Customer Reviews

Seventeen/High Button Shoes

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Seventeen is truly a "find." Delightful music in the R&H style with good performances that come right through the recording. There are 13 selections (unfortunately no overture) and all are worth listening to many times. From 1951 in very good sound. I have no clue on what label this was originally released. There is no plot synopsis so it's difficult to see how the songs fit into the plot. High Button Shoes has been around for a long time but has been difficult to find. Eight really good songs in much improved, good sound. Iconic performances. CD even includes some cover versions of some songs--none are as good as the originals.

These are two of the most wonderful shows produced on Broadway. Few have ever heard of Seventeen but it's score is simply terrific; not a dog to be heard -- and the voices are grand.. High Button Shoes stars the great Phil Silvers and Nannette Fabray. Of the many highlights is "Papa Won't You Dance With Me", the greatest polka ever to come out of a Broadway show. This is all about Rutgers,, so any alumni -- jump at the chance.

This double musical set is interesting as both shoes have that old fashioned feel. The best thing about this cd is hearing a very young Kenneth Nelson in "Seventeen". A great talent, taken too soon.

Back in the late seventies/early eighties I found an LP of the original cast recording of SEVENTEEN in a record store in New York. I was on the play reading committee for Buck Creek Players in Indianapolis at the time. Since the story takes place in Indianapolis, I snached it up! I was also intigued that it had as one of its producers the comedian Milton Berle and that it featured a young Kenneth Nelson of THE FANTASTIKS. The score, I found once I got it home, was simply charming and a delight to listen to. I am talking melodies you could not get out of your head! We chose to do it of course and it was chosen as the last show of our season. We had a small budget in which to do the show. Our costume designer sent out a call for members of the theatre group to donate their white sheets. With permanent markers of several colors, she and her crew hand decorated the sheets that were made into be the girl's gingham dresses. The costumes and the show itself were a delight and won local theatre awards.

There is alot of beautiful music reminiscent of the early part of the last century to recommend this CD...I have to say that there is also much talent contained between the leaves of this CD.....Kenneth Nelson, Nanette Fabray, and Phil Silvers to name a few and all with very good singing voices..I saw a production of "High Button Shoes" at the St.Louis Muny in 1965 starring Marge Champion, and Russell Arms, and they were wonderful in the leads...I can still see Marge Champion doing the soft shoe number with Russell Arms (of "Hit Parade" fame)..."I Still Get Jealous" and during the number she does an ASIDE to the audience and while staying in step says "Gower (Champion) should see me now" and probably had another line or two, that I don't remember now! Ha! She was married to Gower Champion for several years...he has since passed on and she is now in her 80's....unbelievable!