Customer Reviews

The Rodgers and Hammerstein Collection

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I have always been a fan of Rodgers and Hammerstein. This CD brings together many of their great songs. The music is beautiful. My favorite were Oklahoma and Edelweiss. The only thing about this CD people should know about is that it doesn't have the extrememly famous songs of Rodgers and Hammerstein like the Sound of Music and Oh What a Beautiful Morning.

The treat of this cd is it offers songs not often heard from the Rogers and Hammerstein canon. A number were cut in tryouts of their shows and some are familiar but with "pop" orchestrations and interesting alternate interpretations. Students of musical theatre will find this a welcome addition to their collection for it conveys a fine spirit of our musical history.

This is a bargain-priced collection of well-known and lesser-known Rogers and Hammerstein songs by different singers. What is especially noteworthy about this cd is that it includes a young Carmen McRae and a young Buddy Greco which will surprise you if you only know them from later on in their careers. Buddy croons rather than swings "All At Once You Love Her" and Carmen's voice has never been better than on "The Next Time It Happens". Bing Crosby fans will enjoy this as well since it includes three solo songs performed by him along with a duet with Trudy Irwin. The two songs featuring Hildegarde are also a treat if you're unaware of her marvelous voice. Judy Garland is also in fine form in "Boys And Girls Like You And Me". She makes this lesser known Rogers and Hammerstein song into an anthem which only a singer of her caliber could do. Some may get turned off by the mostly staid arrangements but the cd is quite inexpensive and many of the songs featured are hard to find. I personally really enjoy listening to this cd and I think many of you will too.

This volume, originally part of a four-disc set that included the OC recordings of Oklahoma!, etc., showcases the lesser known R & H songs for those that want that R & H quality but not "Some Enchanted Evening" for the millionth time. Highlights: Sylvia Syms "So Far" from "Allegro" and as another reviewer mentioned, the "Pipe Dream" songs "Next Time it Happens." Rarest is "I Haven't Got a Worry in the World." It is so worth the effort to find; if you like R & H you won't be disappointed, you may even be delighted!