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Music Man (OCR)
Music Man
Music Man (OCR)
Genres: Soundtracks, Broadway & Vocalists
 
  •  Track Listings (23) - Disc #1

Choreographer-turned-director Susan Stroman struck gold twice in the 1999-2000 Broadway season, first with her dance play Contact and then with her grand revival of Meredith Willson's The Music Man. One of the most loving-...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Music Man
Title: Music Man (OCR)
Members Wishing: 1
Total Copies: 0
Label: Phantom Sound & Vision
Original Release Date: 1/1/2008
Re-Release Date: 7/22/2008
Album Type: Cast Recording, Import
Genres: Soundtracks, Broadway & Vocalists
Style: Musicals
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1

Synopsis

Amazon.com
Choreographer-turned-director Susan Stroman struck gold twice in the 1999-2000 Broadway season, first with her dance play Contact and then with her grand revival of Meredith Willson's The Music Man. One of the most loving--and beloved--celebrations of Americana ever to grace the stage, The Music Man captures the soul of the heartland with its evocation of brass bands, barbershop quartets, and even piano lessons. The titular role of the fast-talking con man who hoodwinks an Iowa town has, perhaps more than any other role in musical theater, always belonged to one performer: Robert Preston, who starred in the original 1957 Broadway cast and subsequent 1962 film. Craig Bierko, a movie actor making his Broadway debut, acquits himself well, sometimes sounding astonishingly like Preston but without aping him. In his hands, "76 Trombones" remains a rousing signature tune. As Marian the librarian, a radiant Rebecca Luker (star of the Broadway revivals of Show Boat and The Sound of Music) beautifully delivers her ballads, including "My White Knight," which was written for the original stage production but replaced in the film by "Being in Love." Longtime fans will appreciate the inclusion of the barbershop tunes "Ice Cream" and "It's You," and the dance music in "76 Trombones," "Marian the Librarian," and "Shipoopi," as well as a booklet with full lyrics. Preston's magical performances are irreplaceable, but this energetic revival is worthy of a spot on your shelf. --David Horiuchi

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CD Reviews

Susan Stroman Never Fails!
Thomas A | 06/11/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you like musicals, buy this CD. It is THE best Music Man cast recording of all time for one main reason; Susan Stroman (many Tony awards) directed it. Since Susan is a choreographer as well as a director she included dance music on this recording. It is great to finally hear complete songs. Although it is not the exact music you will hear if you go to see a "non-Susan Stroman" production of the music man; at least there is dance music. 76 Trombones is the most well known song from the show. On most other cast recordings it has been reduced to about 3 minutes, on this CD however, it is well over 7 minutes long. Also the Shipoopi is horrible on ALL the other recordings, on this one however the music is fabulous and the cast is great! All the songs on this CD are perfect. Craig Bierko is amazing (as good as Robert Preston, maybe better). Rebecca Luker is a great singer and does not at all bring down this cast recording, but she is not quite as good as Kristin Chenoweth from the new movie (but who is?). A lot of the songs have been slightly updated; the best are 'The Wells Fargo Wagon' and 'Finale Ultimo'. This new cast recoding is wonderful and greatly appreciated my music man fans and dancers all over. BUY IT!!!"
A revival that got everything right!
Tony Parkes | near Boston, MA United States | 08/19/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)

"The 2000 Broadway revival brought the live-on-stage version of "The Music Man" to a new generation of theatregoers, and this recording will take its place among the classics as well. In some ways it surpasses the 1957 original cast recording, although devoted fans will want to have both. More of the show is included (dance sequences, reprises, some dialogue), and the sound quality is outstanding.Craig Bierko won't make you forget Robert Preston, but he's not just aping the master; he finds his own inflection for many lines. His is a younger, slyer Harold Hill, with more winks and nudges than Preston, who charmed the townsfolk with his apparent sincerity. Rebecca Luker's voice sounds uncannily like Barbara Cook's, but she too makes the part her own. "My White Knight" starts in a low key, then returns to the original pitch, allowing Luker to build up to a breathtaking climax.The "Rock Island" sequence adds a drum background to the salesmen's chant; far from being obtrusive, the drum heightens the sense of reality, as it sounds just like a laboring steam engine. "Pick-a-little" is much stronger here than on the 1957 recording, as is the chorus in general, and there are many surprises and delights throughout the CD.All in all, a must-have for anyone who knows and loves the show, and a good introduction for anyone who doesn't."
WOW!!! The Best Music Man CD Ever!!
Isaac Evans | USA | 03/30/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the best Music Man CD yet! It has enough new instrumentations that it is interesting, but not so many that it is very different than Broadway. The book that comes with it (the one with the cover on the front) is great, it has pictures, lyrics, cast, and a summary of the play. The quartet was not that good, though. In all this is a 5-star album that any real Music Man fan should own."