No Strings (1962 Original Broadway Cast) [Soundtrack]

Richard Rodgers (Artist), Diahann Carroll (Artist), Richard Kiley (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 8, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Drg
• ASIN: B0002739QS
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #150,174 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #90 in Music > Broadway & Vocalists > Musicals > Classic Musicals

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars divine Diahann Carroll with Richard Kiley..., June 29, 2004

By 

Byron Kolln (the corner where Broadway meets Hollywood) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: No Strings (1962 Original Broadway Cast) (Audio CD)

NO STRINGS was Richard Rodgers' first big project following the death of Oscar Hammerstein II. The score is youthful, peppy, romantic and quite modern for the time, and indeed the orchestra featured no strings (and the title also referred to the relationship enjoyed by the 2 main characters). Rodgers was inspired to cast the beautiful Diahann Carroll as the model, breaking down the hackneyed and stereotypical depiction of African Americans onstage (in shows like SARATOGA, PORGY AND BESS and JAMAICA). He felt having Carroll as the stunning centerpiece in the show would add the glitter and gloss needed in this very modern musical.

Carroll was an adept musical theater veteran, who all but stole the show from star Pearl Bailey in the 1956 Broadway musical HOUSE OF FLOWERS. Joining Carroll was Richard Kiley, riding on the success of his acclaimed performance in REDHEAD. In fact, NO STRINGS made history for featuring the first depiction of an inter-racial romance in a Broadway musical (not counting the subplot of Joe Cable and Liat in SOUTH PACIFIC). As mentioned above, the score for NO STRINGS is a real delight, featuring the classic "Sweetest Sounds" as well as several juicy numbers for Carroll and Kiley, both solo and duet. DRG have done a lovely job in reissuing this often-requested cast album. And, as of this reviews's writing, the London cast album is being slated for release by Must Close Saturday Records.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kudos to DRG for reissuing NO STRINGS!, June 28, 2004

By 

J. T Waldmann "yaakov98" (Carmel, IN, home to the fabulous new Regional Performing Arts Center.) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: No Strings (1962 Original Broadway Cast) (Audio CD)

This has been one of my favorite show recordings since purchasing the Capitol LP in the early 60s. Reading the liner notes as I listened to the album, I vividly imagined the show. The orchestra on stage with the actors; no strings not only in the orchestra but also between the two lovers. ("If marriage comes, we'll let it come as one of those perfect things with no strings at all.") From the liner notes of the Broadway Angel CD: "The show began with Carroll, spotlit in a glamorous white gown, singing what would become the score's hit song THE SWEETEST SOUNDS. Across the stage, her lover-to-be -- unknown to her at the moment -- picked up the song, accompanied by a clarinet." Such a simple but elegant concept! What great songs! What singing, especially from the leads, the marvelous Miss Diahann Carroll and Mr.Richard Kiley! (Three years later Mr. Kiley would become THE MAN OF LA MANCHA.) I was fortunate to catch the national tour with Howard Keel and Barbara McNair, both excellent in their roles. Seeing it on stage was even more magical that the show I had seen many times in my mind -- truly an "enchanted evening." When the CD was released in 1993, I grabbed it up. And it was a good thing I did, because it wasn't long before Capitol/Angel dropped it, along with a number of wonderful original cast recordings. But now I rejoice because DRG has revived it for a new audience. Buy it -- now!!!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Richard Rodgers' best post-Hammerstein score., September 14, 2006

By 

Mark Andrew Lawrence "Theatre Reviewer" (Toronto) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: No Strings (1962 Original Broadway Cast) (Audio CD)

Despite some weak lyrics here and there, the score is the finest of Rodgers in the post-Hammerstein era.

Capitol did a first-rate production of the original cast album and it remained in print for more than 20 years. Now, it has been brought back by DRG in a crisp sounding transfer. You'll have little trouble following the story as most of the songs are laundrey lists that give examples to support their titles, but the best tracks are provide enjoyable listening experiences: "The Sweetest Sounds" is the best known number (it was later interpolated into the DIsney remake of CINDERELLA where surprisingly it worked quite well!) Other gems: Maine, Look No Further, Nobody Told Me and the title song. In fact there is not a song here that one would label a dog.

DRG's reissue lacks the extensive bachground notes that Broadway Angel had in their 1993 CD edition. But the recording was and still is one well worth owning.