Customer Reviews

The Grass Harp (1971 Original Broadway Cast)

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4 star:		(1)
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2 star:		(1)
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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.

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.

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!

This exhilarating recording is essential to any serious musical theater enthusiast. The thrilling, varied score, with stunning orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick, comes across in all its glory. Barbara Cook is in magnificent form on the luxurious "Chain of Love" and the poignant "Reach Out." One of Broadway's great vocalists, Karen Morrow, dares you to stay in your seat on the dynamic "The Babylove Miracle Show." The rambunctious Russ Thacker brings full conviction to "Floozies," a hilarious pean to a teenage boy's naive sexual fantasies. Carol Brice shines on "Marry with Me," having received a post card marriage proposal from Bill but not knowing from which Bill it was sent. The company brings home the driving force of the uplifting march of freedom, "Yellow Drum." First class all the way - material and production - this score grows richer with each hearing. A delicate gem of a show for any theater company brave enough to give its audience an extraordinary, unusal musical it doesn't already know. This recording makes it easy to understand why THE GRASS HARP has long been considered one of the lost treasures of the musical theater.

This is a score of a show that for several reasons didn't become a hit on Broadway. Personally I blame the book, but, hey, you might have your own opinion. I just don't think it lives up to the lush rapture of songs like "Chain of Love" or the thrilling spirit of "The Babylove Miracle Show." As one of the other reviewers dared you to listen to "Floozies" and not laugh, I invite you to listen to it and laugh loudly because it was written as a comedic song and a rather good one as well!

I strongly recommend this to anyone who is looking for recordings of obscure musicals. And even if you don't share my passion for the show, you'll still have a recording featuring Barbara Cook, and that will always be a good thing!

This little known musical is a gem. Of course, anything with Barbara Cook is worth hearing and savoring. It opened at a time when British musicals were creating great box office and this somewhat "old fashioned" musical fell through the cracks. It is a delight. The composer, Claibe Richardson, fortunately decided to record it before it was forgotten. I believe that he took his music to London to lay down the tracks then brought them back to NYC to combine with the singing artists. The result is a charming musical that is a welcome addition to any Broadway collection.
You'll find yourself humming "Yellow Drum", "Chain of Love", and many more after the first playing.

I find it rather difficult to share the opinions of many other people who view this show as one of the lost treasures of the musical theater. I think of it as a missed opportunity - a lovely, intimate story and fascinating characters which could make for a wonderfully delicate musical; instead we get . . this. Some of the music is indeed ravishing; generally when the principal women are involved it is quite charming. But when the men open their mouths, its clear we are in amateurland. Just try - try - to listen to "Floozies" and not burst out laughing. The score swings wildly between folksy ballads and pure unadulterated 70's trash (much of it obviously inspired by Burt Bacharach.) What a show this could have made! What a shame.