The Grass Harp (1971 Original Broadway Cast) [Cast Recording]

Claibe Richardson, Kenward Elmslie, Barbara Cook | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 13, 1999)
• Original Release Date: July 13, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Cast Recording
• Label: Varese Sarabande
• ASIN: B00000JMKR
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #187,280 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Overture

2. Dropsy Cure Weather

3. Floozies

4. Big Rich

5. If There's Love Enough

6. Yellow Drum

7. Marry With Me

8. Chain of Love

9. This One Day

10. The Babylove Miracle Show

11. Indian Blues

12. What Do I Do Now?

13. Reach Out

14. Finale: Yellow Drum

15. The One and Only Person in the World [*]

16. I Trust the Wrong People [*]

17. Brazil [*]

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A real charmer..., August 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Grass Harp (1971 Original Broadway Cast) (Audio CD)

THE GRASS HARP, based on the delicate Truman Capote novella and with music and lyrics by Claibe Richardson and Kenward Elmslie, was a spectacular bomb on Broadway, lasting a mere 7 performances in 1971. It was the usual story: a marvellous score doomed to oblivion by a weak book. Normally, a run of this length meant no cast recording, but the authors were determined, actually recording the music tracks in Germany and laying down the vocals later. Let's be grateful, for a score of particular lyrical and melodic beauty was preserved as a result.

Even had the songs not been exceptional, this recording would still be worth owning since it features the incandescent Barbara Cook (seldom in better voice). In her hands lovely songs become listening treasures, especially "Chain Of Love" and "Reach Out". But the whole album features singing of a high standard, with other delights being Carol Brice's "Marry With Me", Russ Thacker's "Floozies", and Ruth Ford's very affecting "What Do I Do Now?". Max Showalter brings a wonderful vaudevillian touch to "Think Big Rich" too. Warm, tuneful, uplifting, THE GRASS HARP has long been a cult show. New owners of this recording will have no trouble understanding why. It's a real charmer.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Whacky 70's, February 21, 2000

By 

John M Brown (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Grass Harp (1971 Original Broadway Cast) (Audio CD)

I had never heard of this show until a local theater company announced it would be producing it. I've been listening to this CD all week now, and am enjoying it very much. "Baby Love" is one of the best songs and really cashes in on the 70's sound that is prevalent throughout this score. The plot is very odd-ball and somewhat hard to figure out just by listening...that is where the liner notes come in handy. I would advise any hard chore musical theatre fan to add this one to their collection, but it isn't for those who think "Les Mis" or "The Phantom of the Opera" are the end-all of musicals.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the finest scores of a flop show, October 4, 2004

By 

Cole N. Ansier (Madison, WI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Grass Harp (1971 Original Broadway Cast) (Audio CD)

I can't believe I didn't discover this score sooner. The music is some of the most gorgeous and unusual I've ever heard. Songs like "Dropsy-Cure Weather", "Chain of Love", "Reach Out", "Yellow Drum" and the bravura musical scene "Babylove's Miracle Show" are absolutely impossible to forget. A few have criticized Collin's numbers as being "cheesy 70s trash", but I actually think they're very appropriate for the character and incredibly catchy. It's really unfortunate that none of Claibe Richardson's shows have seemed to work very well onstage, because his music is lush, suprising, deep, and deeply moving. Not only does this album have all this great music to recommend it, but it also has Barbara Cook, Broadway's all-time greatest vocalist, in her last book show to date. She's truly remarkable, making songs like "Chain of Love" complex one-act playlets. One thing that's often forgotten about Cook is how fine an actress she is, and that quality is ever-present here, as Cook takes a very unusual, free-spirited character and makes her a singular creation. The performances of Russ Thacker, Karen Morrow (one of the classic flop indicators), and the great Carol Brice are also pungent and vivid. Highly recommended for any Broadway lover!