The Music Man (1957 Original Broadway Cast) [Angel Reissue] [Audio CD, Cast Recording]

Meredith Willson (Composer), Barbara Cook (Performer), Robert Evans (Performer), Robert Howard (Performer), Robert Preston (Performer), Eddie Hodges (Performer), Pert Kelton (Performer), Helen Raymond (Performer), Iggie Wolfington (Performer), Robert Lenn (Performer), James Gannon (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Barbara Cook, Robert Evans, Robert Howard, Robert Preston, Eddie Hodges, et al.
• Composer: Meredith Willson
• Audio CD (November 17, 1992)
• SPARS Code: A-D
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Cast Recording
• Label: Angel Records
• ASIN: B000002SNL
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,916 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Although Robert Preston and Barbara Cook put in stellar performances, it's the music that's the star of this hugely successful document of the 1958 Broadway smash. Written entirely by Meredith Willson, it drew from memories of his childhood in a small Midwestern town. Preston plays a traveling salesman/con artist, while Cook is the dull spinster "Marian the Librarian," whose love for Preston's character makes her come alive. "Seventy-Six Trombones" has become a marching band standard, while "Ya Got Trouble" (featuring dizzying fast-talk from Preston) and "'Til There Was You" (with a gorgeous vocal from Cook) remain well known even among those who have never seen the show. The latter was also a favorite of the Beatles, who covered it on their first album. --Dawn Eden

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

83 of 83 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Be sure to get the remastered edition... Here's how to tell!, September 1, 2004

By	Mark Andrew Lawrence "Theatre Reviewer" (Toronto) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Music Man (1957 Original Broadway Cast) (Audio CD)

Reading the reviews posted to date, some people complain the sound is tinny and the voices bounce between speakers while others claim the sound is fine.

Here is the story behind that!

THE MUSIC MAN original cast Lp was issued in 1958 in a lavish gatefold jacket adorned by the show's colourful postor logo (A cartoon of professor Hill and Marion the Librarian!) The album went right to the #1 position on Billboard's best-selling albums chart where it stayed for 12 weeks.

In the early 60s, Capitol had to press another batch of Lps to meet demand and they re-designed the cover. It was a single pocket jacket, no notes inside, just the songs and cast credits on the back and a colour photo of Preston. The label also doctored up the sound for "stereo" bouncing the voices from left to right.

IN 1987 Capitol issued their stereo remix on Compact Disc using the Preston photo cover. No liner notes, and the sound was harsh and tinny.

In 1993, as part of EMI's 40+ series of Broadway Classics reissues on the Broadway Angel label, THE MUSIC MAN was re-released using the original LP cover art. This time it was beautifully remastered and the stereo sound was restored to the original mix with the cast centre-stage. The booklet has fine notes and a detailed synopsis (something all the previous releases lacked.)

In short, IF buying THE MUSIC MAN (and it is a classic original cast album well worth having) be sure you get the remastered version on Broadway Angel. It is #3 in the series of Broadway Classics. Catalogue number: ZDM 7 64663-2.

AVOID the edition on Capitol label with the color photo of Preston. Though that edition was deleted many years ago, copies still turn up.

As for the performances, recorded just 9 days after the show opened to rave reviews, they are as fresh as can be. The whole album has a bright lively sound and moves swiftly through its 46 minutes. Compare with the movie soundtrack which retains Preston and Pert Kelton from Broadway, adds Buddy Hacket, Shirley jones and Ron Howard. Its a fine cast but marred by that flat, boxy Warener Bros soundstage sound. The recent Broadway revival also yielded a fine somehwat more complete album, but really, no one can ever replace Robert Preston and Barabra Cook!

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superior recording., July 19, 1999

By	Boz - See all my reviews

If you find the orchestrations "tinny" then you'd better check your speakers. They are lush and fabulous. Robert Preston is better than in the movie soundtrack and Barbara Cook is brilliant-the perfect Marian. Also, you get the wonderful song "My White Knight" which does not appear in the film. This is the preferred recording.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pristine!, June 8, 2002

By	Jason W. Qualls (Missouri, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Music Man (1957 Original Broadway Cast) (Audio CD)

Robert Preston, Barbara Cook, Pert Kelton, and the rest of the cast hand in a very amiable performance of the Music Man, as the original 1957 cast. The Tony award-winning cast and musical is a must-have for everyone who enjoys old-fashioned Broadway with some nice twists. This is much better than the newer Revival cast recording, and although that recording is more complete, the voices on it are no match for those on this CD. Robert Preston is better that Craig Bierko, and is also better on this recording than he is in the movie soundtrack. Barbara Cook, with her down-to-earth rendition, is better than both the ever-breathy Shirley Jones and Rebecca Luker, whose almost coloratura tendencies aren't in character. As I said, this is a must-have for any musical lover's music library.