Customer Reviews

Sunny

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

 

 

I've loved "Sunny" since seeing it at the Goodspeed Opera House in Haddam, Ct in the '70s. Just wish there was a cast album of that production. However, this album originally recorded in the '20s makes up in vintage charm what it lacks in recording quality. The album includes several versions of "Sunny." The first gives the lead-ins to the songs so you see how they fit into the plot. The following ones give different versions of the songs and several songs that were added in subsequent productions. Several songs, "D'ye love me?" "Who" and "Sunny" are particularly delightful and will keep you humming. A must for lovers of the old Broadway musicals.

First, I should explain that why I didn't give this 5 stars is that the sound quality is from 1926 - 1940s vintage. You can hear the scratchiness of the 78 rpm records in some of the tracks. Having said that, this is a fine recording that gives you the gist of the story, with the musical highlights and just enough of the surrounding play to give you a good idea of the story line. In spite of my commentary about the vintage sound, it's good enough to make out words such as "sweet interlocutory decree", in the song "When we get our divorce". BTW, when was the last time you heard a song from people looking forward with joy and anticipation towards their impending amicable divorce, and viewing their recent marriage with dread? Cute huh?

I've been in love with Sunny since about 10 years ago when the Canadian Broadcasting System (CBC) in Toronto played excerpts from Sunny over the radio. I was driving my car, and immediately mesmerized by the captivating "Who". You know you're hooked when the melody starts coming back to you over and over again, even in your sleep. Finally, I've got this CD, and I literally can't stop listening to it. I listen in my car. I listen on my computer. I just keep listening, and singing along.

The story is lightweight fluff, but Jerome Kern's music and Harbach's lyrics are heavyweight gold. This CD is a nice introduction to Sunny.

Not Kern or Hammerstein at their best,title tune repeated too many times , story as told ,is about as dumb as one would expect for a show of the era.To revive the show would be a task of no rewards.