Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart, Erin Dilly, Melissa Rain Anderson - Babes In Arms (1999 City Center Encores! Cast)

Rodgers and Hart's Babes in Arms is the archetypal "let's put on a show in a barn!" musical. When Encores! decided to revive it, they picked a mostly unknown cast to match the characters' young age. Happily, the gamble paid off, especially considering the astonishing number of showstopping songs that pepper the ditzy book. Erin Dilly and Australian cabaret star David Campbell play the lead ingenues, and Dilly does well enough by "My Funny Valentine" and "The Lady Is a Tramp." But Melissa Rain Anderson steals the show with brassy renditions of "Way Out West" and "Johnny One-Note." A 1989 recording of the musical may have stronger performances overall (Judy Blazer has brass and sass!), but more Rodgers and Hart is always better. --Elisabeth Vincentelli Amazon.com

Are you ever going to publish my review?

This version (I prefer the earlier which leaves it out altogether) sings the verse and leaves out the chorus. If DRG thinks that song is offensive, they haven't listened to the radio lately. DRG advertised Out of This World as complete. So I bought it. It was nothing of the kind. I prefer the original anyway, except I, Jupiter. Their soundtrack to Bells Are Ringing claims to be the first time on CD. I have 5 CDs of it put out by Capital a few years ago. It's one of my favorite childhood memories. Play that music for me and my sweet. All dark people is light on their feet. Pay no mind to a little conceit. All dark people is light on their feet. And just the same as flowers get honey, all God's chillun got buck and wings. Pale faced babies don't dance in the street. All dark people are light on their feet. Offensive? No. November 3, 2007

Coffe Club Orchestra

Had not heard this disc prior and expected more orchestral treatment. Was disappointed in the arrangements. September 26, 2007

Decide for yourself

The above reviews make many interesting, informative, and valid points. No one could be blamed for rushing out to buy the CD on the basis of such glowing reviews. I'd just like to say to do yourself a favor and LISTEN TO THE SAMPLES before making a decision. If you do, my hunch is that you'll never buy it. Reasonable people can disagree, but how anyone could recommend this performance, or even be willing to listen to it for a second time, is beyond me. Personally, I think it's terrible. Yes, it has its good points, but I am most interested in the music, and in the quality of the singing, and the latter is painful to listen to. They are not singers. They are not performers. True, and this is probably where we differ, they sound like you would expect their characters to sound in real life, but I go for the music, not the dramatic effect. Ideally, both should be present, but if that's not possible, save and protect the music. August 19, 2006

Encores Concert cast performs with youthful exuberance

I confess a (very) slight preference for the New World Cd which has a bit more polish and a bit more pizzazz. Still, this version from Encores is quite enjoyable and offers a truly youthful sounding cast.

It's a shame that the book of BABES IN ARMS is such a mess and it has defied repeated attempts to revise and revive it. The songs are good but they are not exactly glued to the plot which may explain why they work so well out-of-context.

The songs remain evergreen classics, though of limited relevance to today's listeners.

DRG now has three Rodgers & Hart shows in their catalogue, all courtesy of Encores: PAL JOEY, BOYS FROM SYRACUSE and now BABES IN ARMS. It's a shame the concert of CONNECTICUT YANKEE was not preserved as well.


The songs remain evergreen classics, though of limited relevance to today's listeners.

DRG now has three Rodgers & Hart shows in their catalogue, all courtsy of Encores: PAL JOEY, BOYS FROM SYRACUSE and now BABES IN ARMS. It's a shame the concert of CONNECTICUT YANKEE was not preserved as well. February 20, 2005

GREAT Musical. Hehhh CD.

It's fantastic to have all the songs in their original order and arrangements. On the other hand, this disc contains, let's face it, the worst version of "The Lady Is a Tramp" on record. October 11, 2002

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