Li'l Abner (1956 Original Broadway Cast)
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Free Music Notes for Li'l Abner (1956 Original Broadway Cast)
Free Music Review: Lil Abner: Timely then, timely now.
Hit: 5 Stars
Fantastic performance and technically superb recording. Al Capp's political satire (he was the best of his time) is well preserved in Senator Fogbound. Too bad this musical is not currently playing, as it would be a resounding success all over again. Or would our current congress outlaw it?Free Music Review: Li'l Abner
Hit: 5 Stars
If you like broadway musicals, this one will be perfect for you. Out of the 50's fun musicals following the lines of the music man. Delightful and pleasant the way the great ones usually are from this period. Try the DVD of the movie as well.Free Music Review: In the very best of hands
Hit: 4 Stars
A great cast offering some lively performances make this a most enjoyable musical comedy. It was the first (of many) musicals adapted from the comics. Al Capp's delightfully zany characters had been entertaining readers for two decades when the musical stomped onto the stage of Broadway's St James theatre in November 1956. After a successful 2-year run, the cast went to Hollywood to translate the show into a very faithful film. The Lp was a steady seller as many colleges and regional theatre kept reviving the show. Sony Special Products released the record on CD in 1990 but apparently without clearing the release with Sony. They were told to withdraw the CD because it was slated for reissue in the Sony Broadway series. That never happened and the first CD issue became a highly prized collectors' item ($100 or more!) Now, Sony has finally restored the title to the catalogue. The remastering is first rate (as noted, some orchestral tracks are in true stereo) and the bonus tracks most welcome. It does seem odd that Sony did not re-print the synopsis from the original LP jacket: The film version is available if you're curious about the convoluted plot. The show is a noisy, lively and lacking in subtlety. Exactly the way a musical version of LI'L ABNER should sound!Free Music Review: Fun show
Hit: 4 Stars
Lil' Abner (the musical) is based on the comic strip characters of Al Capp. The comics have not been in newspapers for decades and some of the themes and gags in this show are a bit dated, but there's still some funny stuff in the show and in the music as well. Very creative lyrics and some catchy, memorable tunes. "Jubilation T. Cornpone" bounces right along while the wistful "Namely You" is a sweet, touching love song.
In addition to the music from the show, this CD includes a few bonus tracks. There are a couple of songs that were cut from the show, and some songs or extended versions of songs that were not on the original vinyl release of this soundtrack.
There's a few hiccups in the recording, a missed cue or two, unbalanced chorus, etc. but still an enjoyable listen.
Free Music Review: A li'l lacking
Hit: 3 Stars
The DVD of the movie, considered one of the most faithful transfers of stage to screen, has been released. If I were you, I'd get that instead of the CD.
The choreography by Michael Kidd was one of the musical's strong points, and obviously, that just does not come through on the cast recording. Sure, the lyrics by Johnny Mercer are fun (and very dated, due to their topical nature), but the music is forgettable.
Columbia has done a wonderful remastering job and the extra tracks are a plus (especially the number by the greatly missed Rosemary Clooney).