Customer Reviews

Unsung Musicals (Studio Cast)

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

 

 

This is not so much a review as a rebuttal; I was the orchestrator for this album, MISSGYDER's assertion of totally synthesized sound is totally incorrect: the charts were played by 4 reeds, 3 trumpets, 2 trombones, tuba, harp, percussion, drums, keyboards, and a string section. I sorry the sound didn't meet the approval of the reviewer labeled MISSGYDER, but I can testify to the reality of the orchestra, the players, and my scores which are at the Library of congress.

The shows from which these songs were taken may have been unsuccessful, but this compilation of their best selections is a jewel. What a treat it was to be entertained by so many talented Broadway stars for the price of a single recording. From the hilarious "Sherry" to the sweet "New Words", one listen to this CD and I was hooked!

Just because a musical was not successful, that doesn't mean that there were no good songs in it (pardon the double negative). These selections may be songs that are not well known from shows in the same category, but some of these are real gems, sung by fine show singers. My favorites are "Smile" (from Smile), "Ragtime Romeo" (The Vamp), "Sherry!" (Sherry!), and "She's Roses" (Drat! The Cat!).

I was given this for my birthday, along with Unsung Sondheim, my favorite composer. I was excited, and a little bit skeptical because I've NEVER heard of these musicals. Once I started though, I was hooked. I want sheet music to so many, they're fun to sing along to, or just to listen to they great singer/actresses they got. My personal favorites are Smile, Sherry, Ragtime Romeo, and Silverware. I recommend this for all Broadway Babies and theatre buffs like me!

This album is very much in the style of the same label's "Lost in Boston" CD's. The premise is to perform numbers from Shows/Musicals which either never made it to Broadway or had such short runs that their music is little known. And of course many such shows have scores which feature high quality songs well worth resurrecting. There seems to be a "house arrangers and performers" thing going on here too. Certainly a large number of different singers are used but I'm not 100% certain these performances stay true to the original shows. But since I've never seen them - who knows!! - just a niggling sense that there are times when the lyric/musical feel and the vocal/arrangement style jar. I also get the feeling certain shows/composers lobbied more sucessfully for inclusion than others. But overall an enjoyable wander through Musical theatre's byways. NOT an essential album by any means but one I'm glad to have

The version of In Our Hands on this CD is beautiful. I would love to have sheet music for it. Any ideas anyone?

Greetings,

I am one of the few who actually got to see "The First" -- a musical about Jackie Robinson.

I do not have this CD but wish it had the title song from "The First" ...don't think it exists anywhere. I actually still remember some dialogue/lyrics from it and would like to hear it/read the words again.
I also would like to know if any version or scenes from the play are available to do in a school. Anybody?
Have a nice day!

Unsung Musicals is a great idea, presenting songs from shows that didn't get their due on Broadway. However, the production of this CD is very poor, using poorly synthesized instruments and cheesy drum tracks. I could have recreated these sounds using a home software program, they're so bad! The songs themselves are good, but the album is so horrid in terms of listening value that you'd be embarrased to put this in your CD player. I recommend this CD only for students and professionals in the music theatre world as a way to learn songs you wouldn't normally hear, but other than that, I can't recommend it.