Warm and wonderful
A. Grossman | Florence, Oregon USA | 02/20/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Possibly my favorite operetta CD. The title song, as a march and as a joyful waltz, are, along with the famous slap dance Im Salzkammergut, three of the glories of 30s musical reviews. And there is so much more. Only Italian and French selections seem to be missing but there is no room as the disc is jammed' even though it was a Inn was a great success in both countries.
Most of the recordings are from the 30s are are quite authentic. The best are those from Germany made by many tragic artists whose lives were destroyed by Hitler (even Jewish composer Benatzky fled to the United States). The British selections are basically by Rolandso and Jack Hylton. And on the American side are very rare recordings from an early radio show with the original cast. And though Kitty Carlisle is best known for playing opposite Groucho Marx in A Night At the Opera she had a wonderful voice which you can now hear. Even Alfred Drake appears in what is probably the only recording from the 40s.
I love WHI. You may too.
"
White Horse Inn
John R. Freimann | New York | 03/04/2010
(1 out of 5 stars)
"This is not a good compilation selection CD, although the one Alfred Drake piece is very good. There used to be a very fine Angel recording of this show; too bad that it is no longer available. Come on Amazon, search it out and re-issue it. You've got at least one buyer here."
Highly stylish and definitely bouncy
K. Clarke | Berlin, Deutschland | 04/04/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It might come as a surprise to hear this famous show in it's original 'swinging' glory. But I must confess that for me it is the only way I can enjoy these over-familiar tunes. Instead of the usual soupy operetta arrangements, aka as total tosh, one gets these ultra stylish renditions by UK-dance band leader Jack Hylton and colleagues from the early 1930s, when WHITE HORSE INN played to packed houses in London. The charme of these renditions is incredible. And they are bouncy beyond belief. As is William Gaxton from the original Broadway cast. I don't really care for his partner Kitty Carlisle, because she is too operatic for my taste and too coy for the role of a lusty inkeeper, but to hear her in that rousing slap dance jodel number is something else. (And those slaps give a new meaning to slap dancing, rest assured!) Interesting to also hear the 'bonus' material, i.e. the stars of the original German production 1930. I never would have guessed that jazz-operetta 'Made in Berlin' could sound so very very 'Broadway' (think CABARET and numbers like "Two Ladies") and still maintain a totally personal flavour not heard on any Broadway recording. Max Hansen as the head waiter is simply divine, very different to William Gaxton, but an interesting alternative. And those chicken in the background of Hansen's rendition of the title song are a "must hear". In short: if you're gonna give this show a try, opt for this fresh sounding cd. Also, the booklett is quite wonderful, full of photos from the original UK and US productions that make one long to have been there. Or see it again today, done like that. Maybe someone can persuade the guys at 'Encores' to give the Spialek orchestrations a new go? (Would love to hear the full score in all of it's 1936 Broadway glory.) Till then, this Sepia issue is the best alternative. And highly addictive, I must confess. Makes me sing along and drive the neighbours crazy."
Track Listings (23) - Disc #1