Annie Get Your Gun - Studio Cast album

Not Day's finest hour, but...

On paper this sounded like a dynamite idea. And given the talent involved, it should have ended up that way. The great Doris Day was ideal to play Annie. But alas, this is not one of her finest vocal performances. While she does extraordinary work on the beautiful ballads here, the comedy numbers fall very flat. Her timing and vocal mastery are simply not there on those numbers. They actually sound more like early rehearsals than final takes. In fact, one part of "Anything You Can Do" is simply unlistenable to me. Oddly, her vocals were recorded first, then the orchestrations were recorded later, and it shows. It just doesn't "gel" in the way it would if all parties had been present at once, or even if she had been singing to the orchestral playback, as was common at the time.

The arrangements are banal, most particularly the Overture, as well as "There's No Business Like Show Business," which is unwisely done as a choral piece at the end, removing all distinction and meaning from it's witty and biting lyrics about the theatre, and depriving the cast of sinking their teeth into it. Similarly, many of the shows racier lyrics have been completely removed, leaving a "blander" Annie.

One Day standout aside from the ballads is this rendition of "I Got The Sun In The Morning," which is far and away the best of the three recorded versions Day made. Robert Goulet's work is superlative throughout.

The best cd version to date remains the 1966 Lincoln Center Revival cast with Ethel Merman, Bruce Yarnell and Jerry Orbach. Ethel's no Doris Day, but she still nails all the songs, and the orchestrations have never been equalled or bettered. June 12, 2008

Great disc

This is one of the best recordings of this score. Although recorded in the early 1960's, the sonic quality is up to todays standards. Doris Day's singing is at it's peak. Her legendary ability to make you feel she is in the room with you is incredible.

The only quibble is that the two leads Day & Goulet are not on the finale "No Business Like Show Business". May 22, 2008

I've been looking for this for years!!!

This has always been one of my favorite albums to feature Robert Goulet. I agree with another reviewer who said it is as though Goulet and Doris Day were right there in the studio together. This is especially true on "Anything You Can Do (which is one my favorite songs from "Annie Get Your Gun." One would think they were arguing with each other face-to-face.

I have already ordered this CD and can't wait for it to arrive. I thought I was going to have to make do with an old cassette that I transferred to CD.

I believe this album was part of a Doris Day CD box set released by Bear Family some years ago. I enjoy hearing Doris Day, but didn't feel like spending the money on that box set just to get "Annie Get Your Gun."

I'd say "It's Wonderful" that this album is available as a stand-alone disc. May 15, 2008

complete satisfaction

I bought the Annie Get Your Gun CD and very happy !
I had the pleasure of buying one of the original albums in NYC and was able to get back stage and have Robert Goulet sign the album cover.
He told me that he could not even find HIS record and that he & Doris Day never even met while recording the album
I now have the signed cover in a frame above my computer , so now that I have the CD, I can carry him around with me!

THank you for quick service and wonderful selections
Susan Katz
April 22, 2008

A Most Wonderful CD by Robert Goulet and Doris Day

I was so thrilled when my CD arrived, and was thrilled even more while listening to it. First of all, I'm a big fan of the late Robert Goulet, and have almost all of his recordings. I'm also a big fan of Doris Day, and with Robert Goulet and Doris Day singing duets together, made this CD a greater treat for me. I also appreciate the fact that DRG dedicated this CD to the memory of Robert Goulet. April 5, 2008

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