Camelot: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1967 Film)
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Free Music Notes for Camelot: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1967 Film)
Free Music Review: Overly re-orchestrated by Newman, and horribile, horrible vocals
Hit: 1 Stars
I decided to listen to this album before I saw the film, since I had just heard the original broadway version. I figured that I wouldn't be ruining anything, since it simply put in the songs, and not any underscore, let alone the overture/prelude. This is perhaps the first and only time that I've seen Alfred Newman work with a Warner Bros. film, and supervise music of Frederick Loewe. I can see why. Mainly, because if any of Loewe's music is heavily orchestrated, it sounds just overdone (except with Brigadoon, which the lush arrangments were just right). I'm awfully fond of Alfred Newman, and I cannot ever get over Ken Darby's choral supervision whenever the two work together. One thing I do know though, the two should've stuck in Rodgers and Hammerstein territory, because the lush orchestration worked for their music. When I eventually saw the film, the only time the music was able to be tolerated by me was when it was used for underscore, mainly because during the songs was when the orchestrations were so heavy. The vocals were something else that were just plain terrible. Vanessa Redgrave should stick to just plain speaking, and Richard Harris simply needs to stick to the timing, and should just try singing for once instead of pulling a Rex Harrison. Or at least when he speaks instead of sings, he should stick to the timing like Richard Burton did in the original broadway cast. "Follow Me," was one of the worst. Why bring in a whole choir, instead of just one singer? The way the choir was arranged made it sound just cheesy and terrible. In fact, the choir work by Darby is nothing like it was in the past. It was way heavier then he ever did before. How can this film not have the song "Fie on Goodness"? That was another major big downer. "Guenevere" was alright, but the way it was performed obviously showed that Newman had lost some of his brilliant touch. If you don't understand what I mean, listen to the original broadway cast of that song. I suppose I'm happy that Newman and Darby won an Oscar for their scoring of the film, but I just don't see it as one of their better works. I see it as one of their worst. I will always appreciate Alfred Newman's supervising of other people's music, and Darby's choir work, but I think that they strayed in the wrong direction when they worked on this film. Otherwise, Loewe and Lerner have written another good musical, but the broadway versian is definitely better. Free Music Review: Richard Harris owned this role
Hit: 4 Stars
I saw him live when was older and he actually was better as Arthur. Almost staged like a play with nice images with only a few scenes over the top with symbolismFree Music Review: fine, but stick to the OBC
Hit: 3 Stars
The film version of CAMELOT ended up being a none-too-flattering vision of the original Lerner-Loewe musical. Directed by Joshua Logan and starring Richard Harris and Vanessa Redgrave, the movie was a modest success, it's long running-time and slow pace the main factors it it's failure. The soundtrack album is a delight, however. Vanessa Redgrave makes for an interesting Guenevere, singing in a charming speak-sing fashion (a la Rex Harrison in MY FAIR LADY), and makes the role her own. Those asking why Julie Andrews missed out on recreating her stage role should be aware that Miss Andrews was approached but had commitments to several films at the time (STAR!, THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE and TORN CURTAIN).
Richard Harris went on to play King Arthur again in several big revivals of CAMELOT including the 1982 London production w/ Fiona Fullerton as well as the Australian tour shortly afterward. Franco Nero (with a voice dubbed by Gene Merlino) is a romantic Lancelot. Redgrave is most charming with her flirtatious "Take Me to the Fair", though her "Simple Joys of Maidenhood" is lovely, and the resignation to her fate in "I Loved You Once in Silence" is truly heartbreaking.
Free Music Review: absolutely the best!
Hit: 5 Stars
i absolutely love this cd. i've listen to my recorded tape ever since i can remember and it's just the best version i've ever heard. it's much much much better than the julie andrews version. in my opinion, vanessa redgrave suits gweneviere much better than julie andrews. her voice is huskier and more dramatic. i can't help but think of a motherly nun when i think of julie andrews.Free Music Review: magical
Hit: 5 Stars
The singing is not in the same leage us the Broadway CD. This is a movie. So, the ambience is different. While the singers Richard Harris and Vanessa Redgrave are quite competent, the underscoring is something out of this world. Veteran Alfred Newman (the wonder boy conductor who started out conducting George Gershwin`s musicals in the twenties) and his longtime associate vocal director, Ken Darby put together a magical score that is definitive and gave life and meaning to Lerner and Loewe`s music and lyrics. Newman deservedly won his last Oscar for music adaptation. If you listen carefully to the scoring, you will realise it can be regarded as a wonderful music score in its own right. All through the picture, the music glows and dazzles and rejuvenates somewhat ploddish direction by Joshua Logan. Please have both Broadway and movie CDs. Both have their own merits. Enjoy.