The story goes that Danny Kaye was a big Gilbert & Sullivan fan, and decided to record these songs in the first flush of his Hollywood success. Apparently six of the songs were cut as 78s and later two others were added to make this early 10-inch LP, Kaye's second. According to the sources I consulted, it has not been reissued.
Usually, not being especially well-versed in a subject doesn't inhibit me from expressing an opinion on said subject, but in this case, I will be uncharacteristically circumspect. That's because I don't know much about DK or G&S.
Oh heck, I'll say it anyhow - some of this strikes me as hammy. Some of it is relatively straight G&S and some of it is "improved" - both in performance style and in lyrics (the latter by Kaye's wife, Sylvia Fine).
Sorry to be dour, but those who have been waiting for 60 years for this to reappear may be happy about its being here. I hope one of them is Mel of Sallie and Mel's Golden Age of Hollywood blog on Franklynot. Mel's a Kaye fancier, and he and Sallie run a fine blog.
If there is any interest in this item, I'll post Kaye's first album later on.
6 comments:
This is such a great blog! I'm lovin'it... Keep up the great work...
Thanks so much...
I am sorry to admit that I have never been enthusiastic about G&S but I would include Danny Kaye's entire legacy of recordings in my collection.
In my opinion he was one of the most wonderful all-round entertainers of the 20th Century. He could sing as well as any of the great crooners, he could act, he could dance, and he was the perfect interpreter of his talented wife Sylvia Fine's remarkable output.
I cannot thank you enough for having introduced me to this recording and for sharing it.
Please would you re-up this album if it's possible. Many thanks in advance
Any chance of a re-up on this rare album? It would be really interesting to hear it!
OK, might take some time. I'm a little behind.
New link:
https://mega.co.nz/#!jJdhRARa!2mx0tYijGOeidRvHPaF1cTNzpzgMm0LmgVn6gYlJP4s
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