Search - Jule Styne, Betty Comden, Adolph Green :: Subways Are for Sleeping (1962 Original Broadway Cast)

Too Much Fun

03/31/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Sometimes a cast album of a flop can be more entertaining than many hits. This album, recorded by Columbia in 1962, is a good example of that. The show itself was mainly notable for producer David Merrick's infamous gimmick ad where he got quotes from people with the same names as the major New York critics. But on CD, without the book problems that plagued the show, it sounds like a million dollars: Styne's tunes may not be up to his best (no hits here), but they are mostly delightful melodies played by a terrific orchestra and topped off with another one of Styne's great overtures. Comden and Green contribute witty lyrics filled with their trademark optimism and starry-eyed love of New York. The performers are a distinctive bunch, led by Sidney Chaplin (and his love-it-or-hate-it singing), Carol Lawrence, and Phyllis Newman, who won a Tony for this show. The whole thing is recorded in Columbia's best early-'60s sound, with its typical wide stereo separation. Get this CD if you want a cast album that just plain makes you feel good. (Note: Fynsworth Alley -- which recently dumped its founder, Bruce Kimmel -- has just made the even more desirable Columbia cast album of JUNO available, but so far it's only available from their website.)"

Brilliant score impeccably sung and played.

A. Andersen | Bellows Falls, VT USA | 09/13/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Yes, believe it or not - this is an exceptionally good show score
and although the production closed after only half a year on Broadway due to a weak book, the performers (some of Broadway's best), the music, the lyrics, the orchestrations and the sound recording are state of the art. Lawrence appeared in only a few shows (WEST SIDE STORY, SARATOGA and this) but was a brilliant talent - a fine singer and a fine singing actress. Chaplin couldn't sing a note but appeared in quite a few hit musicals as the male lead (BELLS ARE RINGING, FUNNY GIRL and this). Supporting players Orson Bean and Phyllis Newman (who won a Tony for this performance and the hand of lyricist Adolph Green) are youngsters bursting with style. Goddard Lieberson never topped himself sound-wise - this is his masterpiece - the taps in I SAID IT AND I'M GLAD and their moves between speakers, the bells in BE A SANTA - are as resonant and full-sounding as Solti's famous Donner hammer blow in DAS RHEINGOLD. The orchestrations range from touching (the plaintive high violin supporting HOW CAN YOU DESCRIBE A FACE) to softly romantic the light bongo drum rhythms in WHO KNOWS WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN?). This is one of the great Broadway musical scores and this album is magnificent."

A Broadway classic on CD at last!

T. Vallance | London | 04/15/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's been a long wait for this cast album - long one of my favourites - to appear on CD. Though a Broadway flop, it has one of Jule Styne's finest scores, and Columbia's recordings as produced by Goddard Lieberson were the best sounding albums of the era. 'Taking My Time' and 'Comes Once In a Lifetime' were the closest to hit tunes, but there are half a dozen other gorgeous melodies as well, including Carol Lawrence' lovely and plaintive 'Girls Like Me' and the duet 'Who Knows What Might Hve Been.' Great orchestrations, fabulous sound, and a super score by Styne, Comden and Green - a real treat for lovers of the best in popular song."