ceremonial Music: Jesu auctor clementie
Vol 9, Keyboard Music By Thomas Roseingrave: Voluntary In G Minor
Vol 24, Consort Music By Peter Philips: Pavan And Galliard
Vol 10, Cathedral Music By Thomas Weelkes: O Jonathan, woe Is Me
Vol 12, Odes On The Death Of Henry Purcell: And See, Apollo Has Unstrung His Lyre... Mr Purcell's Farewell From Come, Come Along For A Dance And A Song

Customer Reviews:

Delightful - why was this music so underrated?.......1999-03-15

Conductor Peter Holman has done a tremendous service to English baroque music by researching, restoring, staging and recording some of the half-forgotten masterpieces by English composers of the 16th and 17th centuries. This disc is a collection of excerpts from compositions issued on other discs in the English Orpheus series. It's always good to have a collection as a way of introducing people to what's out there. Yet, if you can afford it, buy at least some of the complete volumes in this series. I would particularly recommend Dibdin's Ephesian Matron (the CD also contains two shorter works by the same composer); and Lampe's Pyramus & Thisbe.

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