Customer Reviews

Girl I Left Home for

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Gwen Verdon, certainly one of the finest talents ever to appear on any stage, only made one solo album and this is it. The true title is "The Girl I Left Home For" although Rodgers and Hart's "The Lady Is A Tramp" is one of the twelve songs on the CD....every one a gem.

Recorded in the mid 1950's during her first starring role on Broadway, 'Lola' in "Damn Yankees," Verdon (backed by Joe Reisman & his orchestra) sounds terrific: sexy and innocent at the same time....wise and wicked and sly and very, very sweet (qualities that never left her, from her first Broadway appearances 'til her last, when she died this year-her final Tony Award for being co-creator of the spectacular song and dance tribute to her late husband, "Fosse.")

Along with such famous songs as "Ain't Misbehavin,'" "The Saga of Jenny" and "I've Got The World On A String" are real curiosities such as "Hot Night In Alaska" and "Bettin' On A Man." All the lyrics are included in a booklet with a few notes in English and JAPANESE!

Why (record company) won't re-release this treasure I have no idea, but the only way to purchase it now is through its Japanese distributor (BMG/Japan) and the cost is almost as high as three regular CD's. And yes, for anyone with a true love of musical comedy, it's definitely worth it. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

I always have liked Gwen Verdon and wish she was still around to entertain us. She actually was a better dancer than singer. Still she had a very unique voice that one could easily listen to. The quality of this CD is good and it is fun to listen to her sing some old standard songs.

In addition to the great renditions of Ain't Misbehaving, The Lady Is a Tramp, Ms. Verdon also interpreted forgotten great songs such as 'Mr. and Mrs. Fitch' and 'Find Me a Primitive Man'. Ms. Verdon voice sounded lustrous and comedic at the same time. These songs remind me of the ability of great singers and composers to be 'dirty and naughty' without being vulgar

Verdon has a unique, one of a kind voice, which is vulnerable and defiant and the same time. The song selection and orchestrations are excellent. A must have for any serious show goer. Ms Verdon sounds like a cross between Blossem Dearie and Lena Horne!

I love this cd! Gwen Verdon was truly one of the world's greatest entertainers and this rare opportunity to hear her vocals is a true delight!

Liked her singing, no stylization. 34 minutes - taken from an LP. All (all) the songs I knew had stanzas, choruses, verses left out or repeated - typical of a pop album with good material. A real drag. A few unknown (to me) Styne/Robin songs. Robin was a wonderful lyricist, yet who's ever heard of him - did you know he wrote (with Styne) the songs for Gentlemen Prefer Blondes? Like his words much better than Sammy Cahn's - sinatra's favorite. That's sinatra. Wish I hadn't bought it. A few cute songs I hadn't heard before plus "I've Got the World on a String" and "Daddy" which I wish they'd left out. A very disappointing album. And like her better in her OBC albums.