Customer Reviews

Shenandoah (1975 Original Broadway Cast)

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This is one of my favorite show albums (and I have some 500). The show played three years on Broadway, despite, or maybe because of its wholesome, old-fashioned values. Based on the James Stewart film of the same name, "Shenandoah" begins on a farm in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley, in the early days of the Civil War, where the Anderson boys are itchin' to get into the fight. Their father Charlie (John Cullum, who won a Tony as best actor in a musical for this role), won't hear of it. He's heard it all before. But circumstances will bring the family into the conflict, cause pain and heartache, and change them all.

The two 'Meditation' numbers are among my favorite cuts. They are far-ranging, reflective solos that sum up the entire show beautifully. Charlie tries to make sense of the world and his family's place in it while talking to his wife's grave. As he shares the memories of settling in the Shenandoah Valley ("we started on a penny and a crumb"), and raising their many children ("a loving wife with child again, and I'm thinkin' I should sleep with the cow, Martha, yonder in the barn with the cow"), the listener can almost see farm and family, and can feel his pain when he sings about his beloved wife's death.

Fans who know John Cullum's work primarily from his years starring as bar owner "Holling Vincour" on "Northern Exposure" (and also from his work this season on "E.R.") will find his character in "Shenandoah" to be the closest of his many Broadway roles to those TV characters...fiercely loyal, independent, sometimes cantankerous, but also loving and caring.

I saw it on Broadway in 1976, and for years I owned the cast recording on LP. It got broken and it was many years before I found it on CD. As soon as the overture started I knew it was still my favorite The patriarch, played so well by John Collum vows that "They'll never take my sons to face those Yankee guns" but eventually the war invades his farm in the Shenandoah valley. Regardless of what he believes, its time to begin fighting, but not for the cause of states' rights. Rather, the Anderson family fights for what matters most - their family. The drama that unfolds, and the wonderful ending are more than enough reason to stay up late and watch the movie version, but the music from the Broadway play adds more depth to the characters and their daily struggles. Whether it is the lighthearted tunes such as "Freedom" or "Next to Lovin' I like Fightin", or the deep, thoughtful solos such as "I've Heard it All Before" the music guides the story and gives us a glimpse of what day to day life must have been like for most Americans from 1861-1865. As the Andersons struggle to pursue a normal life in the face of the ever encroaching war, the sense is there that this struggle involves far more than politics and cannon fire. Anderson's personal beliefs are tested over and over until he finds he can no longer stay out of the war. The cost to his family and himself is huge, but in the end, the family, although tragedies mount, manages to stay together and to stay strong. I'd give anything to see the full Broadway version again, but failing that, this CD makes me feel like I am back there seeing it for the first time.

I first owned this soundtrack in vinyl when it was originally released in the early '70's. I alway regretted never seeing John Cullum do the show.( I saw it in summer stock.) It may be a bit hokey by some standards,but I find it quite appealing. I particularly like the "meditation" at the end of the show. Don't let anyone tell you the ending! When I saw it there was not a dry eye in the place! I have a friend who calls it the last great family groupie musical.

Considering that in 1975...it had to open with A CHORUS LINE, THE WIZ, and PIPPIN. Plus GREASE was still running strong. I missed the original cast but I saw it on the road...and no play made me tear up at the finale like this one. The music is excellent....my favorite was Freedom, the most uplifting piece in the score. Plus John Cullum at his best, a beautiful tenor voice...powerful and strong! Plus Penelope Milford humorous OVER THE HILL! And the rousing theme of the Anderson Boys...NEXT TO LOVIN' I LIKE FIGHTIN'! I love this so much that I have three copies of the Cast album. and two copies of the CD! The sound is excellent on the CD. You'll find yourself singing along with PASS THE CROSS TO ME.

I love this CD...what else can I say? First off, John Cullum is my favorite performer, ever. His voice is so beautiful and powerful, and I think he does his best work on this CD. He can express so many emotions in a single song...most evident in the two 'Meditation' numbers. Second, the story is great. Though some may find it old-fashioned and overwhelmingly cliched, I find comfort in the values expressed in the play's music. There are so many great messages about war, family, and friendship in this play, and they really echo in the music. I highly, highly recommend this CD.

This CD is great. John Collum is a great actor and singer. As the other reviewers have said it about a family during the Civil War who are drawn into the fighting. The music is wonderful and tells the story. I like THE PICKERS ARE COMING which I find very poignant because the Father sees that his Daughter will be getting married soon. This is a situation that parents have to face in all walks of life as their children leave home. Get this CD, and you will love it.

I was living in New York City when SHENANDOAH debuted on Broadway, and was fortunate to see this musical twice starring John Cullum as Papa Anderson.
I love the show, never forgot it, and now that CSN in Las Vegas is thinking of producing it, I'm reliving my experiences and enjoyment of SHENANDOAH. Terrific musical; but it is a 3 handky musical. You'll love the romance, fun, and heartbreak of this story of a father who fights for his family, on this wonderful CD.

I just received the Shenandoah (1975 Original Broadway Cast) CD and it's just as wonderful as I remember it growing up!! Why haven't they put this musical BACK on Broadway?!! It deals with war (which is a timely subject), and the music is as close to Rogers & Hammerstein as you can get!!

It's basically the same story as the movie starring Jimmy Steward. It treats a touchy subject with whimsy and just enough drama for you to get an idea of what the people of the era felt about the issues and the confusion on both sides. The songs were well done and to the point. Will Anderson's "the leaves have turned to ashes" is especially touching.

This 1975 Original Broadway Cast CD is excellent. I saw this show on Broadway and the CD reminded me just how good the musical was.