Show Boat

1. Why Do I Love You?

2. Nobody Else But Me

3. Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man

4. Make Believe

5. Ol' Man River

6. Bill

Show Boat,Kenny Dorham,Bainbridge,Hard Bop,Jazz

Jazz

Music

jazz

music

Average customer rating: good memories for me and fun "new" songs for my children memories TV Theme Songs TV themes Deja Vu

TV Land Presents: Favorite TV Theme Songs Cyndi Grecco , and Jones, Jack Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Star Trek | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Rhino Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Soundtracks | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Purists | Warner Brothers Records | Stores | Music Similar Items: TV Guide: 50 All-Time Favorite TV Themes All-Time Top 100 TV Themes Classic TV Game Show Themes One Hundred Greatest TV Themes Toon Tunes: Funny Bone Favorites ASIN: B00006EXIL Release Date: 2002-08-20

Tracks:

1. I Love Lucy Theme - Wilbur Hatch
2. Dragnet - Ray Anthony
3. The Twilight Zone - Rod Open
4. Bonanza - Al Caiola & His Orchestra
5. The Andy Griffith Theme - Earle Hagen
6. The Ballad Of Jed Clampett - Earl Scruggs
7. The Addams Family (Main Theme) - Vic Mizzy
8. Munsters Theme - Jack Marshall
9. The Ballad Of Gilligan's Isle - Morton Stevens
10. Green Acres - Eddie Albert
11. Jeannie - Hugo Montenegro
12. Batman Theme - Neal Hefti
13. (Theme From) The Monkees - The Monkees
14. Star Trek (Main Title & Closing Theme) - The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
15. Mannix - Lalo Schifrin
16. Hawaii Five-O - Mort Stevens & His Orchestra
17. Theme From The Brady Bunch - The Brady Bunch
18. Come On Get Happy - The Partridge Family
19. Those Were The Days - Carroll O'Connor
20. And Then There's Maude - Donny Hathaway
21. Good Times - Jim Gilstrap
22. Movin' On Up - Oren Waters
23. The Rockford Files - Mike Post
24. Them From S.W.A.T. - Rhythm Heritage
25. Happy Days - Pratt & McClain
26. Making Our Dreams Come True - Cyndi Grecco
27. Chico And The Man - Jose Feliciano
28. Welcome Back - John Sebastian
29. What's Happening!! - Henry Mancini
30. Barney Miller - Jack Elliott
31. Charlie's Angels - Jack Elliott
32. Love Boat Theme - Jack Jones
33. Angela (Theme From 'Taxi') - Bob James
34. It Takes Diff'rent Strokes - Gloria Loring
35. Theme From Dukes Of Hazzard (Good Ol' Boys) - Waylon
36. Theme From Magnum, P.I. - Mike Post
37. The Theme From Hill Street Blues - Mike Post
38. Theme From Dynasty - Bill Conti
39. Theme From 'Greatest American Hero' (Believe It Or Not) - Joey Scarbury
40. Thank You For Being A Friend - Cynthia Fee

Album Description

TV Land brings you 40 of your favorite evening show theme songs. Highlights include 'Happy Days', 'The Greatest American Hero', 'Dukes Of Hazzard (Good Ol' Boys)', 'Laverne & Shirley', 'I Dream Of Jeanie', 'I Love Lucy', 'Welcome Back, Kotter', 'The Love Boat', 'Hawaii Five-O', 'The Golden Girls' and many, many more. 2002. Rhino.

Customer Reviews:

good memories for me and fun "new" songs for my children.......2007-06-27

We had ordered this for "The Dukes of Hazzard" theme song for our 4yr old and our whole family has fallen in love with the cd. It makes me want to share some of the old fun and simple shows with my children. I forgot about some of those shows. It brings back good memories for my husband and me and the songs are new and exciting for our children. It's a nice change from children's cd's, but our children still think it's fun. The sound quality is good and the songs included on the cd are a great mix. I would definately recommend this one.

memories.......2007-02-22

This cd is excellent it has a lot of very good music and true to the original sound, Am getting a lot of enjoyment,highly recomended

TV Theme Songs.......2007-01-13

This is a great CD for people who watch a lot of TV -especially TV LAND and reruns of old shows when shows had actual theme songs. I took the CD to work and everyone loved trying to figure out what show the songs were from.

TV themes.......2006-07-05

Not all what I expected, not all of the tunes are the original recordings you remember as the TV themes.

Deja Vu.......2006-02-17

Listening to these familiar themes as performed by the original artists certainly brings back wonderful memories! I was particularly pleased, not only with the quality of the pieces, but with the actual performances themselves, just as we remembered them!

Average customer rating: 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 All Works by Bernstein | Bernstein, Leonard | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gershwin | Gershwin, George | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Porter | Porter, Cole | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Very Best Of Broadway Musicals Only Broadway CD You'll Ever Need Broadway - The American Musical (PBS Series) The Best Of Broadway (Cast Recording Anthology) Ultimate Broadway 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:

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

Average customer rating: great cd Buy another version Sount track "Make Believe" alone is worth it! Great movie version of great show - BUT ...

Show Boat: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1951 Film) Jerome Kern , and Oscar Hammerstein II Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Nostalgia | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Rhino Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Carousel (1956 Film Soundtrack) Oklahoma! (1955 Film Soundtrack) South Pacific (1958 Film Soundtrack) Show Boat The King and I (1956 Film Soundtrack) ASIN: B0000033KL Release Date: 1995-05-23

Tracks:

1. Main Title - The M-G-M Studio Orchestra And Chorus
2. Cap'n Andy's Calliope - The M-G-M Studio Orchestra
3. Natchez - The M-G-M Studio Orchestra
4. Cap'n Andy's Presentation - The M-G-M Studio Orchestra And Chorus
5. Cap'n Andy's Ballyhoo - The M-G-M Studio Orchestra
6. Encore On Dock - The M-G-M Studio Orchestra
7. Where's The Mate For Me? (Gambler's Song) - Howard Keel
8. Young Romance - The M-G-M Studio Orchestra
9. Make Believe - Kathryn Grayson And Howard Keel
10. Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man - Annette Warren
11. Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man - Reprise #1 - Kathryn Grayson/Ava Gardner/Annette Warren
12. I Might Fall Back On You - Marge And Gower Champion
13. Julie Leaves The Boat - The M-G-M Studio Orchestra And Chorus
14. Ol' Man River - William Warfield
15. Ol' Man River - Reprise - William Warfield
16. You Are Love - Kathryn Grayson And Howard Keel
17. Why Do I Love You? - Kathryn Grayson And Howard Keel
18. Ravenal Is Gone - The M-G-M Studio Orchestra
19. Bill - Annette Warren
20. Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man - Kathryn Grayson
21. Life On The Wicked Stage - Marge And Gower Champion
22. After The Ball - Kathryn Grayson
23. Packet Boat - The M-G-M Studio Orchestra
24. Natchez Dock - The M-G-M Studio Orchestra
25. Make Believe - Reprise - Howard Keel
26. Reunion - The M-G-M Studio Orchestra
27. Ol' Man River - Finale Ultimo - William Warfield And Chorus
28. Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man (Outtake) - Ava Gardner
29. Bill (Outtake) - Ava Gardner

Customer Reviews:

great cd.......2007-05-07

I am very happy with this cd, it is as good as the movie is, not one song has been left out, a great cd to listen to.

Buy another version.......2007-04-28

I have several recordings of Show Boat, and as much as I like the movie version, this is by far the weakest recording of them all. This should actually be called highlights from Show Boat as the score is mercilessly cut. Most problematic is the really poor (in some cases terrible) sound. In their attempt to rerecord the music in stereo the sound has become muffled with no dynamic range at all. The stereo effects are just wishful thinking. My old Metro LP sounds better. Even Ava Gardner's excellent tracks can't save this one. I like most of the Rhino soundtracks, but you can skip this one.

Sount track.......2007-01-09

I goofed and did not pay attention to how it was labeled, I thought i was ordering the actual movie.. but his is a fine musical!

"Make Believe" alone is worth it!.......2006-07-26

I'm not even close to being an expert on music, but this album is so marvelous, so uplifting and beautiful, that it will send you singing the tunes all day. How can you not sing along with some of the best music of the 20th century? Kathryn Grayson and Howard Keel blend so perfectly, and Grayson's range is stunning. Ava Gardner puts her whole body into her songs and you can just picture her sultry eyes.

No doubt, this is the best purchase I've made all year. This is real MUSIC.

Great movie version of great show - BUT ..........2006-01-11

As other reviewers have said - this is a wonderful show - Jerome Kern's masterpiece. And it must be admitted that the performances are, on the whole, magnificent. Ava Gardner's own singing was overdubbed on the soundtrack itself - whoever decided this was necessary was obviously tone deaf - and the fact that we have her original versions is great.

SO why do I give this soundtrack version only 4 stars (actually if we had half stars I think I'd make it 3.5!

1. The arrangements are very "rich" - of course you are welcome to prefer them to the clearer, brighter orchestrations of just about all the available stage versions if you like - I for one don't!

2. The remastering is a little strange. They have rechanelled the original mono sound track into stereo - and although this is by no means so dire as usual in such cases (they were actually able to use the output of separate microphones!) it DOES sound just a little peculiar. Or is it just my aging ears? Anyway - the sound is really not outstanding, even taking into consideration that is is after all a fifties soundtrack.

3. The film bowdlerised the play quite a bit - as well as "sexual explicitness" - the anti-racist message of the original stage version was considered a little too blunt for fifties Hollywood. While the effect on the soundtrack is not great - there are one or two key songs missing. And changes to the lyrics like "I've got talent but it ain't been tested" instead of "I've got virtue but it ain't been tested" take away half the humour without necessarily making the show any "purer".

If you are a real fan of Show Boat itself, or of Jerome Kern, or even just of musicals in general you will probably NEED to own this CD, if only for the sake of completeness.

On the other hand, if you have a good stage version of the same show this one probably may not get played too often.

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

Broadway - The American Musical (PBS Series) Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Bernstein | Bernstein, Leonard | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gershwin | Gershwin, George | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Porter | Porter, Cole | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Weill | Weill, Kurt | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mancini | Mancini, Henry | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music English | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Musicals | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Best of Broadway - The American Musical (PBS Series) Broadway: The American Musical Broadway: The American Musical Broadway - The American Musical (PBS Series) Somewhere over the Rainbow: The Golden Age of Hollywood Musicals ASIN: B00064ADMK Release Date: 2004-10-19

Tracks:

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

Tracks:

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

Tracks:

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

Tracks:

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

Tracks:

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

Customer Reviews:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Average customer rating: An American Treasure DON'T DESPAIR. IT'S BEEN REISSUED!!!!! An American tragedy.... Gorgeous! Defective disc.

Show Boat (1988 Studio Cast): Von Stade; Hubbard; Hadley; McGlinn Frederica von Stade , Jerome Kern , Jerry Hadley , Bruce Hubbard , Teresa Stratas , David Garrison , Leslie Fyson , John McGlinn , and London Sinfonietta Manufacturer: Angel Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Hadley, Jerry | ( H ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Von Stade, Frederica | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Classic Musicals | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Revivals | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Broadway & Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Box Sets | Stores | Music Similar Items: Carousel (1987 Studio Cast) Pal Joey: 1995 Original New York Cast Recording Lady, Be Good! (1992 Studio Cast Recording) Kiss Me, Kate (1948 Original Broadway Cast) Oh, Kay! (1994 Studio Recording) ASIN: B000002SJL Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

1. Overture
2. Show Boat: Act One, Scene One - Cotton Blossom: Niggers all work on d Mississippi... (Stevedores, Gals, Queenie, Steve, Pete, 1st Mincing Miss, 2nd Mincing Miss, Beaux, Girls & Boys)
3. Show Boat: Act One, Scene One - Cotton Blossom: 'Andy!!!...' (Parthy, Windy, 1st Mincing Miss, 2nd Mincing Miss)
4. Show Boat: Act One, Scene One - Cap'n Andy's Ballyhoo: 'Here comes the Show Boat parade!...' (Boy, Girls, Boys, Andy, Parthy)
5. Show Boat: Act One, Scene One - Cap'n Andy's Ballyhoo: 'Hey Julie...' (Pete, Julie, Steve, Parthy, Andy, Ellie)
6. Show Boat: Act One, Scene One - Cap'n Andy's Ballyhoo: 'It's a man...' (Ellie, Ravenal, Vallon)
7. Show Boat: Act One, Scene One - Where's the Mate for Me?: Who cares if my boat goes upstream... (Ravenal, Magnolia)
8. Show Boat: Act One, Scene One - Make Believe: Only make believe I love you... (Ravenal, Magnolia, Vallon)
9. Show Boat: Act One, Scene One - Ol' Man River: 'Oh, Joe!...' (Magnolia, Joe, Men)
10. Show Boat: Act One, Scene Two - Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man: 'What cher doin' all by yourself, Miss Nola?...' (Queenie, Magnolia, Julie, Joe, Servants)
11. Show Boat: Act One, Scene Three - Life on the Wicked Stage: Why do stage struck maidens clamor... (Ellie, Girls)
12. Show Boat: Act One, Scene Three - Till Good Luck Comes My Way: The man who ventures with chance... (Ravenal, Men)
13. Show Boat: Act One, Scene Four - Mis'ry's Comin' Aroun': Mis'ry's comin' aroun'... (Queenie, Women, Joe Magnolia, Julie, Men, Solo Bass)
14. Show Boat: Act One, Scene Four - Mis'ry's Comin' Aroun': 'Take her up, Rubberface!...' (Andy, Julie, Steve, Magnolia, Parthy, Ellie, Windy)
15. Show Boat: Act One, Scene Four - Mis'ry's Comin' Aroun': 'Hello, Windy...' (Vallon, Andy, Magnolia, Steve, Julie, Windy, Ellie, Parthy)
16. Show Boat: Act One, Scene Four - Mis'ry's Comin' Aroun': 'You needn't all look at us...' (Steve, Colored Chorus, Andy, Parthy, Magnolia, Ellie, Frank)
17. Show Boat: Act One, Scene Four - Mis'ry's Comin' Aroun': 'Looks like a swell...' (Andy, Parthy, Frank, Ravenal, Julie, Magnolia, Steve, Joe)

Tracks:

1. Show Boat: Act One, Scene Five - I Would Like to Play a Lover's Part: Her face is fair to look upon... (Boys, Girls, Ellie, Frank)
2. Show Boat: Act One, Scene Five - I Might Fall Back on You: Little girl, you are safe with me... (Frank, Ellie, Girls)
3. Show Boat: Act One, Scene Five - Queenie's Ballyhoo: 'Is de theatre fillin' up, Cap'n Andy?...' (Queenie, Andy, Colored Chorus)
4. Show Boat: Act One, Scene Six - Villain Dance
5. Show Boat: Act One, Scene Seven - You Are Love: 'That you, Nola?...' (Ravenal, Windy, Magnolia, Parthy)
6. Show Boat: Act One, Scene Eight - Finale Act One: Oh tell me, did you ever!... (Firls, Boys, Chorus, Andy, Women, Men, Negro Women, Magnolia, Parthy, Vallon, Pete)
7. Show Boat: Act Two, Scene One - At the Fair: When we tell them about it all... (All, 1st Barker, Boys, Girls, Chorus, 2nd Barker, Men, 3rd Barker)
8. Show Boat: Act Two, Scene One - Why Do I Love You?: I'm walking on the air, dear... (Magnolia, Ravenal, Chorus, Andy)
9. Show Boat: Act Two, Scene One - In Dahomey: Dyunga doe!... (Dahomey Villagers, White Chorus)
10. Show Boat: Act Two, Scene Three - Convent Scene: Alma Redmptoris Mater... (Nuns, Mother Superior, Ravenal, Kim)
11. Show Boat: Act Two, Scene Four: 'All right, Jake...' (Jim, Jake, Julie)
12. Show Boat: Act Two, Scene Four - Bill: I used to dream... (Julie)
13. Show Boat: Magnolia's Audition - Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man (Reprise): Fish gotta swim, birds gotta fly... (Magnolia)
14. Show Boat: Magnolia's Audition - Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man (Reprise): 'Whaddaya say, boss?...' (Frank, Jim, Magnolia, Jake)
15. Show Boat: Act Two, Scene Six - Trocadero Opening Chorus: Let's make the new year... (Chorus)
16. Show Boat: Act Two, Scene Six - Apache Dance
17. Show Boat: Act Two, Scene Six - Goodbye, My Lady Love: So you're going away... (Frank, Ellie)
18. Show Boat: Act Two, Scene Six - After the Ball: 'Ladies and Gentlemen...' (Jim, Drunk, Andy, Magnolia, A Man, All)
19. Show Boat: Act Two, Scene Seven - Ol' Man River (Reprise): Ol' Man River... (Joe)
20. Show Boat: Act Two, Scene Seven - Hey, Feller!: When you yen for a gent... (Queenie, Chorus)
21. Show Boat: Act Two, Scene Eight - You Are Love (Reprise): 'That you, Nola?...' (Ravenal)

Tracks:

1. Show Boat: Act Two, Scene Nine: Cottom Blossom (Reprise): Cotton Blossom... (Chorus)
2. Show Boat: Act Two, Scene Nine - It's Getting Hotter in the North: Now up in the northern land... (Kim, Chorus)
3. Show Boat: Act Two, Scene Nine - It's Getting Hotter in the North: 'Say, Cap'n Andy...' (Frank, Ellie, Andy)
4. Show Boat: Act Two, Scene Nine - Finale Ultimo: 'Hello, Gay...' (Andy, Hope, Ravenal, Girl, Man, Magnolia, Old Lady, Chorus)
5. Show Boat: Appendix - Pantry Scene (Act One, Scene Two; deleted - 1927): 'What cher doin' all by yourself, Miss Nola?...' (Queenie, Magnolia, Julie, Joe, Servants)
6. Show Boat: Appendix - Waterfront Saloon Scene (Act One, Scene Three; deleted - 1927): 'Number four, black!...' (Voice (off), Ravenal, Loungers, Gambler)
7. Show Boat: Appendix - Yes, Ma'am (Act One, Scene Three; unused - 1927): Bet your hat... (Girls, Ellie)
8. Show Boat: Appendix - Kim's Imitations (Why Do I Love You?): (Act Two, Scene Nine; Ziegfeld Production - 1927): Why do I love you?... (Kim, Chorus)
9. Show Boat: Appendix - Dance Away the Night (Act Two, Scene Nine; London - 1928): Music in the air... (Kim, Girls, Boys)
10. Show Boat: Appendix - A Pack of Cards (Act One, Scene Six?; unused - 1927): One night as I sat by my fireside so weary... (Magnolia)
11. Show Boat: Appendix - The Creole Love Song (Act One, Scene Seven; unused - 1927): 'That you, Nola?...' (Ravenal, Windy, Magnolia)
12. Show Boat: Appendix - Out There in an Orchard (Act Two, Scene Four; unused - 1927): There was a sun sinking slowly in the west... (Julie)
13. Show Boat: Appendix - Gallivantin' Aroun' (Universal Film - 1936): Liza Matilda HIll... (Magnolia, Chorus)
14. Show Boat: Appendix - I Have the Room Above Her (Universal Film - 1936): 'Seems to me I've seen that stocking someplace...' (Ravenal, Magnolia)
15. Show Boat: Appendix - Ah Still Suits Me (Universal Film - 1936): 'Joe! Dere you go again!...' (Queenie, Joe)
16. Show Boat: Appendix - Nobody Else But Me (Act Two, Scene Nine; 1946 Revival): I was a shy, demure type... (Kim, Chorus)

Amazon.com

John McGlinn's sprawling, monumental three-CD set is about all the Show Boat any listener could ever ask for. In an obvious labor of love, McGlinn reconstructs the show as it ran on opening night, November 15, 1927, including every song, the original orchestrations, and all underscored dialogue. The most significant restoration is the dark choral number "Mis'ry's Comin' Aroun'," as Show Boat's serious subject matter helped establish its place as the most important turning point in the history of American musical theater. McGlinn also adds an appendix that includes songs cut before opening night and every song subsequently written for the show's many productions, most notably the love duet "I Have the Room Above Her," written for the 1936 film. (The recording is also available in a one-disc reduction called the "Broadway Show Album.")

Rest assured this 221-minute blockbuster is not just dry scholarship; it's also terrific listening, with McGlinn conducting a dynamic London Sinfonietta and a strong cast including Frederica von Stade as Magnolia, Jerry Hadley as Ravenal, Teresa Stratas as the tragic Julie, Bruce Hubbard as the worldly wise Joe, Karla Burns as Queenie, and David Garrison and Paige O'Hara as the comic couple Frank and Ellie. And of course the songs by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II are among the most glorious ever written: "Ol' Man River," "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man," "Make Believe," "Why Do I Love You," "Bill," "You Are Love," and "Life upon the Wicked Stage." Also included are exhaustive production notes, a history of the show, a detailed synopsis, and a libretto. John McGlinn's Show Boat is a staggering achievement and a recording for the ages. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews:

An American Treasure.......2007-03-03

When PBS showed the 1989 Paper Mill Playhouse production of Showboat, my five year old daughter fell in love with musical theater. To this day we never miss a production of Showboat, West Side Story, Music Man, Oklahoma or the rest of the great American musicals. These 3 discs are the closest you can ever hear to the original in 1927 and the recordings are leaps and bounds above any movie version or revival cast. Listening to Bill or Make Believe you almost want to cry at what Kern and Hammerstein were able to create.

I defy anyone to come up with another Broadway production that has three songs in a row better than Make Believe, Ol' Man River and Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man (West Side Story's Maria, America and Tonight are the best three in a row of a movie musical) and it's a shame that no movie version of Showboat can compare to this version. The first act is full of songs that are as good as any ever sung on a stage and I can't think of another production with a first act that compete against the big 3 plus Cotton Blossom, Where's The Mate For Me, Life On The Wicked Stage, Till Good Luck Comes My Way, Misry's Comin' Aroun', You are Love, Act One finale and Why Do I Love You?. You just don't want to have the music stop.

If you don't like opera you won't like this version. Sung the way Kern and Hammerstein wrote them, you can't help but feel the operatic nature of these songs. Tough noogies because Showboat is above all an opera disguised as a Broadway play and no sweetening should be allowed.

The four leads are all superb, Frederica von Stade as Nola especially. The booklet contains the complete libretto and allows a different way to appreciate the music.

If you buy just one version of Showboat you need this one. If you have other versions of Showboat you need this one. As a matter of fact, anyone with ears to hear needs this version. A true American treasure.

DON'T DESPAIR. IT'S BEEN REISSUED!!!!!.......2006-11-16

One of the great recordings of musical theatre ever. Although it's no longer available on EMI Angel, it was reissued in October, 2006, as an EMI Classic's "Great Recordings of the Century." It's been "Digitially Remastered at Abbey Road Studios from the Original Masters" and "noise-shaped via the Prism SNS system for optimum sound quality." If ART remastering does for this recording what it has done for other EMI Classics in my library, then it should sound superb. However, I understand the booklet is not as detailed as the one in the original 3-disc release.

Thank you, EMI.

I would hope other labels would follow suit and remaster and reissue other examples of classic American musical theater. It would be a pity if our children, grandchildren, and future generations were unable to savor "110 in the Shade" or "Little Mary Sunshine" or . . . . . . . . . (fill in the blanks.)

An American tragedy...........2006-02-06

This is the first of the great American musical plays, and probably remained unchallenged until the mid-1950s when West Side Story appeared. The term "musical comedy" does not apply. The few laugh lines are subsumed by the terrible sense of loss and disaster that work throughout the story. At its core is homelessness, the destruction wrought by racism, bad choices, human weakness, and reconciliation. The cast?--this was one of the few crossover recordings I've ever heard that actually worked. The trio of Jerry Hadley, Frederica von Stade, and Teresa Stratas is a marvel; Stratas in particular seems to have had a patented Dark Cloud that shadowed her. It's perfect for Julie Dozier Laverne. And the late Bruce Hubbard brings a magnificent dignity and voice to Joe--his singing of "Ol' Man River" amy not efface Paul Robeson, but can stand beside it.

Gorgeous!.......2005-08-26

Simply gorgeous! The most unforgetable music and the best voices! An album for all time!
M. J. Conrades

Defective disc........2005-08-15

I received this item on July 27, 2005. I played it on my portable CD player and found out that Disc 2 of the set was defective. It kept on skipping on my CD player. So, I returned it for a refund.

Average customer rating: Cotton Blossoms Great Teaser........ one of the best SHOW BOAT cast albums A wonderful, flawed recording Ummm...it's a good try

Show Boat (1993 Toronto Revival Cast) Jerome Kern , and Oscar Hammerstein II Manufacturer: Quality Video ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Carousel (1994 Broadway Revival Cast) Grey Gardens - A New Musical (2006 Original Broadway Cast) Pal Joey: 1995 Original New York Cast Recording The Drowsy Chaperone (2006 Original Broadway Cast) Curtains (2007 Original Broadway Cast) ASIN: B000001ZB9 Release Date: 1994-06-28

Tracks:

1. Overture
2. Cotton Blossom/Cap'n Andy's Ballyhoo
3. Make Believe
4. Ol' Man River
5. Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man
6. Till Good Luck Comes My Way
7. Mis'ry's Comin' Aroun'
8. I Have the Room Above
9. Life upon the Wicked Stage
10. Queenie's Ballyhoo
11. You Are Love
12. Actone Finale- The Wedding Celebration
13. Entr'acte
14. Why Do I Love You?/ Montage I: The Sports of Gay Chicago
15. Alma Redemptoris Mater
16. Bill
17. Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man (Reprise)
18. Good Bye, My Lady Love
19. After the Ball
20. Montage II: Ol' Man River
21. Kim's Charleston
22. Act Two: Finale

Amazon.com

When this Jerome Kern (music) and Oscar Hammerstein II (lyrics and libretto, based on Edna Ferber's novel) show premiered in 1927 it powerfully changed the course of musicals by being about something: the sweep of 40 years of American history, racial tensions and relations (including miscegenation), even spousal and parental abandonment. It also featured some of the most splendid songs ever written for the legitimate stage, both building on the operetta and music-hall past, and presaging plot-advancement and character-development numbers (which took another quantum leap in Oklahoma). "Make Believe," "Why Do I Love You?" and "Ol' Man River" became standards almost at first hearing, and the production was a hit in spite of the controversy surrounding it. Show Boat suffered only from the lack of sophisticated recording techniques to preserve the original performances, although Helen Morgan (who played the mulatto Julie) later recorded her signature song "Bill." Three movie versions and countless stage revivals kept Show Boat alive and popular--although bowdlerized--for almost 50 years without a definitive recording. (The 1971 production, with Cleo Laine as Julie, came closest.) But it's all here, in the 1994 Toronto recording whose cast transferred almost intact to Broadway. It's a glorious rendering from start to finish, with Rebecca Luker and Mark Jacoby as good as any Magnolia and Gaylord Ravenal we're ever likely to hear. And, I'm sorry Helen and Cleo, but Lonette McKee's "Bill" (with lyrics by P G. Wodehouse) is the most wrenching rendition I've ever heard. --Robert Windeler

Customer Reviews:

Cotton Blossoms.......2006-01-06

"....Oh, Gay!" cooes sweet Magnolia; Paul Robeson wouldn't have raised an eyebrow, although, nowadays, (where Sondheim and the English "grand operatic musical" have reigned supreme for two decades) a romantic lead called `Gaylord Ravenal', nicknamed `Gay', might have been eschewed, let alone the "n" word (Hal Prince ruled to change it for "color'd people"), also the melodies might be considered rather "passé"....yet hardly any current tenor would be too happy (or able) to go through the notes in "You Are Love" every single night.... passé or not.... So, can anyone consider some tune from `Cats' or `Phantom' either better constructed or more "modern" than, say, Kern's "I Have the Room Above" or "Bill"? Oscar Hammerstein's composer decades later, the great Richard Rodgers, tried his hand at "sublime choral writing" for children and nuns in is arch-twee billion-dollar "Sound of Music" score, yet, in comparison, Kern tackled "Alma Redentoris Mater" with simplicity and charm, having the bass intoning Ol' Man River as a Passacaglia. OK, maybe Ellie's numbers are a bit insipid, yet they retain wit and fitness from its forerunner, the English Music-Hall. On the other extreme, a jewel like "Can't Help Lovin Dat Man of Mine", with its gorgeous blue-note-scale melody, has hardly been equaled. Gershwin's aria "What You Want wid Bess?", a comparable gem, was written nearly 10 years later.... (the scholarly L. Bernstein, in his "On The Town" -particularly in the initial baritone song- had Kern and Gershwin, inherently, in mind).

This recording is beautiful, faithful to its period and the sound is transparent and perfectly well balanced. The voices are nicely styled and unmannered, the orchestra sounds just like it should: a pit band (unlike in so many revival recordings of great musicals that over-inflate the orchestrations with Wagnerian forces). Mark Jacoby is a fine light tenor, although a triffle thin at times; regretably, his "You Are Love" interval jumps are strained on top. Rebeca Luker sounds pure and perfect throughout, even when refraining "fish gotta swim" after the gorgeous bluesy rendition of Lonette McKee, maybe my favourite Julie of all times (since we couldn't ever have Lady Day in the cast....) Michel Bell is a passionate, robust-voiced Joe and Gretha Boston's Queenie is marvellous; her "Mis'ry's Comin' Round" remins both the shrewish Maria and the religious Serena Robbins from "Porgy and Bess"....(again, I recall Kern's influence on Gershwin's own folk opera).

A must-have album, expertly abridged., worth every penny (and of its $10 million Livent Inc. stage production) if only for Elaine Stritch's moving, anthological performance in "Why do I Love You?".

Great Teaser...............2004-08-29

This classic American musical seems to have suffered from some curse, which has successfully prevented it from recieving proper recognition and also seems to have produced very few official "original cast" recordings for us to enjoy.

Obviously, I'm not serious about such curse, but in my opinion, this 1993 Canadian production highlights recording, is the latest "teaser" which only makes us Show Boat fans all the more curious.

This recording is an excellent edition of the Jerome Kern legendary score. Though somewhat adapted to reflect changing ideals and delivery style, the score remains as faithful as possible to the original. The cast is absolutely perfect in all areas of performance art. I wish there was more of Robert Morse's Captain Andy, because the little snippets he recieves are only enough to want to hear more. Captain Andy has the fewest singing parts in the musical than any other character, which brings me to my next point.

It's more than obvious, that Livent rushed the tempo here, in order to fit as much material possible into one single compact disc recording. Whatever the reasoning behind this, it's rather irritating upon making it's first impression. I purchased this recording many years ago at a local Tower records store and shut it off by the end of the first track, because I couldn't keep up with the incredibly fast tempo. I recall my sister and I looking at each other with our mouths wide open. Yes, it's that fast!

Well, don't let this deter you from looking for a good used copy. This fast-forward-like tempo is limited to only a few tracks, mainly ensemble numbers, while the solos and duets are left unaltered. Sadly, it took me several years to finally discover the splendor of this recording upon giving it another try back in 1998. Since then, I've nearly worn it out.

I had the pleasure of seeing this grand Harold Prince production back in 1996, when it's 1st national tour parked itself into the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles. It remains my second favorite musical of all time and have since been waiting for an official full recording, with dialogue and original tempo intact. After Livent's misfortune, this is highly unlikely. Add this one to your collection at once! A must for any fan of great classic American musical theatre and a great teaser of a sampler for fans of this most neglected musical masterpiece.

one of the best SHOW BOAT cast albums.......2004-08-16

Hal Prince's epic revival of SHOW BOAT was a huge success in Toronto, and it quickly transferred to Broadway, spawning a national tour as well as productions in London and Australia. This cast album features the original Toronto company, headed by Rebecca Luker as Magnolia, with Robert Morse as Capt'n Andy, Elaine Stritch as Parthy, Lonette McKee as Julie and Michel Bell as Joe. This cast is simply sensational. This recording of SHOW BOAT is one of the more satisfying out of the myriad of cast albums that exist for this score. The Jerome Kern-Oscar Hammerstein score perfectly bridges the styles of opera, operetta and musical comedy to tell the sprawling tale of a troupe of river-players over a span of nearly 30 years. Orchestrations by William David Brohn (combined with the originals by Robert Russell Bennett) perfectly define the changing era's in the story. The cast also features Gretha Boston as Queenie, Joel Blum as Frank, Dorothy Stanley as Ellie and Tammy Amerson as Kim with Mark Jacoby as Ravenal. This recording is currently out-of-print because the company which bankrolled the revival (Livent) is no longer in operation.

A wonderful, flawed recording.......2004-03-22

Like the "Music Fan" who previously commented on this recording, I am also a theatre student specializing in dramaturgy, with an interest in musical theatre. And I happen to like this CD.

Yes, any production of SHOW BOAT should take into account historical accuracy. And yes, there are anachronisms in this recording (there are also anachronisms in the original score). But I think it's important to recall that while SHOW BOAT's plot begins in 1887, it was of course written in 1927 -- and revived by Harold Prince in 1993. This is the story of America's transition from the 19th century to the 20th, as seen through the eyes of several generations of 20th century American artists. Kern and Hammerstein did not intend their work to be a museum piece about the 1880's, nor did Prince intend his revival to be a museum piece about the 1920's. SHOW BOAT, as critic Ethan Mordden points out, is a musical that must constantly be reinterpreted and rediscovered for each successive audience, and this 1993 recording reflects that thinking. For example, the character of Julie may have been written for soprano Helen Morgan to play, but subsequent revivals have cast a belter in the role, to endow Julie with an earthiness and a contemporaneity and to contrast her with Ravenal and Magnolia's operatic grandeur.

The glory of Prince's revival, which won universal critical acclaim and a trunkful of Tonys, is that it gives SHOW BOAT its proper due as a great, groundbreaking work of American art, but it also acknowledges the problems inherent in the original book and production and tries to solve them. The character of Parthy, for example, was supposed to be a shrewish old spoilsport: that's tradition. But this production is about rediscovery, not tradition. Thus, Prince takes the song "Why Do I Love You?", originally a love duet between Magnolia and Ravenal, and reassigns it to Parthy to croon to the infant Kim. Elaine Stritch pulls it off superbly; with this brief number, she rescues the character from the trap of stereotype and turns Parthy into a complete person, full of wonder at her new role as a grandmother. Listen to Stritch's voice break with emotion as she sings "Maybe that's because you love me" -- it's a brilliantly human moment.

The major flaw of this recording is that it includes almost no spoken dialogue, except for brief passages in "I Have the Room Above Her" and the Act Two Finale. Much of the orchestral underscoring is included, though, and this seems to make the gap in between the verses of the songs all the more obvious. This elimination, in my opinion, damages the overall quality, since we lose the transitional dialogue that helps us understand some of the more complex songs like "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man" and "After the Ball." The former foreshadows how Julie will be exposed as a mulatto, and eventually be abandoned by her husband; the latter shows Magnolia discovering her own strength and identity, on the eve of the 20th century, by reconnecting with her family (Hammerstein's favorite theme). But without the dialogue, "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man" and "After the Ball" devolve from complex musical scenes into rather simple showtunes.

What's unfortunate is that the voices in this recording -- Mark Jacoby, Rebecca Luker, Robert Morse, Gretha Boston, Lonette McKee, and of course, Stritch -- are all well-rounded musical theatre performers with solid acting backgrounds. In particular, I wish I could have heard McKee use that rich voice to tackle the Miscegenation Scene. Certainly, these singer-actors could have handled the spoken sections better than do the glamorous opera stars of John McGlinn's comprehensive, if rather pompous, three-disc set.

One thing about this recording that takes a bit of time getting used to is the tempo at which the music is conducted. Some of the numbers sound, I swear, like they're on fast-forward. The overture, for example, clocks in at a brisk 2:47. McGlinn uses the same arrangement, with only a few additional bars of music -- but his version lasts a whole two minutes longer. The up-tempo conducting endows the score with an unusual vitality, but sometimes obscures the moments of romance and serenity.

But on the whole, the merits of this album far outweigh the flaws. I enjoy the 1993 SHOW BOAT recording very much, and recommend it to anyone who's seriously interested in the American musical theatre. Hope they bring it back into print soon; till then, have fun finding yourself a used copy.

Ummm...it's a good try.......2003-01-29

I'm sorry, I really wanted to like this CD seeing as I am a huge Show Boat fan, but I felt that it tried too hard to sound flashy and modern. The orchestra was harsh and shallow and the new arrangements were abominations on the great Robert Russell Bennett's originals. Yes, Rebecca Luker is a wonderful Magnolia, and I wish she had played the part in a better production. Mark Jacoby made me cringe so much, and Michel Bell had no oomph except for unneeded outbursts. The rest of the cast was decent enough. The only other thing that really makes me not like this recording is that I'm a theater student currently studying dramaturgy (that's where you research the period a play takes place in). Whoever was the dramaturg for this production should never be allowed to work again. The music was way too late 20's jazz in the first act, which is supposed to be in the late 1800's, and Lonnette McKee's belter Julie wouldn't have turned up for at least another decade or so. Am I too picky? Maybe. But if you want a CD with the real heart and soul of this piece, pick up the much-lauded John McGlinn studio cast. It is so much better than this one.

Average customer rating: Fabulous Dream Come True IT DESERVES 6 STARS Show Boat

Show Boat (1988 Studio Cast Highlights) Jerome Kern , Jerry Hadley , Bruce Hubbard , Teresa Stratas , David Garrison , Frederica von Stade , John McGlinn , and London Sinfonietta Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Hadley, Jerry | ( H ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: Little Mary Sunshine (1959 Original Off-Broadway Cast) Brigadoon (1947 Original Broadway Cast) 110 in the Shade (2007 Broadway Revival Cast) Camelot (1960 Original Broadway Cast) South Pacific in Concert from Carnegie Hall ASIN: B000002RR9 Release Date: 1990-05-08

Tracks:

1. Show Boat: Overture
2. Show Boat: Cotton Blossom
3. Show Boat: Where's The Mate For Me?/Make Believe
4. Show Boat: Ol' Man River
5. Show Boat: Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man
6. Show Boat: Life On The Wicked Stage
7. Show Boat: Till Good Luck Comes My Way
8. Show Boat: I Might Fall Back On You
9. Show Boat: Queenie's Ballyhoo
10. Show Boat: You Are Love
11. Show Boat: Finale Act One
12. Show Boat: At The Fair
13. Show Boat: Why Do I Love You?
14. Show Boat: Bill
15. Show Boat: Goodbye, My Lady Love
16. Show Boat: After The Ball
17. Show Boat: Hey, Feller!
18. Show Boat: Finale Ultimo

Amazon.com

This one-disc reduction of John McGlinn's monumental three-CD version of Show Boat provides 75 minutes of highlights in a package dubbed the "Broadway Show Album." McGlinn reconstructs the show as it ran on opening night, November 15, 1927, including the original orchestrations, and conducts a dynamic London Sinfonietta and a strong cast including Frederica von Stade as Magnolia, Jerry Hadley as Ravenal, Teresa Stratas as the tragic Julie, Bruce Hubbard as the worldly-wise Joe, Karla Burns as Queenie, and David Garrison and Paige O'Hara as the comic couple Frank and Ellie. And of course the songs by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II are among the most glorious ever written: "Ol' Man River," "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man," "Make Believe," "Why Do I Love You," "Bill," "You Are Love," and "Life upon the Wicked Stage." John McGlinn's full version is a staggering achievement and a recording for the ages, but this single disc is also splendid listening. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews:

Fabulous.......2002-10-03

Let me start off by saying that my first experiences with Show Boat came through the splendid 1951 MGM movie version. Having never seen Show Boat performed live on stage, this CD pretty much brings the live experience home (and note I said 'this' CD; the full 3-disc set would be just short of actually being front row center). The immortal Kern/Hammerstein score is one of my favorites (right up there with My Fair Lady, The Sound of Music, Annie Get Your Gun, and Brigadoon) and is definately one of the greatest ever written for the musical theater.

Since Show Boat does not have an official original cast album, I suppose that this one suffices quite well. All original orchestrations are used here and the music is as it was on opening night in 1927. This is the most complete version available (whether you go with the full set or just this disc). The 1946 revival cast album is the oldest 'complete' album and is nice when paired with this disc to give one a sense of how Show Boat sounded in the early days.

I really didn't care much for this CD at first, but after listening to it a couple more times, I like it better and better each time. McGlinn certainly did right by this one! I'm not too familiar with most of the cast (save for Frederica Von Stade and Paige O'Hara), but they're all great. You'd think that this is a recording of a live performance, not just a studio album. Fantastic singing is had thoughout. McGlinn also did a great job with Brigadoon 3 years later, and did he not have a similar effort with Annie Get Your Gun as well?

I still think that the MGM movie version and its soundtrack album are the best but this rendition is definately not bad! Highly recommended. But if you can, pick up a copy of the movie soundtrack or of the 1946 revival album for comparison.

Dream Come True.......2002-08-22

First, "Showboat" is my all time favorite Musical, from the '40's and '50's when my mother took us to the movies every Sunday. I have video tapes of the 1951 MGM version with Howard Keel and Kathyrn Grayson, as well as the earlier movie version. A few years ago, I saw a TV special on the making of the three Disc complete remake of Showboat, true to the original score. I tried to get a cy of it but no local store could help me. Then through the magic of computers and AMAZON.com, I obtained the three disc set plus this single CD, which I treasure. This one is the best, without doubt. Now I have the complete version of songs and music I only vaguely remembered from the TV special. I wish someone would make a movie just like this version so I could have it on DVD. The whole cast and orchestra are awesome, especially Frederica von Stade. I have since bought other CDs of her work. Buy the three disc set if you can afford it, it has a thick booklet with the actual score and dialogue. But if you cannot, buy this CD. This is the ultimate, the prototype Broadway musical.

IT DESERVES 6 STARS.......2001-06-29

I can't thank enough all the people responsable for this terrific revival cast album.Here is a perfect example of how you should do a classic show and maintain the original intentions of the writer and the composer.If they were alive,JEROME KERN and OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN would have been proud of the way their masterpiece have survived them.It is impossible to imagine a better version of the show;this is the definitive one.It's funny when you think of it,most people know the songs by heart,yet it seems that we rediscover the show with this version.Suddently ,we are in 1927 and mister ZIEGFELD is scared like hell that he will loose a lot of money with this;but that's strangely the situation in which the modern AMERICAN musical was born.

Show Boat.......2000-09-10

I really like this recording! The voices are really great. I especially liked "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man." I would recommend this CD to everyone who likes the show and musical theatre.

Average customer rating: Yup, it's great The historic set reissued at a "popular" price

Kern & Hammerstein II: Show Boat - Frederica von Stade, Teresa Stratas, Jerry Hadley, Bruce Hubbard, John McGlinn, London Sinfonietta & Ambrosian Chorus Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Similar Items: Chabrier: L'Etoile - Colette Alliot-Lugaz, George Gautier, Gabriel Bacquier, John Eliot Gardiner, National Opera Orchestra & Chorus, Lyon Jerome Kern's Roberta (1952 Studio Cast) Show Boat (1988 Studio Cast): Von Stade; Hubbard; Hadley; McGlinn Wonderful Town (2003 Broadway Revival Cast) A Little Night Music ASIN: B000I2ISLS Release Date: 2006-10-03

Tracks:

1. Show Boat/Overture
2. Show Boat/Act 1. Scene 1. Cotton Blossom
3. Show Boat/Act 1. Scene 1. Andy!!! Drat That Man, He's Never Around!
4. Show Boat/Act 1. Scene 1. Cap'n Andy's Ballyhoo
5. Show Boat/Act 1. Scene 1. Hey Julie! That's a Hell of a Thing to Do
6. Show Boat/Act 1. Scene 1. It's a Man...
7. Show Boat/Act 1. Scene 1. Where's the Mate for Me?
8. Show Boat/Act 1. Scene 1. Make Believe
9. Show Boat/Act 1. Scene 1. Ol' Man River/Oh, Joe! Did You See That ...
10. Show Boat/Act 1. Scene 2. Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man/What Cher ...
11. Show Boat/Act 1. Scene 3. Life on the Wicked Stage
12. Show Boat/Act 1. Scene 3. Till Good Luck Comes My Way
13. Show Boat/Act 1. Scene 4. Mis'ry's Comin' Aroun'
14. Show Boat/Act 1. Scene 4. Take Her Up, Rubberface!
15. Show Boat/Act 1. Scene 4. Hello, Windy
16. Show Boat/Act 1. Scene 4. You Needn't All Look at Us Like We Were ...
17. Show Boat/Act 1. Scene 4. Looks Like a Swell

Tracks:

1. Show Boat/Act 1. Scene 5. I Would Like to Play a Lover's Part
2. Show Boat/Act 1. Scene 5. I Might Fall Back on You
3. Show Boat/Act 1. Scene 5. Queenie's Ballyhoo/Is de Theatre Fillin' Up,
4. Show Boat/Act 1. Scene 6. Villain Dance
5. Show Boat/Act 1. Scene 7. You Are Love/That You, Nola?
6. Show Boat/Act 1. Finale. Oh Tell Me, Did You Ever!
7. Show Boat/Act 2. Scene 1. At the Fair
8. Show Boat/Act 2. Scene 1. Why Do I Love You?
9. Show Boat/Act 2. Scene 1. In Dahomey
10. Show Boat/Act 2. Scene 3. Convent Scene/Alma Redemptoris Mater
11. Show Boat/Act 2. Scene 4. All Right, Jake - Call 'em at Twelve
12. Show Boat/Act 2. Scene 4. Bill
13. Show Boat/Act 2. Scene 4. Magnolia's Audition/Can't Help Lovin' ...
14. Show Boat/Act 2. Scene 4. Whaddaya Say, Boss?
15. Show Boat/Act 2. Scene 6. Trocadero Opening Chorus
16. Show Boat/Act 2. Scene 6. Apache Dance
17. Show Boat/Act 2. Scene 6. Goodbye, My Lady Love
18. Show Boat/Act 2. Scene 6. After the Ball/Ladies and Gentlemen - I ...
19. Show Boat/Act 2. Scene 7. Ol' Man River (Reprise)
20. Show Boat/Act 2. Scene 7. Hey, Feller!
21. Show Boat/Act 2. Scene 8. You Are Love (Reprise)/That You, Nola?

Tracks:

1. Show Boat/Act 2. Scene 9. Cotton Blossom (Reprise)
2. Show Boat/Act 2. Scene 9. It's Getting Hotter in the North
3. Show Boat/Act 2. Scene 9. Say, Cap'n Andy, Sorry We Couldn't Stay
4. Show Boat/Act 2. Scene 9. Finale/Hello, Gay. She'll Probably Come ...
5. Show Boat/Appendix. Pantry Scene (Act 1. Scene 2; Deleted - 1927) What
6. Show Boat/Appendix. Waterfront Saloon Scene (Act 1. Scene 3; Deleted -
7. Show Boat/Appendix. Yes Ma'am (Act 1. Scene 3; Unused - 1927) Bet Your
8. Show Boat/Appendix. Kim's Imitations (Why Do I Love You?) (Act 2. ...)
9. Show Boat/Appendix. Dance Away the Night (Act 2. Scene 9; London - ...)
10. Show Boat/Appendix. A Pack of Cards (Act 1. Scene 6; Unused - 1927)
11. Show Boat/Appendix. The Creole Love Song (Act 1. Scene 7; Unused - ...)
12. Show Boat/Appendix. Out There in an Orchard (Act 2. Scene 4; ...)
13. Show Boat/Appendix. Gallavantin' Aroun' (Universal Film - 1936)
14. Show Boat/Appendix. I Have the Room Above Her (Universal Film - ...)
15. Show Boat/Appendix. Ah Still Suits Me (Universal Film - 1936)/Joe! ...
16. Show Boat/Appendix. Nobody Else But Me (Act 2. Scene 9 - 1946 Revival)

Customer Reviews:

Yup, it's great.......2007-05-06

Having just acquired this album and listening to it in one (l-o-n-g) sitting, I have to agree with everything stated by other Amazon reviewers. (I didn't think too much of Jerry Hadley, though.)

One other thing that struck me was the original spoken dialogue that contains quite a few references that are NOT AT ALL "politically correct" in today's social environment. I wonder how controversial it was when EMI was putting this production together; did they consider making changes to the original dialogue? Maybe it's like Mark Twain's Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer: a classic's a classic. Still, I doubt many school music programs are using this recording as a reference demonstration of American musical theater!

The historic set reissued at a "popular" price.......2006-10-30

In the fall of 1988, EMI made history by releasing a note-complete recording of Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein's immortal musical SHOW BOAT.

Surprisingly, the original 1927 version had never been recorded complete. Those in search of the entire score were forced to assemble it themselves from a number of available recordings.

The record labels were not making full original cast albums in 1927, although a few of the original stars made singles of their hit songs. Brunswick issued an album of highlights from the 1932 revival but only 3 of the six selections were by members of the Broadway cast.

Columbia's album of the 1946 revival was closer, but limited to five 12-inch 78 it covered only nine songs and the new Overture created for the revival.

Columbia re-recorded essentially the same program for a studio cast disc headed by Barbara Cook and John Raitt.

Cook starred in the 1966 Lincoln revival, recorded by RCA Victor but again it is a fairly truncated album covering little more than the key hit songs.

It seemed strange no one tried a 2- LP set, but when the show was revived in London in 1972 the cast album for that production was issued as a single LP in England and a special 2 LP set in the U.S. Still, it did not contain the entire score.

Dozens of other SHOW BOAT discs had been issued over the years, but none of them included the complete score with the original orchestrations.

That is what made EMI's set so historic. John McGlinn conducts the most authentic reading of the score ever laid down. Two very full Cd's cover the opening night score (and quite a bit of dialogue.) A third CD includes cut songs, alternate versions and new songs added to later productions. All of this was accompanied by a very thick booklet (134 pages!) that contained essays on the reconstruction, a detailed synopsis, all the lyrics and text as included on the recording and dozens of photographs.

The album was a huge, expensive gamble that paid off handsomely: The recording went to #1 on the Billboard Classical charts, was a steady best-seller for years and then just as interest was starting to wane, a new stage production premiered to rave reviews in Toronto and then moved to Broadway where it won the Tony as Best Revival of 1995 (it was, after all, the season's best musical) and enjoyed a long run.

Now, EMI has reissued this recording at a budget price. No, you don't get the same detailed booklet but you do get the wonderful performances by Jerry Hadley, Frederica Von Stade, Teresa Stratas, Bruce Hubbard, Karla Burns, Dave Garrison, and Paige O'Hara. If I have any quibbles with this set - and I am not completely sure it even qualifies as a quibble - it is the somewhat mannered readings of some of the dialogue. On the other hand, SHOW BOAT is about a theatrical family so there's no reason why they would not play broadly when off stage as well.

In the end, it's the music that matters here and the fine performances supplemented by McGlinn's bright conducting make this an essential disc for any theatre fan's collection.

Average customer rating: Competent if awkward not the most essential "Show Boat" but worth a listen... OK for its time, but could have been better

Show Boat (1966 Lincoln Center Cast) Jerome Kern , Oscar Hammerstein II , Barbara Cook , Constance Towers , Stephen Douglass , David Wayne , and William Warfield Manufacturer: RCA Victor Broadway ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Musicals | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Show Boat (1962 Studio Cast Recording) The Music Man (1957 Original Broadway Cast) The Great Waltz (1965 Los Angeles Civic Light Opera Cast) My Fair Lady (20th Anniversary Broadway Cast) Oklahoma! Selections from the Theatre Guild Musical Play: A Decca Broadway Original Cast Recording (Original 1943 Broadway Cast) ASIN: B000003F9D Release Date: 1992-06-09

Tracks:

1. Overture
2. Cotton Blossom
3. Make Believe
4. Ol' Man River
5. Can't Help Lovin' Dat man
6. Life Upon The Wicked Stage
7. You Are Love
8. At The Chicago World's Fair (Opening, Act II)
9. Why Do I Love You?
10. Bill
11. Bood Bye My Lady Love
12. After The Ball
13. Finale: Ol' Man River

Customer Reviews:

Competent if awkward .......2006-05-03

It's tricky to catch on a recording the energy needed on the stage to push a production along. Unfortunately, this recording suffers from that lack of "oomph." Everything is a bit sterile and detached, and the theatricality of the piece never feels totally genuine here.

The elements are all there: a brilliant and haunting score, Jerome Kern's memorable songs, some of Oscar Hammerstein's greatest lyrics, and a story that has more going on in it than any musical written since. But this recording does little to recommend the show.

The overture is dispatched cleanly but with little passion.

Constance Towers is a classy and genuine Julie; her rendition of "Bill" has a clean, simple beauty. It's one of the most honest renditions I've heard. And it highlights how brilliant the song is.

Ms. Towers makes a solid stab at "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man o' Mine" but the chorus is ghastly and awkward. Not to mention the conductor eventually takes the song at warp pace, like a record sped up. It's baffling and ultimately a sad loss.

Barbara Cook is a strident, forceful Magnolia with a pristine voice. I wish her forcefulness were put to better use, but the production does not do anything with it. William Warfield is an operatic Joe with a thrillingly strong bass voice. His approach to "Old Man River" works in this regard because the show is essentially the first true American opera. Like Ms. Towers, his clean attack works to his advantage and gives this song a pleasing honesty.

The rest of the cast is unremarkable (though some characters get short shrift in a highlights disc). Rosetta LeNoire as Queenie is fairly unmusical and her part of "Can't Help Lovin'" comes across awkwardly. I sense it worked better in the theatre. Stephen Douglass makes for a musically clean and genial Ravenal though we don't learn anything about the character this is particularly new.

Saddest of all, this recording misses any sort of southern sensibility. In fact, this production is utterly devoid of southern-ness: in both its lyrical beauty and its brutish ugliness. William Warfield comes the closest to capturing the social element of the time and place (though with a song like "Old Man River" how can you not?).

This production did not restore the haunting "Misery's Comin' Around." Subsequent productions and recordings have had the good sense to re-insert what should never have been cut in the first place. It's some of Jerome Kern's best music.

All in all, a respectable recording but far from what it could have been.

not the most essential "Show Boat" but worth a listen..........2005-07-22

This cast album of the 1966 Music Theater of Lincoln Center's SHOW BOAT revival may not seem an essential addition to your collection (given the myriad albums in existence for this score), however the cast assembled must surely count as one of the finest assembled to perform the legendary work.

Barbara Cook (SHE LOVES ME, THE GAY LIFE) is a thrilling Magnolia. Cook previously sang the role for a well-received 1962 Columbia studio cast album, but her performance here is probably even better. She's partnered by the stridant Ravenal of Stephen Douglass (DAMN YANKEES). Their duet of "You Are Love" fairly crackles.

The role of tragic Julie LaVerne is in the capable hands of Constance Towers (THE KING AND I), and the eleven o'clocker "Bill" is performed to great effect. Allyn Ann McLerie (MISS LIBERTY) gives the soubrette role of Ellie just what is required ("Life Upon the Wicked Stage", one of the score's wittiest numbers, is nailed perfectly). William Warfield reprises the role of Joe, that he played to great acclaim in the 1951 M-G-M film version of the musical (and the 1962 Columbia recording). He's partnered by the solid Queenie of Rosetta Le Noire. David Wayne (FINIAN'S RAINBOW) played the troupe leader Captain Andy with Margaret Hamilton (GOLDILOCKS) as his flustered wife Parthy (sadly she does not appear on disc).

This star-studded production of SHOW BOAT opened at the New York State Theatre on July 19, 1966 and ran for 64 performances. Sound quality for this RCA recording is quite good (some harsh analogue hiss and distortion but nothing too obtrusive).

OK for its time, but could have been better.......2001-08-28

This is the first stereo recording of "Show Boat" based on an actual stage production, as opposed to the many studio cast recordings which came before it. It carries over some of the artists who worked on the 1962 Columbia Masterworks recording--orchestrator Robert Russell Bennett, conductor Franz Allers, Barbara Cook as Magnolia, and William Warfield as Joe. The production,however, offers a weak, uncharismatic Gaylord Ravenal in Stephen Douglass and a shrill Ellie in Allyn Ann McLerie (who some TV watchers may remember as Molly Dodd's mother in the short-lived cult-TV favorite "The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd"). These are both Broadway musical veterans whose singing voices have fallen on hard times. There are also many differences from the 1962 studio recording, however, and not always for the better. Nearly all the orchestrations have been revised and a new overture has been arranged, which does not capture the haunting atmosphere of the dramatic 1927 one (preserved on the 1988 Angel EMI "authentic" album), or even the agreeable 1946 one (also used in the 1962 album). And worst of all, this 1966 album, taken from a production staged during the height of the Civil Rights struggle, tries harder to be politically correct than any other "Show Boat" before or since. The opening chorus "Cotton Blossom" has been shorn in half to eliminate the "Colored folks work on the Mississippi" section, and in keeping with this approach, "Ol' Man River" has also been deprived of this section, with its "Lemme go 'way from de white man boss" lyric. Queenie's section of "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man" has been rewritten so that "My man is shiftless/And good for nothin' too" now becomes "My man's a dreamer/He don't have much to say". (Of course, one can easily see that the recent 1994 Harold Prince production also pulled a similar trick.) But this production still offers some compensations. The beautiful score is still the best ever written for a Broadway musical, and because this is a recording of a stage revival, we get such goodies as a genuine black chorus rather than the usual group of standard contract singers, and a longer "Why Do I Love You?" (not played in its original 1927 tempo however) that adheres much more to its original arrangement than any other previous version of the song, as well as Ms. Cook and Mr. Warfield still giving excellent performances, although diehard Warfield fans will notice that his voice has here finally become a true bass-baritone and that he does have to strain somewhat for the high notes. Thankfully, however, we finally get to hear him in his bouncy, rhythmic section of "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man", something we were deprived of in the 1962 album, and he is absolutely delightful in that. In addition, Constance Towers is a magnificent Julie. Her "Bill" is truly moving, and not the unintentionally over-acted howler that Anita Darian's was in the 1962 recording.

Average customer rating: The Best Recording of the Bunch Generally a good highlights disc... but some reservations... a lovely recording Five stars for Barbara Cook alone! Pretty good

Show Boat (1962 Studio Cast Recording) Jerome Kern , Barbara Cook , John Raitt , Anita Darian , William Warfield , Louise Parker , Fay DeWitt , Oscar Hammerstein II , and The Merrill Staton Choir Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Musicals | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: My Fair Lady (1956 Original Broadway Cast) West Side Story (1957 Original Broadway Cast) Oklahoma! Selections from the Theatre Guild Musical Play: A Decca Broadway Original Cast Recording (Original 1943 Broadway Cast) Show Boat (1966 Lincoln Center Cast) Oklahoma! (1964 Studio Cast) ASIN: B00004THLR Release Date: 2000-05-30

Tracks:

1. Overture
2. Cotton Blossom
3. Where's The Mate For Me?
4. Make Believe
5. Ol' Man River
6. Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man
7. Life Upon The Wicked Stage
8. You Are Love
9. Finale Act I
10. Opening Act II: Sports Of Gay Chicago
11. Why Do I Love You?
12. Bill
13. After The Ball
14. Finale Act II
15. Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man (Mono) - Tess Gardella
16. Bill (Mono) - Helen Morgan
17. I Still Suits Me (Mono) - Paul Robeson
18. Nobody Else But Me (Mono) - Jan Clayton/Chorus

Amazon.com

While there's not much dispute that Show Boat marked the dawn of the modern musical theater, its 1927 vintage means it's never had an original cast recording to consider definitive, although there have been various revival, studio, and film casts, as well as John McGlinn's outstanding three-disc reconstruction and compilations of early recordings. This 1962 studio cast stars John Raitt as Ravenal, Barbara Cook as Magnolia, William Warfield as Joe, and Anita Darian as Julie. It's a good cast--Cook and Warfield subsequently appeared in the 1966 revival--but it just seems a bit polite and safe compared to the darker, totally immersing experience of McGlinn's set. Still, if you're simply looking for a single well-sung, reasonably priced disc of the many Jerome Kern-Oscar Hammerstein II favorites, this may well fill the bill.

The 2000 reissue includes original and new liner notes and four interesting bonus tracks: the original Queenie, Tess Gardella, singing "Can't Help Loving Dat Man"; the original Julie, Helen Morgan, singing "Bill"; Paul Robeson singing "I Still Suits Me," written for the 1936 film; and Jan Clayton's "Nobody Else but Me," from the 1946 revival. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews:

The Best Recording of the Bunch.......2004-11-24

There are several recordings of this landmark musical, and in my view, this is the best overall.

I've heard the soundtrack from the 1951 movie, which is pretty good. That recording, however, whitewashes some of the lyrics and is not as good in quality as this 1962 recording (which still edits some lyrics). There is also a 1988 recording which seems to be well liked, but I don't like the tempos, and the quality of the performers seems to be lower, especially with respect to "Ol' Man River." It is a thorough recording, though (3 CDs, w/ more dialogue)

My favorite recording of "Ol' Man River" happens to be on the Lincoln Center cast, but the rest of that recording is a hack-job. There is also the 1993 Toronto cast version with Michel Bell and Robert Morse, but I haven't heard it yet.

Which brings me back to this version. The recording quality is great, William Warfield does a good job, and the performances are very strong overall for all the hits-"Make Believe," "Bill," "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man," and "Ol' Man River." I'm glad I bought it.

Generally a good highlights disc... but some reservations..........2004-09-06

Columbia's stereo album of SHOW BOAT recorded in December 1961 has been a steady best-seller ever since it was first released.

It's a fine recording of the key highlights of the score. Barabra Cook, John Raitt and William Warfield are well cast and the stereo spread is effectively used in the staging. This is a santaized version of the original text: the openng chorus here is sung "HERE we all word on the Mississippi..." and other Hammerstein lyrics have been censored. Also the recording eliminates key numbers: "Till Good Luck Come's My Way", "I Might Fall Back on you", "Queenie's Ballyhoo" among others. Why was Joe (William Warfield) left out of the quartet segment of "Can't help Lovin' Dat man?" And, Why does Anita Darian pull the tempos around so much in Julie's songs?

EMI's 3 CD set using the original 1927 text and orchestrations is as definitive as we'll likely ever get, and the (now out-of-print) Toronto cast offers a good highlights version documenting the Tony winning 1994 Broadway revival. Still, this 1961 version is preferable to the 1966 Lincoln center version also starring Barbara Cook.

BONUS MATERIAL: In addition to the 4 listed Bonus tracks, those familiar with the original LP release will be pleased to discover a longer take of the Overture included here.

a lovely recording.......2003-06-04

This lovely studio cast of SHOW BOAT, originally minted in 1962, is one of the best recordings of the immortal score by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein.

The cast is headed by Broadway stars John Raitt and Barbara Cook, as Gaylord and Magnolia, along with a superb supporting cast including Anita Darian and Fay DeWitt.

John Raitt's full-throated voice is perfectly suited to the score, particularly "Where's the Mate For Me?" and his duets with Barbara Cook in "Make Believe", "You Are Love" and "Why Do I Love You?".

Barbara Cook, as always, is a delight. Her sprightly reading of "After the Ball" is almost worth the price of admission alone, but she is winning in all her numbers. Her clarion-like soprano never fails to amaze me.

Anita Darian is a suitably-tragic Julie LaVerne, and sings the plaintive eleven o'clocker "Bill" with emotion dripping in every note. Fay DeWitt's performance as Ellie is pure perfection, and her "Life Upon the Wicked Stage" is the comical highlight of the score.

This recording makes great use of the stereo speaker-seperation system, where the voices shift from speaker to speaker as though they are actually performing on the theatre stage.

This CD includes some bonus tracks that are very fascinating, including the original Julie, Helen Morgan, singing her own emotional "Bill"; the original Queenie, Tess Gardella, singing "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man"; and Jan Clayton, performing "Nobody Else But Me" from the 1946 Broadway revival of SHOW BOAT. Clayton played both Magnolia as well as Magnolia's daughter Kim in the revival.

This was (and still remains) a very popular recording, and 2 years later Barbara Cook and Anita Darian were recruited again by Columbia to appear on their celebrated studio album of THE KING AND I (which I also recommend that you purchase).

A must-own recording.

Five stars for Barbara Cook alone!.......2003-01-15

The mere presence of the greatest of all singer / actresses of all times makes this a must have recording for any lover of good music. Barbara Cook is the supreme performer of Jerome Kern's music.
The rest of the cast is very good too!

Pretty good.......2002-03-28

This 1962 Columbia cast album of Show Boat is pretty good all around. With a handpicked cast of some of the biggest musical stars of the time, Goddard Lieberson couldn't go wrong. John Raitt as Ravenal, Barbara Cook as Magnolia, and William Warfield (from the 1951 MGM film) as Joe. All the rest of the cast are great as well. This was the most complete cast recording of Show Boat when first released in 1962 and was up until McGlinn's set was released. The only reason this album gets only 4 stars is that the bright and brassy orchestrations are such that all the songs begin to sound alike after awhile. Other than that, not many gripes. Highly recommended.

Jazz Music:

1. Smack Up
2. Something for Everyone [Original recording remastered]
3. Songs of the Season
4. Sonny Clark Trio
5. Spanish American Themes
6. Spirit Sensitive
7. Spirits [Limited Edition] [Import]
8. Stan "The Man" Turrentine
9. State of Grace
10. Strength [EP]

Jazz Music

jazz music