Leonard Bernstein, Betty Comden, Adolph Green - On the Town

Many people are more familiar with Hollywood's version of On the Town than with the original Broadway show. While Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly's movie is pretty swell in its own right, the score ditched much of Bernstein's electrifying compositions as well as songs like the hilarious "I Can Cook Too." Since the 1944 show had never been properly recorded, original cast members Betty Comden, Adolph Green, Nancy Walker, and Chris Alexander finally got in a studio in 1960 while Bernstein himself conducted the New York Philharmonic. The Philharmonic can be a bit stiff at times, but this tale of three sailors on leave in New York is so full of energy and humor that it could be done by a string quartet and still blow the roof off. --Elisabeth Vincentelli Amazon.com

MGM, you are so stupid!

What in the world was MGM thinking eliminating most of these songs for their stupid film? All of the songs are fabulous! I love them all, & I have such fun listening (and singing) to them. I've recently purchased this CD & I'm glad I did. September 28, 2008

Top of the town

Many of Bernstein's Broadway endeavors were too musically erudite to be appreciated by their audiences--witness "Candide" and "1600 Pennsylvania Avenue." "Wonderful Town" and "West Side Story" were clear exceptions. "On the Town" is borderline. Happily, it survived for 463 performances and this belated partially-original-cast-recording. It may well be that its appearance during the days of World War II added to its appeal. Actually, I find the movie version also to be enjoyable; but it is basically a whole different show. There was also an "On the Town in Concert" version on television that was quite good.
All in all, this is an important part of Broadway musical history and needs to be in the collection of all who enjoy this genre. Enough has been said in previous Amazon reviews about the various singers and songs. Just know that this is a very good recording of a very good show.

July 7, 2008

The original score outshines the film version

People who have seen the botched MGM film of "On the Town" are in for a surprise. This 1960 album contains most of the original Bernstein-Comden-Green songs and dances from the 1944 play.

With the the original orchestrations and lyrics, the songs burst out in joy, humor and a tinge of sadness.

Leonard Bernstein's jazzy arrangements, which were cut to shreds in the film, are presented here alive and spirited.

Columbia Records assembled most of the principals who appeared in the play: Nancy Walker (Hildy, the taxi driver), Adolph Green (Ozzie, a sailor), Betty Comden (Claire, the anthropologist) and Chris Alexander (Chip, a sailor who's being pursued by Hildy). Baritone John Reardon substitutes for John Battles in the role of Gabey, one of the three sailors.

Among my favorite songs are "Carried Away," which takes place in a museum setting and establishes a common bond between Claire and Ozzie ; "Lucky to Be Me," a pop standard that Gabey sings as he awaits his date; "Ya Got Me," a propulsive, exuberant song with a Latin beat that the gang sings to a downcast Gabey at a nightclub; and, perhaps the best of the lot, "Some Other Time," a poignant number that Claire (Betty Comden), joined by Hildy and others in a beautiful vocal arrangement, sing as the sailors' leave comes to an end. (There are about two dozen versions of this song currently in print. And MGM should be ashamed for omitting it.)

The album also includes Leonard Bernstein's ballet numbers (there were five in the play). In the film version, themes from the ballets were incorporated in the dance "A Day in New York."

Strongly recommended.

October 9, 2007

A "Must " For Lovers of Broadway Shows

This is a thrilling recording with respect to the performances, the writing, and the exceptional sound. The bonus track of the overture brings up the name of Lehman Engel, the Broadway pit conductor and vocal arranger who always put his considerable enthusiasm into all of his projects. It was Mr. Engel, working with Goddard Lieberson of Columbia Records, who came up with the idea of recording the score of ON THE TOWN with many of the original members of the Broadway Cast. In his wonderful autobiography THIS BRIGHT DAY Lehman Engel recollects Leonard Bernstein calling him and saying "Oh, don't hate me, but it's my baby, and I would so like to do it myself." Mr. Bernstein ended up conducting ON THE TOWN and the result is wonderful, although it probably would have been great with Lehman Engel conducting as well.
One of the great aspects of this recording is the inclusion of all the ballet musical sequences, so often excluded from the vast majority of Broadway Cast albums.Grab this one!!!
August 15, 2006

The Essence of the '40s!

On The Town proves -- again -- that Leonard Bernstein's real gift to us was his musical theater work. His score for On The Town goes way beyond the songs -- dance numbers, etc. -- and this CD gives you a real taste of all his flavors. The performers, including Betty Comden and Adolph Green, who wrote and starred in the original Broadway production, are lively, irreverant, funny and "up...". Even though it was recorded a decade after the original show closed, it has a real "live" feel to it. I also think the not very often performed "Some Other Time" ranks up there in "Standards Heaven" with the best of the Gershwins. September 8, 2005

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