Frank Loesser - The Most Happy Fella 1956 Original Broadway Cast (54 tracks) +Album Reviews

What a stunner

path31783 | NJ | 04/29/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I knew Frank Loesser was an extremely talented composer. Under the glamorous, classic-broadway image of Guys and Dolls, you will find the work of a musical genius - i mean, just listen to the choral stuff in Sit Down and you'll know what I mean. But in The Most Happy Fella', his last fully-realized work, Loesser really topped himself. Here we have what is surely one of the greatest scores of all time. I have to say, the sheer amount of music on this score is incredible - the liner notes point out that Loesser was actually criticized for pouring years of effort into this show when the musical ingenuity he expended could have gone to create 6 more. Not only is the wonderful score represented on this CD set (pressed from 3 LPs) but so is every line of dialogue - you can actually follow the entire story, which is actually a plus, because the story is a heartbreaker. Every singer is in top form (especially Susan Johnson - I could weep for talent that later went wasted in such disastrous shows as Oh Captain and Whoop-up.) So, to sum up, BUY THIS RECORDING! You will not be sorry."

The sparkling Frank Loesser masterpiece

Byron Kolln | the corner where Broadway meets Hollywood | 02/09/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"THE MOST HAPPY FELLA is undoutably composer-lyricist Frank Loesser's masterpiece. Although there would be other big triumphs (GUYS AND DOLLS, HOW TO SUCCEED...) nothing quite matches FELLA for scope, dramatic intensity and sheer brilliance.Based on THEY KNEW WHAT THEY WANTED by Sidney Howard, the story concerns vineyard owner Tony Esposito (played by opera great Robert Weede). The outstanding supporting cast includes superb belters Jo Sullivan (THE THREEPENNY OPERA) and Susan Johnson (OH, CAPTAIN!); as well as Art Lund, Shorty Long, Mona Paulee, Helon Blount, Lois van Pelt and Lillian Shelby.The original cast album of MOST HAPPY FELLA was given the grand treatment by Columbia Records (under the inspired guidance of wunderkind producer Goddard Lieberson). The show was recorded, save for a few lines, in its complete state, and released in a lavish 3-LP boxed set complete with a copy of the full-color programme.Sony Classical have now faithfully reissued this landmark cast album in a great 2-disc set, which will be relished by all fans of this delicious score. Standout numbers include "Ooh, My Feet!", "Somebody, Somewhere" and the rousing "Big D.".THE MOST HAPPY FELLA enjoyed a successful run of 678 performances yet failed to win any Tony's. It was unfortunate that FELLA opened in the same season as LI'L ABNER and MY FAIR LADY, which both took out all the big awards that year.THE MOST HAPPY FELLA is one of Broadway's greatest musicals. [SONY S2K 48010]"

Absolute must-buy for Broadway lovers + DVD available

Jim Berg | San Antonio, Texas | 04/25/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"My love for the Broadway show ignited as an 11 yr old when my mother dragged me to a performance of this cast in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in about 1956. Wow! Lonely Robert Weede in love with Rosabella sang love and swear words with such gusto; Jo Sullivan (Loesser) became Rosabella; Susan Johnson and Short Long sang "Big D" like no other duo can and Shorty was the best 'girl gauker' when he sang "Standin on the Corner;'then Art Lund opened his mouth to sing "Joey." Wow!

Well, if you want to hear THE perfect cast... singing some of the all time greatest showtunes with all of the operatic electricity of the MET, yet containing the humor and subtlety of Broadway, BUY THIS CD. There is NO substitute for this cast and this show.

Fully 80% of the show is sung, so 1956 is alive today for you to hear in an engineering masterpiece...the re-mastering of the original recording."

This is what defines "Classic American Musical."

Mike Amato (mamato@cbd.net) | South Bend, Indiana | 02/01/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"My first acquaintance with "The Most Happy Fella" was by way of one of the last of the "I Love Lucy" shows, in which a planned trip to New York to see this musical turned the plot of the episode. We only heard short excerpts from a few of the songs: "Standing on the Corner," "Big D," "Don't Cry." But hearing the musical in its entirety was clearly eye-opening. This musical is what people mean when they say something is a "classic." And I'm not even a real fan of musical comedy. This is not your typical musical. It's more on the level of "Porgy and Bess," or even one of the later 20th century operas, such as Britten's "Death in Venice." The music is complex and needs repeated listening to get the full intensity and meaning of it. The voices of Susan Johnson, Art Lund, Robert Weede, and Jo Sullivan are comparable to almost any contemporary opera singer you could name. An original cast recording, the set is extraordinarily alive and fresh, even though they were recorded 43 years ago. Clearly a winner."

1956 "Fella" the best!

Joseph Barba | Pollock Pines, CA USA | 03/19/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have listened to the original cast recording, starring Robert Weede, for years. No recent production compares to it vocally or dramatically, not even the old Dallas Opera TV production starring Gorgio Tozzi as Tony. First, the score is in the original key, with Weede hitting his brilliant high G's. He was an operatic baritone, not a bass, as the more recent Tonys have been. That makes for a big difference in those high notes, especially in the original, less muddy, more presence. Second, Frank Loesser was on hand to provide input into the production. He later married the leading lady, so we know he influenced her, one way or the other. Third, the cast has a feel for their roles that no recent cast can approach. They seem real, involved, not merely pros being skillful with their craft. Fourth, there is a consistent emotional intesity and comic flair that the other productions lack. It's all there. If you want to hear what this neglected masterpiece should sound like, grab this recording.
You will not regret it!"

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