Look Ma, I'm Dancing (1948 Original Broadway Cast)
In the liner notes to this CD, the show's lyricist-composer, Hugh Martin, sheepishly acknowledges, "I wished I had tried harder, like Avis." He shouldn't be so hard on himself, becauseLook, Ma, I'm Dancin'!is a surprisingly entertaining curio. The 1948 show was based on a concept by Jerome Robbins, who also contributed choreography. Brilliant comedienne Nancy Walker (On the Town) plays a Milwaukee brewery heiress who wants to join a ballet company; of course, wacky high jinks ensue. Walker displays her comic timing and sense of swing, particularly on the smashing "I'm Tired of Texas." Martin's melodic skills are on evidence throughout--even on tracks such as "Shauny O'Shea," which he bizarrely describes as "totally boring" in his notes!  But then, this is the man who cowrote the wonderful score for Vincente Minnelli's classicMeet Me in St. Louis--how boring can he ever get? --Elisabeth Vincentelli