Robert Wright George Forrest - Kismet A Musical Arabian Night 1965 Music Theater Of Lincoln Center Cast (17 tracks) +Album Reviews

Sumptuous stereo sound- almost as good as original cast.

A. Andersen | Bellows Falls, VT USA | 08/30/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It is extremely rare that a revival of a classic show is within five percent of being as exceptional as the original, but this 1965 Lincoln Center revival is just that - superbly vibrant stereo sound enhances the original orchestrations, Alfred Drake recreating his finest role as Hajj, and a cast as musically and dramatically superb as the original. For collectors, it's a toss-up. This version omits the original overture (using a suite of tunes from the Polovetsian Dances instead) and two dance numbers, BAZAAR OF THE CARAVANS and SAMARIS' DANCE. However, it does have a song written for the 1955 film version, BORED, interpolated and sung by Anne Jeffreys (the only tainted bit as her voice really isn't up to those high notes). Lee Venora, Richard Banke and Jeffreys do wonderfully in their recreated roles - good acting, good singing. Drake is again superb, even more finely honed a performance than in the original. Henry Calvin recreates his role as the Wazir. A superb package very finely done."

Great Performances

DRB | 06/20/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have listened to the four main recordings of this gorgeous music. The original cast recording is a good but old recording. The movie has the wrong cast. The most recent staging has some beautiful voices but is hurt by how Dom DeLuise's voice blends with them, particularly in the "This is My Beloved" quartet. This 1964 Lincoln Center revival has great performances. I am particularly thrilled by Lee Venora's voice and musicianship. Listen to her scale down at the end of "Baubles" - the best performance I have heard of that beautiful song. The quartet is beautiful. It would be great for this recording to be remastered and re-released, since the post 1960 era recordings have often come out really great when the remastering work is done well. Hope that happens."

Sparkling

DRB | 01/06/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Wonderful that this recording is available on CD at last! Outstanding performances from the principals, in particular Anne Jeffreys, who combines operatic power and control with a comedienne's timing. "Bored", written for this production, is a delight. Alfred Drake is in top form and Henry Calvin, as the evil Wazir, shines blackly."

FINE RECORDING IN NEED OF GOOD REMASTERING

J. T Waldmann | Carmel, IN, home to the fabulous new Regional Perf | 07/29/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am very pleased with RCA's remastered "Deluxe Additions" of both HELLO, DOLLY and FIDDLER ON THE ROOF and would be happy to recommend several other recordings for the same loving treatment. Among them would be the Lincoln Center Revials of OKLAHOMA, ANNIE GET YOUR GUN, THE KING AND I, CAROUSEL, and this recording of KISMET. Amazon.com reviewers have given all of them 4-1/2 to 5 star ratings, and all but OKLAHOMA feature stars from the original productions, often in better voice, and recorded with much improved stereo sound.

The sound on this recording leaves something to be desired. It is harsh and edgy, but the performances are outstanding. Drake, as usual, is great, Anne Jeffreys is a phenomenal Lalume, Richard Banke's Caliph is even better sung that Richard Kiley's on the original, Lee Venora's Marsinah is quite like Doretta Morrow's but with better recorded sound, and Henry Calvin repeats his role as the Wazir. The orchestra is fine, and the chorus sounds as though they are having a really great time.

So, if RCA doesn't do its duty and give it the "deluxe" treatment, how about Fynsworth Alley (JUNO, WORKING, REDHEAD) or DRG (ADVENTURES OF MARCO POLO, ARCHY & MEHITABEL, KEAN, etc.)? This is just one of many, many shows that need to be lovingly restored and put back into circulation.

"

Lincoln Center revival cast now in cut-out limbo

Mark Andrew Lawrence | Toronto | 02/28/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There are many recordings of KISMET available, but this is one of the best and most theatrical. Alfred Drake is every bit as good on this album as he was on the original Broadway Cast (Sony/Columbia) recorded 12 years earlier. The stereo sound on this album is an added plus, marred only slightly by the harsh sound that most RCA "living Stereo" releases from the period have. The supporting cast is just as fine as the originals. Unfortunately, this CD has now gone out-of-print. With the wonderful original still avaialble it is not worth paying huge amounts just to get this particular version but if one should surface at a local used CD store, don't pass it by."

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