Barnum (1980 Original Broadway Cast)
|
List Price: Our Price: $4.68 You Save: $3.31 (41%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $3.77 (click here) Category: Music CD See more new music releases 
|
|---|
Canadian Music Store
Free Music Notes for Barnum (1980 Original Broadway Cast)
Free Music Review: a gorgeous score
Hit: 4 Stars
Cy Coleman and Michael Stewart's BARNUM is one of the most joyful and exciting of all Broadway musicals, which provides a wonderful account of the life of P.T. Barnum, showman extraordinaire.Jim Dale, as Barnum, is a revelation. He offers a touching rendition of "The Colors of My Life" (the score's singular hit), as well as an energetic "Out There" when he has to decide between a life with his wife or an affair with singing star Jenny Lind.
Glenn Close (in the role that got Hollywood knocking) is a delight as Charity "Chairy" Barnum, the put-upon wife who knows what is best for her husband and tries to steer him along a path that will see him put his dreams aside. She offers her own glowing rendition of "Colors" as well as the jaunty "I Like Your Style" in a duet with Dale; and the show-stopping number "One Brick at a Time" is ably-led by her soaring voice. In 1993, Glenn Close returned to Broadway to star in SUNSET BOULEVARD. Play this recording back-to-back with SUNSET and you will be amazed at the difference in her voice.
Marianne Tatum is given the beautifully-written role of Jenny Lind, the "Swedish nightingale" who steals Barnum away for a torrid affair. She is given the gorgeous "Love Makes Such Fools of Us All", and sings it for all its worth.
Terri White, in her dual-roles of Joice Heth and the leading singer in "Black and White" is given ample time to display her amazing belt. In Joice's number "Thank God I'm Old", she slightly restrains her voice, but in "Black and White", watch out! She lets her voice climb to the rafters and you will be a fan forever.
All-in-all, this superb recording of BARNUM is a must.
Free Music Review: Be a "Sucker" and Buy This!!
Hit: 4 Stars
This is an underrated and surprisingly listenable original cast recording of an underrated and surprisingly entertaining show. "Barnum" opened on Broadway 22 years ago and had a healthy 2 year run, but it was never considered a classic or even memorable show. At the time, pompous shows like "Evita" were all the rage, while more traditional ones like "Barnum" were considered antiquities. But unlike other, older shows that were once popular but have since fallen deservedly into obscurity ("Two Gentlmen of Verona" comes to mind), "Barnum" still comes alive with some memorable songs and an energetic cast. It's surprising how durable these melodies are. "There's a Sucker...", "The Colors of My Life" and "One Brick at a Time" are three of the unexpected pleasures here, but overall the music never really slacks and these tunes stay with you. The performances have enthusiasm, even if Glenn Close's wobbly chops sometimes threaten to spiral off the melody. On one song, the otherwise pleasant "I Like Your Style", she and Jim Dale compete for who can harmonize off key with the most consistency; it's a tie. But mostly the energy and characterization of the leads make up for any vocal deficiencies. The sound of this CD is rather crisp and dynamic, a tribute to the original recording and engineering. Overall, a worthwhile addition to any Original Broadway Cast collection.Free Music Review: Just like the man: A lot of flash and a bit of humbug
Hit: 3 Stars
Jim Dale makes this score work. Listen to him sell a "There is a Sucker Born Ev'ry Minute" with a conman's confidence that comes across even on a CD, or check out the verbal gymnastics on the "Museum Song," as quick a bit of patter as you will ever hear in the theater, and you realize that his performance was the reason to see this show. There are a number of highlights here, Terri White (as Joice Heth George Washington's nanny, one of Barnum's first humbugs) is dynamite singing "Thank God I'm Old," and Leonard John Croffot has fun as Tom Thumb (Bigger Isn't Better"), but it's Dale's contributions that you'll remember.
Unfortunately there are a fair amount of duds in this show as well. Despite Dale's claims to the contrary "Colors of My Life" in any of its variations is syrupy and forgettable, the pseudo-opera of "Love Makes Such Fools of Us All" is almost unbearable and poor Glenn Close gets stuck with almost every other weak song in the show. Luckily she can sing and you'll be able to work your way through the dross to get to Dale's next razzle-dazzle number. BARNUM doesn't have a great score, but it is enjoyable bit of humbug and worth the purchase for fans of the show or anyone who likes to hear a performer at his best.
An interesting extra: Some of Cy Coleman's original demos- a great add on for Broadway fans.
Free Music Review: Cy Coleman at Its Best.... lyrics?
Hit: 3 Stars
Yes the score for this musical is beautiful. So much going on in each one, perfect for that circus atmosphere. Each instrument has character which is so lost in modern musicals. Now my thing with the lyrics is not that they're bad. They get rather dulled at points, and I just tuned them out. When Jim Dale was singing I listened just to hear him, but otherwise, take them or leave them. It Seems to be show you need to see not hear. Favorite song: "There Is a Sucker Born Ev'ry Minute"Free Music Review: OK, But Not The Best Cy Coleman Musical
Hit: 3 Stars
This 1980 Cy Coleman musical, starring the terrific Jim Dale and Glen Close, has its moments, but doesn't compare with his best efforts: "Sweet Charity", "City Of Angels", "The Life" or "The Will Rogers Follies".
Best Tracks:
There's A Sucker Born Ev'ry Minute
One Brick At A Time
Come Follow The Band (great Act II opener!)