6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Forget the Hollywood soundtrack and grab this one!, April 25, 2000
This review is from: Girl Crazy (1990 Studio Cast) (Audio CD)
This cd is a must for anyone who loves 1930's music and/or George Gershwin. This is the complete restored broadway musical with all of the numbers as they were originally conceived by Gershwin. The performances are excellent, the recording so fine that one can easily imagine having orchestra seats to the original show. Original orchestrations. Contains at least half a dozen Gerhswin standards with plenty of other surprises. Don't miss it!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Musical Not To Miss, October 3, 2002
This review is from: Girl Crazy (1990 Studio Cast) (Audio CD)
As with so many Broadway shows, the story behind Girl Crazy is concerned with the quest for love and romance built into a thin story. The setting of Girl Crazy in Arizona provided a more exotic locale for 1930's America. What makes Girl Crazy so memorable are the songs: "Embraceable You," "Sam and Delilah," "Could You Use Me?," "Barbary Coast," " But Not For Me" and "I Got Rhytm." This is a well-cast recording of Girl Crazy with Lorna Luft (a daughter of Judy Garland) as Kate, Judy Blazer as Molly and Frank Gorshin as Gieber Goldfarb, to mention a few. The "But Not For Me" routine where Mr. Gorshin does several impression is truly wonderful. The vocal quartet singing "Biddin' My Time" are fabulous.
The orchestra, conducted by John Mauceri, play with real affection. They sound a bit muffled, as if they were playing in an orchestra pit, which may be an attempt for accuracy. The voices are loud and clear. This was the first complete recording of Girl Crazy made with the cooperation of the Library of Congress. The accompanying booklet is highly informative about the musical, the Gershwins and the orchestrators who expanded George Gershwin's musical ideas for the stage. This is a very special recording that is a great introduction to the musicals of the Gershwins.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gershwin's Finest Done to a T, January 9, 2002
This review is from: Girl Crazy (1990 Studio Cast) (Audio CD)
I have all the albums in this series. But "Girl Crazy," which kicked off the series, is by far the best.
Using the orchestrations from the original Broadway Production captures what the feel and sound of the show must have been. The Gershwins wrote their best pre-"Porgy and Bess" score for this show. And it is a pleaure to hear how such standards as "Bidin' My Time," "But Not For Me," and, of course, "I've Got Rhythm," were orginally orchestrated.
Lorna Luft is just plain great doing the Merman numbers. She's not Merman, but sings her songs with wonderful gusto and feeling. I had never heard, "Boy, What Love Has Done To Me," Merman's final number in the show. It is a world-class song and I'm puzzled why it didn't become a standard as so many other songs from this show did. Luft sings it beautifully with a deft bewildered, comic touch.
Frank Gorshin is also superb as the comedy-relief New York cab driver.
Indeed, everyone and everything is hunky dory on this album. Including the wonderfully silly "Cactus Time In Arizona."
The notes with this album are extremely informative and entertaining. When I read who was in the pit band and that they did jam sessions instead of breaking for intermissions, I wished I could get in a time-machine and see and hear every performance, including Merman's show-stopping high note in "Rhythm."
This is an essential album for classic Broadway fans or anyone who loves the Gershwins.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
