Girl Crazy (1951 Studio Cast) [CAST RECORDING] [ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED]

George Gershwin (Composer, Conductor), Eddie Chappell (Performer), Louise Carlyle (Performer), Mary Martin (Performer), Ira Gershwin (Artist)

Product Details

• Performer: Eddie Chappell, Louise Carlyle, Mary Martin
• Conductor: George Gershwin
• Composer: George Gershwin
• Audio CD (November 10, 1998)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Cast Recording, Original recording remastered
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00000DHSK
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #212,407 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Boy! What time has done to this record!, March 6, 2002

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

When this album was first released in 1951, it was warmly welcomed since it was the first time most of the GIRL CRAZY score had been recorded. Even Ethel Merman did not get to record her famous hit "I Got Rhythm" until 1947, some 17 years after she introduceded it!

Even when it was new this record was a mixed blessing. Mary Martin was showcased as the "star" and naturally she gets to sing many of the show's hits...even when they do not belong to the same character. So, Mary Martin croons "Bidin' My Time" (in the original production it is lazily sung by 4 cowboys); She takes all of "Embraceable You" (originally a duet for the leading lady and the leading man); and "I Go Rhythm" (originally sung by the secondary character, Kate.) The score was also re-orchestrated for this album, so the sound is more 50's musical theatre than 30's musical comedy. Still, in spite of a total lack of theatricality, the album filled an important gap in Broadway show collections, and Columbia reissued it in 1957, 1965 and 1973...the latter issue staying in print right through the end of the vinyl era.

The 1990 recording on Nonesuch was performed by a full cast with the original orchstrations and is musically complete. If you want to hear GIRL CRAZY with any sense of what teh show sounded like in 1930, the Nonesch album is the one to get.

Sony decided to reissue this version of GIRL CRAZY for the Gershwin centenary in 1998 and listening to it now it seems ...well...out-of-date. The early 50's mono sound makes the orchestra sound tinny. Mary Martin sings wonderfully although her style is not exactly what this brasy score calls for. So, yes, the album is historcally important. But no longer essential.

BLOOPER?: In the song "Broncho Busters" the line should be sung as: "We're Bronco Busters// We Bust the Broncos//We Fear No Man Nor Beast." On this recording the chorus adds an extra word which throws the timing off: "We ARE Broncho Busters //We Bust The //Brochos //We Fear No Man Nor Beast." List for it starting at 1:22 into Track #5.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars good reissue, September 16, 2003

By	Byron Kolln (the corner where Broadway meets Hollywood) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

GIRL CRAZY was one of the top Broadway shows of the 1930s, with a delightful score by George and Ira Gershwin. The original Broadway production is also noteworthy in that it launched the career of a young Broadway belter by the name of Ethel Merman...

This 1951 studio cast album of the immortal GIRL CRAZY score was produced by Goddard Lieberson, with a cast headed by Mary Martin (still riding high on her SOUTH PACIFIC success). She's joined by a lovely supporting cast which includes Louise Carlyle and Eddie Chappell.

The orchestra, under the faultless direction of maestro Lehman Engel, is fabulous. You'll be hitting the repeat button for the thrilling Overture (the GIRL CRAZY Overture is considered one of the greatest ever written).

Mary Martin croons and coos her way through the slinky "Bidin' My Time", and belts "I Got Rhythm" all the way to the back-row. Louise Carlyle is a perfect comic soubrette singing "Sam and Delilah", while her duet with Eddie Chappell in "Could You Use Me?" is a joy.

Fans of Mary Martin and the brassy score of GIRL CRAZY will adore this cast album!

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great CD, November 26, 2002

By	jeremy - See all my reviews

I think this version of Girl Crazy is suitable for any Gershwin buffs who wish to enjoy this musical at an affordable price.I shall review each musical numbers.

a)The overture is played with much zest and energy.Watch out for the saxophone solo playing a fragment of 'Bidin' My Time'before the orchestra beaks out into a rousing fragment of 'I Got Rhythm'

b)'The Lonesome Cowboy is a good display of male chauvinism in music style (slight exaggeretion!).The music is played in a march like tempo.

c)Bidin' My Time is sung by Mary Martin as if she is really biding her time!;slow and in a relaxed tempo.

d)Could you use me is a witty duet

e)Bronco Busters and Barbary Coast are 2 superb choral numbers,particularly the latter,which qualifies as a show stopper number

f)Embraceable You is a piece of lyrical tongue twisting number delivered by M.Martin in a wistful manner.

g)Sam and Delilah is sung by Louise Carlye in a brash,rough manner with a discordant music accompaniment with crashing cymbals.Perfect

h)I Got Rhythm is sung in a show stopping manner by M.Martin which is enough to make you wanna dance dance dance.

i)But not for me is performed in a rather melancholy manner by M.Martin.Perfect for the lyrics.

j)Treat me rough was another delightful piece in cowboy melancholy talk style

k)Boy what love has done to me.A song of reggreted love in a delicate style,not exactly woeful

l)Cactus time in Arizona.A beautiful piece in a brilliant energetic style.

m)The finale is a medley of songs beautifully stitched into a single song.

This CD fails to include 3 numbers :Land Of The Gay Caballero,Mexican Dance (instrumental) and Goldfarb! That's I'm