Search - Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II, Susan Watson :: Carousel: Music Theater Of Lincoln Center (1965 New York Revival)

First-rate revival of CAROUSEL

Byron Kolln | the corner where Broadway meets Hollywood | 08/16/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This lovely cast album from the 1965 Lincoln Center revival of CAROUSEL is a real treat. First of all, John Raitt once again plays the role of Billy Bigelow (after originating it in the original Broadway company), and secondly the lovely Eileen Christy is one of the finest Julie Jordan's captured on disc. Susan Watson (BYE BYE BIRDIE, BEN FRANKLIN IN PARIS, NO NO NANETTE) is a pert and perky Carrie, with Katherine Hilgenberg giving thrilling voice and presence to wise Nettie. Reid Shelton (ANNIE) is a perfect Enoch Snow, and Jerry Orbach (CARNIVAL!, CHICAGO) gives Jigger a menacing and slimy quality which is just what's called for. Eileen Christy has a bell-clear soprano which is heartbreaking in "What's the Use of Wond'rin" where Julie resigns her feelings and hurt at Billy's treatment of her. John Raitt's performance as Billy is even better here than on the OBC (if that's possible). One of the delights of the Lincoln Center musical revivals was the chance to see stars back in roles they had originated years before (like Ethel Merman in a 1966 revival of ANNIE GET YOUR GUN, and Alfred Drake back as Hajj in KISMET). Now, how about reissues of the other Lincoln Center revivals?...(Rise Stevens in THE KING AND I; Patrice Munsel in THE MERRY WIDOW; Florence Henderson in SOUTH PACIFIC)."

Rodgers and Hammerstein At Their Very Best

William A. Brimmer Jr. | CT | 01/04/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The superior recording of this show 20 years after it opened in 1945 is only one of the reasons to purchase this cd. John Raitt when he originated the role of Billy Bigelow used a chesty deep baritone sound.By the time he was in "The Pajama Game" Mr. Raitt had developed a lyrical head sound that he used in fine form until his passing last year at 88 years old. He sounds marvelous in this recording of "Carousel." He was clearly the best singing actor of his generation. He is complimented by Eileen Christy, a fine sounding Julie. Ditto for Jerry Orbach, who paid his dues in the role of Jigger. Mr. Orbach was to become the reigning "Broadway Baby" 3 years later in "Promises Promises." We miss him as well."

Got back a bit of my childhood.

lighten_up_already2 | Kirkland, WA USA | 04/27/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When I was a child, we had a copy of this particular version of Carousel. I decided to try and get it on CD and it took a long time because I couldn't match exactly the cover art of the record I remembered with the CD artwork, which is actually a section of the original album art.



Anyway, I was thrilled to find this, and I must say that it is a wonderful rendition of the Carousel music score. I have the more common original 1946 version and I like this one better, and I've played sound samples of the more recent versions and I still like this one better. What a find!



And if you don't already know, Carousel has the greatest Fathers' Day song ever. I dig this out every Fathers' Day and play it."