Customer Reviews

Golden Boy

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

GOLDEN BOY was a 1964 Broadway musical starring Sammy Davis Jr. It was edgy and dramatic and despite some turmoil during the out-of-town try-out, it came into New York in good shape and was greeted by strong reviews.

Capitol taped the cast album a few days after the opening. But Sammy Davis has been experiences bought of laryngitis and felt his vocal performance sounded raspy. (It does, but it serves the gritty material well.) SO, some months later he persuaded Capitol to let him re-record his tracks. The newer versions reveal a smoother voice but he takes many liberties with the vocal lines adding stylizations that were not part of the original score. The remixed LP was issued (with a different cover art) and reissued again in 1977.

There have been 4 CD releases of this title. The first on Bay Cities had only a short catalogue life. EMI's release in their Broadway Angel series of Broadway classics lasted a little longer (and had excellent liner notes in the booklet.) Razor&Tie did a cheap re-release and now it's back on DRG. All 4 CD editions use the re-mixed LP master. A shame no one thought to include the original tracks even if they have to be dubbed from an LP (the master tapes were said to be destroyed.)

The re-recorded songs are: Night song, Gimme Some, Stick Around, I Wanna Be With You, and Can't You See it. Also the re-mix uses "The Fight" as the Final Track (A ballet fight scene with mostly rhythm accompaniment) whereas the original LP included a dramatic and moving reprise of "Gimme some." Collectors should watch for the original LP in used record stores to hear the full score.

Still, this is one of the best and most under-rated scores by Charles Strouse and Lee Adams. Billie Daniels has a great number "While the City Sleeps" and shares the spotlight with Davis in "This is the Life." Even with the inferior second takes, "Night Song" and "I wanna Be with You" remain powerful.

It is a score that improves with each listen, and a shame it remains so little known.

Sammy Davis Jr.,Paula Wayne,Billy Daniels and the ensemble combine to deliver an entertaining remake of the classic story. This one had breakthrough lyrics related to the sensitive black/white relationship at the heart of the story. My favorites are 'I want to be with you,' and the light-hearted '127th Street,' although 'No More' deserves to rank with 'We Shall Overcome' in the annals of up-by-the-boot-straps spirituals. Some of the lyrics dealing with the icons of 1964 are amusing in retrospect, but the music holds up well from a distance of nearly 40 years. Onward.

The score for Golden Boy written by Charles Strouse and Lee Adams is neglected. It's quite sad that it is because the entire piece is so brilliant. Strouse's music is filled with urban jazz flavored pieces that are wonderful. Adams' lyrics are sharp, sardonic and sometimes even touching.
Sammy Davis Jr. gives a performance that deserved to be be legendary. The rest of the cast is top notch as well. Billy Daniels shines in my favorite song, "While the City Sleeps."
It was the year of Fiddler on the Roof, everyone was thrilled and exited with Fiddler. Although Fiddler on the Roof is excellent and a classic, Golden Boy is my kind of show and in my opinion...better.

Not only was the CD in pristine condition, it was like a time machine back to 1964, when Broadway had a certain sound to it that was exactly what Sammy Davis Jr. could deliver. The ideas presented about race and how it hurts and hinders you are as topical today (alas!) as they were then. And, if you can get through the Broadway production, the numbers are beautifully written, really saying something! A treat!

This is a terrific musical. One of Charles Stouse's best scores, if not THE best ( far more interesting than "Annie", for which he is more famous). Sammy Davis Jr. sounds better than I ever heard him. I guess I'd forgotten how good he was. A "must" for any fan of American musical theatre.

NOTE: The following review, with a couple of small edits, was posted on July 12, 2004, before DRG reissued this recording.

Having noticed that GOLDEN BOY had been discontinued and that a hole existed in my collection between GOLDEN APPLE and GOLDEN RAINBOW, I ordered a used copy to fill the gap. Based on prior reviews, I was prepared for a so-so Strouse & Adams score, so I was pleasantly surprised when I finally heard it. Frankly, I think that GOLDEN BOY is one of the strongest scores by the prolific team responsible for BYE, BYE BIRDIE; ALL AMERICAN; IT'S A BIRD. . . IT'S A PLANE. . . IT'S SUPERMAN!; APPLAUSE; ANNIE.

Originally released on a Capitol LP, this 1999 remaster on Razor & Tie (a division of EMI) definitely deserves to remain in the catalogue. Documenting the talents of Sammy Davis, Jr. and the great Billy Daniels, the score is considerably better that those for APPLAUSE and IT'S A BIRD. . . IT'S A PLANE. . . IT'S SUPERMAN!, both still in circulation. The subtle references to poverty and race in "Night Song" and not-too-subtle ones in "Colorful" and "Don't Forget 127th St." are lyricist Lee Adams in his prime. Charles Strouse's melodies are also fine.

Although 1962's NO STRINGS featured inter-racial leads, GOLDEN BOY was the first Broadway musical to make a real issue of race differences. And as liberal-minded as many of us claim to be, I'd venture there were many theatre goers shocked to see a black man (Davis) romance a white woman (Paula Wayne) on stage. With the proper cast and a little updating, GOLDEN BOY could probably do well on Broadway today. The themes and issues are still relevant, although the male lead probably would have to become a basketball player or hip-hop artist.

GOLDEN BOY is not a great show, but it has a lot to recommend it. Let's hope that DRG or Fynsworth Alley decides to resurrect it. I'd advise anyone interested in the history of Broadway musicals to snap up the remaining copies ASAP. (see note)

P.S. A minor correction to Amazon's editorial review: Bill Holdship states that Sammy Davis, Jr. made his Broadway debut in GOLDEN BOY. Not so. It was MR. WONDERFUL in 1957.

NOTE (1/12/06) ---- DRG's reissue is due on February 7. Get it!

This 1964 show has a very fine score by Charles Strouse and Lee Adams...a much darker score than is usual for this team. The original Capitol Lp was withdrawn and re-released with some of the tracks re-recorded by Sammy Davis who was in poor voice when the original album sessions were held. Also the re-release has "The Fight" (essentially a dance number) instead of the actual show finale used on the first release. It is the 2nd album that has served for all 3 CD releases. (Apparently the master tapes for the originals are long gone.)

The re-recorded songs are: "Night Song", "Stick Around", "I Want To Be With you", and "Can't You See it."

Even with the re-recorded tracks this album is well worth having. One of the best tracks, however, is Billie Daniel's song "While the City Sleeps."

Although I applaud this reissue (I have a similar reissue from Bay Cities about ten years old), this is not identical to Capitol Orignal Cast album. Instead of ending with "The Fight", the LP ended with an Epilogue that told us what happened to the Davis character (he was killed in a car accident). Although it was short, it was a very moving ending to a very good show.

Can not get over the level of proffetionalism ,in the way the order was handled & the condition in which the item had arrived.
Keep it up.

I SAW THIS PLAY ON BROADWAY AND HAD THE LP FOR YEARS... I WAS GLAD TO SEE THAT IT WAS IN CD FORM. NOW I CAN ENJOY THE MUSIC AGAIN ALONG WITH THE WONDERFUL VOICE OF SAMMY DAVIS JR.