Customer Reviews

Star

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This marvelous CD is a fine documentation of Gertrude Lawrence's phenomenal musical stage career prior to THE KING AND I. These recordings from 1925 to 1944 represent hit standards such as SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME, DO,DO,DO, POOR LITTLE RICH GIRL, LIMEHOUSE BLUES, MAD ABOUT THE BOY, A GUY NAMED JOE, and 14 others. Her duets with Noel Coward from PRIVATE LIVES and TONIGHT AT 8:30 are delightful as is her cup of coffee and sandwich with Jack Buchanan. Her 4 songs from Cole Porter's musical comedy, NYMPH ERRANT from 1933 are a special bonus. The curious thing, however, is that the title song of that show is excluded. I do not agree with the other reviewer's view that there is too much spoken-word dialogue present. Those are only on the Noel Coward bits and it only adds to the charm after all. The sound quality is clear, consistent, and easy to listen to, yet reminiscent of the brassy gramophone sound, which is quite appropriate. Those who enjoy this will enjoy GERTIE, a new release from Naxos Nostalgia.

AN absolutely sparkling tribute to Miss Lawrence and a 'must-have' for the serious student of early 20th century musical performers. The 78 recordings transfer expertly to the new medium with nary a scratch or hiss, its all very [or is it veddy Mr. Coward?] superior! Covering most of Miss Lawrence's unparalelled stellar career, this CD is also an excellent companion piece to Julie Andrews "Star!" since you can hear most of the originals on this album.

Of special note are the sequences with the equally stellar Mr. Noel Coward - what perfection! What timing! [The balcony sequence from 'Private Lives" - the China / Japan repartee].

Mr. Coward is quoted as saying: "Sometimes .... she would simply take my breath away, I can think of nobody living or dead who ever gave to my work as much as she did."

and Miss Lawrence? "I am not exactly what you'd call wonderfully talented, BUT I am light on my feet and I do make the best of things".

BRAVO!

Great talents sorely missed!

This collection is filled with gems sung by Gertrude Lawrence with a modest voice and maximum talent. No one has quite the insouciant delivery that she does on the Gershwin tunes from "Oh,Kay," or the sweetness on "Someone to Watch Over Me" for that matter.

But for me the most cherished and endlessly enjoyable bits are the two scenes she and Noel Coward recorded from his "Private Lives." Wit and glamour to the max. "Strange how potent cheap music is..." Indeed.