Sweet Little Devil (2012 Studio Cast) [Cast Recording]

Danny Burstein, Philip Chaffin, George Gershwin, Jason Graae, Rebecca Luker | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 22, 2012)
• Original Release Date: 2012
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Cast Recording
• Label: P.S. Classics
• ASIN: B007O2LIB2
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #36,396 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

George Gershwin's long-lost musical, 1924's Sweet Little Devil, receives its world premiere recording, as PS Classics continues its acclaimed Forgotten Musicals series. Featuring lyrics by George's then-regular collaborator, B.G. (Buddy) DeSylva - with whom he'd already penned such hits as "I'll Build a Stairway to Paradise" and "Somebody Loves Me" - Sweet Little Devil, George's earliest surviving score, reveals Gershwin's gift for memorable melodies already in full flower, and hints at the driving rhythms and bold blues notes that would characterize his later work. During the Broadway run of Sweet Little Devil, George premiered his Rhapsody in Blue, forever changing the course of his career, then forged a lifelong partnership with his brother Ira; DeSylva went on to join Lew Brown and Ray Henderson on some of the Great White Way's merriest entertainments, including Good News and Flying High. Now, a cast of Broadway veterans - including Bethe Austin, Danny Burstein, Philip Chaffin, Sara Jean Ford, Jason Graae, Rebecca Luker and Sally Wilfert - join conductor Sam Davis and vocal arranger David Loud in bringing this forgotten Gershwin gem back to life with its original Robert Russell Bennett orchestrations. PS Classics invites you to enjoy the genius that is George Gershwin, at the moment when he was finding the musical voice that would come to define him.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars So Unmistakably Gershwin May 31, 2012

By William S. Oser

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

Sweet Little Devil did not contain any songs that would become Gershwin standards, but don't let that slow you down, run to the "buy with one click" button. Every song has the unmistakably Gershwin rhythmic vitality. Think about such tunes as "Figgity Feet" from Oh Kay or "Fascinating Rhythm" from Lady be Good, they make you want to get up out of your chair and move around. Well the entire score of Sweet Little Devil has that same quality. Highlights include "The Jijibo", "Your Mighty Lucky" (did this preclude all of Irving Berlin's better known contrapuntal songs such as "You're Just in Love"? In other words did Irving learn how from this Gershwin song?,
"Virginia" and "Matrimonial Handicap."

All of the performances are simply wonderful, but special mention must be made of Sara Jean Ford and her obligatos in "Virginia."

I would never try to steer people away from the recreations of Gershwins best known shows such as Lady Be Good, Of Thee I Sing/Let Em Eat Cake, Oh Kay, and Strike Up the Band, but I have been totally delighted by the discoveries such as this one and Tip Toes coupled with Tell Me More. Gershwin is such a great composer that lesser stuff is still a major discovery.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Marvelous Addition to Early Gershwin May 26, 2012

By E. C Goodstein

Format:Audio CD

A very nice project, and very welcome to hear. This show may not be the most important Gershwin ever. But this is a very fine recording with excellent performances from all concerned, impressive arrangements. and there's some sparkling, impressive music that shows the composer's ability on the 'verge' of creating 'Rhapsody in Blue' and other classics.
And it also shows his ability and distinction with the kind of fare that Irving Berlin or Jerome Kern were doing too early '20's. So it's a nice addition to that 'early
musical' style and also aptly demonstrates Buddy De Sylva's lyrical ability. If the songs are lighter perhaps than those GG would write with
Ira, they also have their own impudent and amusing style. Very nice liner notes about the early Gershwin years, the story around the creation of
the musical, and some facts about the now-forgotten star, Constance Binney. In some respects, this show is almost an early precursor of other
'New York character' musicals like the much later Guys and Dolls, so impressive that way too. I think this would appeal to anyone who likes Gershwin,
'20's/early '30's musicals, or just wants to hear what some of the best theatrical voices around today can do with older Broadway fare.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful June 14, 2012

By New Yorker

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

Although Sweet Little Devil's score is arguably not on the level of the other
Gershwin scores of the twenties that have been recorded, it's quite tuneful and
boasts some really clever lyrics. The main thing is the record label's presentation,
with helpful liner notes and, as always, a winning performance. Great conducting,
very personable cast. I did have a little trouble distinguishing some of the women's
voices; suddenly, everybody was sounding like Rebecca Luker. But the show just
flies by with that ever rarer quality, charm. I love the way Jason Graae does a
little "brrr" shiver the second time he sings the word "cold" in "Matrimonial
Handicap." Those who love musicals can't go wrong with this one.