From: davidf@HQ.Ileaf.COM (David Fristrom)
Subject: Re: Good Show Recordings of 1992
Reply-To: davidf@HQ.Ileaf.COM (David Fristrom)
Organization: Interleaf, Inc.
Date: Wed, 16 Dec 92 14:37:19 GMT

In article <Bz9CyD.72D@news.udel.edu> conrad@brahms.udel.edu (Jon Conrad) writes:
> We all know "Best of Year" lists are silly and frivolous. 
> But equally we (I, anyway) can't resist them.  So here
> without further apology are some good things I've
> encountered this year.

It's that time of year, isn't it?  Ok, I can't resist either, although
I've manage to limit myself to the canonical top-ten.  Here we go, in
no particular order.

1.  GUYS AND DOLLS (RCA Victor).  Jon's already covered this; a great
new recording of a great score.
 
2.  CRAZY FOR YOU (RCA Victor).  Another one on Jon's list; wonderful
songs by George Gershwin and his lovely wife Ira.

3.  JELLY'S LAST JAM (PolyGram).  The best of this year's original
musicals (if you don't count FALSETTOS as original).  The record
doesn't quite capture the excitement of the live music, and of course
you can't see Gregory Hines dancing, but it's still pretty good.
Words by Susan Birkenhead, music adaptated from Jelly Roll Morton by
Luther Henderson.

4.  SONG OF SINGAPORE (DRG).  Set in a Singapore nightclub ("low-down
dive") in 1941, just before the Japanese invasion, this musical (now
closed) featured an environmental staging -- instead of a theatre, it
was presented in a nightclub, with the audience taking the part of
customers.  There wasn't much plot; the focus was on new '40s style
swing music played by a hot band.  No redeeming social value, but a
lot of fun, and this recording has captured all of it.  Who can resist
a show where a waitress can say "Do you know there's a dead man at the
bar?" and the orchestra will reply "Sure, b-flat" and strike up a
song.

5.  EATING RAOUL (Bay Cities).  Based on the cult movie of the same
name, with music by Jed Feuer and lyrics by Boyd Graham.  We're not
talking great art here, and it's a bit too reminiscent of LITTLE SHOP
OF HORRORS without being at the same level, but it is a fun look at
mass murder.  It features Adrian Zmed (now apparently playing Marvin
in the road company of FALSETTOS) in the title role.

6.  ALADDIN (Walt Disney).  It's not as impressive as LITTLE MERMAID
or BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, but it still has some nice songs, and has
some of Ashman's last work.  Sigh.

7.  LADY BE GOOD! (Elektra Nonesuch).  The Gershwin project marches
on.

8.  THERE'S A SMALL HOTEL (Columbia/Sony).  Mary Cleere Haran's
cabaret act recorded live at the Algonquin.  She does a nice job
singing classic songs (Cole Porter, Rodgers & Hart, Harold Arlen,
Dorthy Fields, Jerome Kern, etc.), but what makes this recording
special is her amusing patter between the numbers.

9.  AN EVENING WITH FRANK LOESSER (DRG).  Recently discovered demo
tapes from GUYS AND DOLLS, THE MOST HAPPY FELLA, and HOW TO SUCCEED,
sung (except for FELLA) by the composer.  He isn't a great singer, but
has lots of character, and in several cases the songs are early
versions, providing a glimpse at a genius at work.

10. THE SULLIVAN YEARS THE BEST OF BROADWAY (TVT).  In the Good Old
Days (before my time, alas) Ed Sullivan's show would often have live
performances by casts of current Broadway shows.  This two-CD set
collects many of these classic performances.  While much of this
material is covered by original cast albums, these disks are still
invaluable.  They sometime include more than what is on the cast
album; not only does Richard Burton sing "Camelot," he also makes his
speech describing how he became king.  Or they may capture subsequent
casts, such as Anita Gillette and Martin Ross in CABARET.  And you get
Ed's introductions, sometimes proving it is live, as when he
introduces Larry Kert as Larry Kent.

David Fristrom		|	"As someday it may happen that a 
Interleaf, Inc.		|	              victim must be found
davidf@ileaf.com	|	 I've made a little list."
Newsgroups: rec.arts.theatre