Search - Various Artists :: Showboat; Broadway Musical Series

Overall a good recording

Byron Kolln | the corner where Broadway meets Hollywood | 11/19/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This release from the budget UK label Prism includes selections from the landmark 1946 Broadway revival of SHOW BOAT, along with bonus selections from the original 1928 London production.The 1946 revival of SHOW BOAT featured Jan Clayton (the original Julie in CAROUSEL) as both Magnolia and her daughter Kim, with Charles Fredericks as Ravenal, Colette Lyons as Ellie, Carol Bruce as Julie LaVerne, Buddy Ebsen as Frank, Kenneth Spencer as Joe and Helen Dowdy as Queenie.Jan Clayton is wonderful as both Magnolia and Kim, and is lovely with Magnolia's big numbers "You Are Love", "Why Do I Love You?" and "Make Believe"; but later lets her hair down for Kim's manic flapper tune "Nobody Else But Me".Carol Bruce is a heart-rending Julie LaVerne, singing a particularly plaintive "Bill" and a jaunty "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man". Colette Lyons does well by the comical soubrette role of Ellie, and sings a spirited "Life Upon the Wicked Stage".From the 1928 London set, Edith Day plays both Magnolia and Kim, with Howett Worster as Ravenal and Marie Burke as Julie LaVerne. Edith Day is well-suited to Magnolia's numbers, but the song added for Kim, "Dance the Night Away", is a huge clinker, and was wisely dropped and replaced by "Nobody Else But Me" for the '46 revival.Added as a bonus track is "I Still Suits Me", written for the 1936 film version as a rueful duet between Joe and Queenie. It is sung here by Paul Robeson (the original Joe) and Elisabeth Welch.This recording is a must-own, if only for the 1946 revival selections (the Sony Broadway release of that album is now out-of-print)."

Vintage Showboat

josh6T6 | Haifa, Israel | 02/25/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Unfortunately, the sound quality on this CD is poor. It is nonetheless fascinating to listen to, inasmuch as it allows a ready comparison between the 1946 Broadway and the 1928 West End (London) productions.The popular music of today is so internationalized that it's virtually impossible to detect a difference in style between singing on the two sides of the Atlantic. "Way back then," however, the styles were poles apart.While the Broadway version sounds lightweight to the modern ear, the London version sounds more like a 19th Century Gilbert & Sullivan operetta than a 20th Century musical. The male lead in the British production--one Howett Worster--could easily be mistaken for one of Victor Borge's comedy routines; his "Couldn't you, couldn't I, couldn't we?" in the song "Make Believe" is hilarious.Nevertheless, some of the performances stand the test of time very well. Paul Robeson's rendition of "Ol' Man River" from the London production remains a classic.In summary: look forward to plenty of nostalgia, lovely Jerome Kern music--and humor too (albeit unintended). Well worth a listen for fans of the Broadway musical genre."