Ethel Merman - Mermania!, Vol. 1

Encore! World, Take Ethel Back!

This CD is a must-have for all musical theatre enthusiasts! Though the GYPSY preview is the supposed centerpiece of the CD, it is the Hello, Dolly! selections that solidify this CD's placement on my top 10 list. The recording of Jerry Herman's "World, Take Me Back" and "Love, Look in My Window" are wonderful! The medleys of old classics provide a rare glimpse into the off-Broadway Merman. The CD is wonderful. In fact, the jacket provided some EXTREMELY interesting information and rare pictures. Ethel is wonderful! April 9, 2000

Merman in The Raw

This is the beginning of what I hope will be a series of CDs that will bring Merman fans her rarest and best recordings. Although it might have been helpful to tell listeners that the medley tracks were made by Ethel for her then-fiance Ernest Borgnine (and recorded with Goldie Hawkins at the piano), these rare glimpses of Merman singing pop love songs is priceless. Likewise the songs from "Happy Hunting." Although the "Gypsy" demos have already been released, the "Hello Dolly" cuts are something I never thought I'd hear on CD. It is too bad Merman's live versions (recordings are available) of these songs weren't included, but perhaps they are forthcoming. Note to the producers: how about Ethel's work on Verve, and the full version of her live album? Ethel fans are going to love this one! December 1, 1999

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