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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Broadway's best kept secret!, July 6, 2000
This review is from: Pal Joey: 1995 Original New York Cast Recording (Audio CD)
Why does Pal Joey not hold the same place in America's heart as such musicals as West Side Story and The Sound of Music? This is truly a fabulous, wicked, and enchanting show that should be experienced by anyobody with even the smallest interest in musical theatre. Peter Gallagher is a perfect Joey, and of course the show's centerpiece, "Bewitched", is sung intelligently and beautifully by Patti Lupone. The orchestra is in top form as well, truly shining on such dance breaks as the seductive "That Terrific Rainbow" and the playful "Plant You Now." Of course, the musical highlites are Joey's numbers including the catchy "You Mustn't Kick It Around". "What Do I Care For A Dame" sparkles with the witty and satirical lyrics of Lorenz Hart, a master in his field. Richard Rodgers proudces some of his finest and riskiest melodies as well, perfectly setting the mood for this dark comedy. But perhaps, "I'm Talking To My Pal" is worth the price of the entire album. Though this song had unfortunately been cut from the original show, the decision to re-instate it was a wise one: this song is perhaps the most beautiful tune, both musically and lyrically, that the duo has ever composed. Though the verse could have been taken at a softer tempo and a gentler arrangement, this gem should not be missed. Buy this album, it is Broadway at its best.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Rivals classic 1950 studio cast recording in excellence, September 11, 1998
This review is from: Pal Joey: 1995 Original New York Cast Recording (Audio CD)
Until now we had only two recordings of this Rodgers and Hart classic - the riveting 1950 Columbia cast recording with great performances, great sound and great orchestrations -and - the mediocre 1952 Broadway revival cast. This new recording is splendid - sonically fabulous, the great original orchestrations used in the 1950 recording even more stunning with stereophonic and digital presence; performances by Lupone and Gallagher as well as rest of cast are superb. Brisk, breezy, jaunty and full of sass - a superb recreation that can take its place beside the recent concert revival recording of THE BOYS FROM SYRACUSE as stellar recreations of Rodgers and Hart gems.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
WOW!, August 24, 2002
This review is from: Pal Joey: 1995 Original New York Cast Recording (Audio CD)
What a terrific album! More than sixty years after it was composed by Rodgers and Hart, the score of "Pal Joey" shines as brightly as a new penny. The songs are just great: "I Could Write a Book" and "Bewitched" are of course absolute classics. But it's the less well-known numbers that really knocked me over -- it's literally impossible NOT to tap your feet, drum your fingers, shake your booty . . . or whatever during "Happy Hunting Horn" or "Plant You Now, Dig You Later!" This recording is first rate. That Patti Lupone is wonderful is certainly no surprise, but I have to say that Peter Gallagher's singing talent WAS somewhat surprising -- to me at least. Bebe Neuwirth makes a splash with the witty and wonderful "Zip" (a song about Gypsy Rose Lee). The rest of the cast is less well-known but extremely talented. The original orchestrations were used and they definitely stand the test of time. This is one super album -- and especially if you love the music of Rodgers and Hart!
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