Carousel: Selections from the Theatre Guild Musical Play: A Decca Broadway Original Cast Album (Original 1945 Broadway Cast) [Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered, Soundtrack]

Richard Rodgers (Artist), Oscar Hammerstein II (Artist), Jan Clayton (Artist), John Raitt (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 16, 2000)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered, Soundtrack
• Label: Decca Broadway
• ASIN: B00004T9TC
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #194,596 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

For a long time Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel lived in the shadow of its phenomenally successful immediate predecessor, Oklahoma! Based on Ferenc Molnar's play Liliom, Carousel took many risks for its time, and it's now easier to appreciate them. Though the songwriters gave the story a more upbeat ending, the subject matter, about a brutal man's treatment of the women in his life and its impact on his fate, was undeniably dark. Furthermore, Rodgers and Hammerstein were arguably more stylistically audacious than in Oklahoma!. Rodgers, for instance, dispensed with the traditional overture, composing a piece titled "Waltz Suite: 'Carousel'" instead. No wonder, then, that many R & H fans actually prefer Carousel to its older sibling. This 50th-anniversary edition of the recordings made by the original cast offers alternate takes of three tracks. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ultimate Billy Bigelow, March 12, 2001

By 

Lee Ann,music lover "music lover" (Middletown, OH USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Carousel: Selections from the Theatre Guild Musical Play: A Decca Broadway Original Cast Album (Original 1945 Broadway Cast) (Audio CD)

I don't remember the first time I heard John Raitt do the Soliloquy,I did not see the ORIGINAL PRODUCTION..(Wasnt born yet). I do know that he is the best! Several years ago he performed with the Boston Pops and of course he had to do that number. What a voice! Although this recording is in monaural, it is still worth the price! I am one of those people who think that Carousel was Rodgers and Hammerstein's best work, and there is always something magical and sad about cranking a recording of the OBC up on the stereo,especially "Highest judge of all". What a find,what a treasure!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the peerless original cast, February 20, 2004

By 

Byron Kolln (the corner where Broadway meets Hollywood) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Carousel Original Cast Album (Audio CD)

This CD from the MCA Broadway-Gold range features the peerless original 1945 cast of Rodgers and Hammerstein's CAROUSEL, regarded by the duo as their favorite of all their collaborations.

The 1945 cast featured John Raitt, in his Broadway debut, as the carnival barker Billy Bigelow with the lovely Jan Clayton as Julie Jordan. The role of Carrie is played by Jean Darling with the cast rounded out by Christine Johnson as Nettie, Eric Mattson as Enoch Snow, Murvyn Vye as Jigger and Connie Baxter.

Raitt's amazing voice perfectly inhabits songs like "The Highest Judge of All" and the breathtaking "Soliloquy". Jan Clayton is a perfect fit for Julie. Miss Clayton would go on to further distinction a few years later, playing both Magnolia and Kim in a landmark revival of SHOW BOAT. Jean Darling perfectly captures the breathless romantic longing of Carrie with the delightful "Mister Snow".

Sound quality is quite good for the age of the material. This cast album is naturally a must-own for all fans of musical theatre

20 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Buy the 1993 London Cast Recording, July 26, 2001

By 

Bradley Cooper - See all my reviews

This review is from: Carousel: Selections from the Theatre Guild Musical Play: A Decca Broadway Original Cast Album (Original 1945 Broadway Cast) (Audio CD)

"Carousel" is the great American musical. Try as they might, no composer (including Rodgers and Hammerstein) has surpassed it.

Having said that, I would recommend the 1993 recording of the Original London Cast of the Nicholas Hytner revival of "Carousel" over this one. While I am a bigger fan of the voices here (especially John Raitt and Jan Clayton), the truncated numbers and out-and-out cuts make listening to this album a tragic experience.

I am usually a believer that the original cast recording is the one to buy as it represents what the composer had in mind while putting the show together, but I do not believe that here. The 1993 recording is far better than this. While this 1945 recording does hold an important place in history, the 1993 recording should be considered definitive.