Burton Lane, E.Y. Harburg - Finian's Rainbow (1947 Original Broadway Cast)

Our Price: $11.19
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Category: Music CD
See more new music releases

Music CD Cover

Free Music Notes for Finian's Rainbow (1947 Original Broadway Cast)

Free Music Review: Finian's Rainbow Revisited
Hit: 5 Stars

I just picked up a copy of the earlier CD edition of this recording, as a point of reference. Since I had only heard the recording for the first time a few days ago, my ears were attuned to the newer CD version.

First thing I noticed was the difference in order of songs. Nothing all that huge, but still significant. I also noticed that the voices in the later CD version come across in a sound quality astounding for recordings of 1947. Actually, when I was listening (on my way to work) to the CD for the first time, I had to pull over and examine the CD case. I had always understood that the recording was originally released on 78's: but what I heard on the CD was decidedly not 78's sound.
And this is coming from one who knows something about 78's...I'm practically knee deep in my collection of them.

I think the difference in the sound on the remastered CD and the sound I generally expect (and totally love, in its own right) from 78's is due to the going back to nearly virgin acetate discs as the masters for the CD.

Acetates tended to sound wonderful for one or two playings...but after that...they were much worse than shellac or metal masters...or even LP's (as far as surface noise and distortion were concerned). But if Sony tapped into acetates stored away unplayed for more than fifty years for the source of the CD...that would explain the amazing sound.

I did find some reviews on line which stated that there was distortion in the newer CD...expecially on Ella Logan's part. I don't exactly agree with that. I don't hear distortion (on my equipment, at least). What I do hear is more of the unique quality of her voice which may have been lost if the recordings were to be sweetened by filtering (and some of the vocal overtones thereby shaved off) in an attempt to reduce surface noise on the issued 78's.

On the acetates (and thereby, on the remastered CD edition), I notice a bit of "breathiness" and "buzz" in the voice which was probably evident when Logan was heard in life up close (and she sounds like she was miked pretty close up on the original recordings). When I listen to the earlier CD edition (as well as on the 1962 LP reissue), the voice sounds sweeter; but not better. I'd still take the newer CD version over any other incarnation of the 1947 Original Broadway Cast recording. Hands down.

Broadway & Vocalists Music CDs

• Music > Styles
• Pop
• Soundtracks