The Music Man (1957 Original Broadway Cast) [Cast Recording]

Meredith Willson (Composer), Herbert Greene (Conductor), Buffalo Bills (Performer), Barbara Cook (Performer), Robert Preston (Performer), David Burns (Performer), Eddie Hodges (Performer), Pert Kelton (Performer), Helen Raymond (Performer), Paul Reed (Performer), Iggie Wolfington (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Buffalo Bills, Barbara Cook, Robert Preston, David Burns, Eddie Hodges, et al.
• Conductor: Herbert Greene
• Composer: Meredith Willson
• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Cast Recording
• Label: Capitol
• ASIN: B00000DQTY
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #75,018 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #65 in Music > Broadway & Vocalists > Musicals > Classic Musicals

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

126 of 126 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Be sure to get the remastered edition... Here's how to tell!, September 1, 2004

By 

Mark Andrew Lawrence "Theatre Reviewer" (Toronto) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Music Man (1957 Original Broadway Cast) (Audio CD)

Reading the reviews posted to date, some people complain the sound is tinny and the voices bounce between speakers while others claim the sound is fine.

Here is the story behind that!

THE MUSIC MAN original cast Lp was issued in 1958 in a lavish gatefold jacket adorned by the show's colourful postor logo (A cartoon of professor Hill and Marion the Librarian!) The album went right to the #1 position on Billboard's best-selling albums chart where it stayed for 12 weeks.

In the early 60s, Capitol had to press another batch of Lps to meet demand and they re-designed the cover. It was a single pocket jacket, no notes inside, just the songs and cast credits on the back and a colour photo of Preston. The label also doctored up the sound for "stereo" bouncing the voices from left to right.

IN 1987 Capitol issued their stereo remix on Compact Disc using the Preston photo cover. No liner notes, and the sound was harsh and tinny.

In 1993, as part of EMI's 40+ series of Broadway Classics reissues on the Broadway Angel label, THE MUSIC MAN was re-released using the original LP cover art. This time it was beautifully remastered and the stereo sound was restored to the original mix with the cast centre-stage. The booklet has fine notes and a detailed synopsis (something all the previous releases lacked.)

In short, IF buying THE MUSIC MAN (and it is a classic original cast album well worth having) be sure you get the remastered version on Broadway Angel. It is #3 in the series of Broadway Classics. Catalogue number: ZDM 7 64663-2.

AVOID the edition on Capitol label with the color photo of Preston. Though that edition was deleted many years ago, copies still turn up.

As for the performances, recorded just 9 days after the show opened to rave reviews, they are as fresh as can be. The whole album has a bright lively sound and moves swiftly through its 46 minutes. Compare with the movie soundtrack which retains Preston and Pert Kelton from Broadway, adds Buddy Hacket, Shirley jones and Ron Howard. Its a fine cast but marred by that flat, boxy Warener Bros soundstage sound. The recent Broadway revival also yielded a fine somehwat more complete album, but really, no one can ever replace Robert Preston and Barabra Cook!

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pristine!, June 7, 2002

By 

Jason W. Qualls (Missouri, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Music Man (1957 Original Broadway Cast) (Audio CD)

Robert Preston, Barbara Cook, Pert Kelton, and the rest of the cast hand in a very amiable performance of the Music Man, as the original 1957 cast. The Tony award-winning cast and musical is a must-have for everyone who enjoys old-fashioned Broadway with some nice twists. This is much better than the newer Revival cast recording, and although that recording is more complete, the voices on it are no match for those on this CD. Robert Preston is better that Craig Bierko, and is also better on this recording than he is in the movie soundtrack. Barbara Cook, with her down-to-earth rendition, is better than both the ever-breathy Shirley Jones and Rebecca Luker, whose almost coloratura tendencies aren't in character. As I said, this is a must-have for any musical lover's music library.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars DAYTON SAYS: BUY THIS CD, November 21, 2001

By 

Craig William Dayton - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Music Man (1957 Original Broadway Cast) [Angel Reissue] (Audio CD)

Am I the only one who has to suck back tears every time Barbara Cook sings these songs from The Music Man? What a gifted singer! I have listened to her renditions of Mr. Wilson's songs since I was a pre-teen. I am now 51. I have worn-out my original LP recording and am now the happy owner of the CD. About 20 years ago, I wrote to and received a letter back from Mr. Wilson. I wanted to tell him how much his music has meant to my life and that it inspired me to compose and arrange music. I will always treasure his letter. May I suggest that you buy this ORIGINAL CAST recording? I believe that you will treasure it for many years to come.