I was surprised to discover recently that Richard Rodgers conducted not one but two LPs of his own music. I've had the 1954 12-inch LP for many years - that's the one made with the New York Philharmonic. But here is a 10-inch LP I'd never seen before.I haven't yet been able to find out when it was recorded, so I'm going to resort to some informed guesswork. The LP was published in 1949, but I suspect these sides were made about a decade earlier. Why?
- Rodgers worked with Hart through 1942's By Jupiter, but the latest show represented here is 1938's The Boys from Syracuse.
- The solo singers here were both active in the 1930s.
- The uncredited arrangements are characteristic of the dance band sound of the 1930s.
Whatever its provenance, this is a very good set, with the female vocals by former Hal Kemp singer Deane Janis and the male vocals by Lee Sullivan, perhaps best known these days from being in the original Brigadoon cast.
This is a gem.
ReplyDeleteI am a great buff for collecting recordings of the great Broadway composers performing their own works.
I have never come across this LP before.
Many thanks indeed.
You're right on the mark. This originated as the Columbia 78 set C-11, best known for being the first album cover by Alex Steinweiss. See link below. (It's interesting to read the author's amazement at the concept of the 78 album, as well as the fact that he paid 30 smackers for his copy and considered it a bargain. I consider the "first album cover claim" a bit dubious, though. What do you think?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.undependent.com/blog/2008/01/13/the-worlds-first-album-cover-alex-steinweiss-greatest-hit/
Jeff,
ReplyDeleteI can't thank you enough for your note. I am quite happy that my guess as to the date of this recording was so accurate. But when I read your note, I also did a cartoonish head-slap because I have seen this cover before, probably in the Alex Steinweiss book! I'll write a note for the main paage of this blog clearing up the matter and pointing people to the URL you sent. Thanks again!
Would it be possible to have this reuploaded? I'd be most grateful.
ReplyDeleteThe new link to this and Torch Song seem to be inactive.
ReplyDeleteAm I missing something?
Regards
Link should work now.
ReplyDeleteIt does--many thanks, as always
DeleteI have these already from another source, however glad to see this historic album here again. I googled up a few scans of the original cover art a while ago and just uploaded it, in case someone wants to include it in the folder:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.sendspace.com/file/hj07mc
As for the 1954 NY Philh. album, if ever you get around to posting it, it would be very much appreciated ;-)
MusicalGuy - Thanks for the covers!
ReplyDeleteThank you Buster.
ReplyDeleteRichard
I am sorry...Can I ask a new link again ?
ReplyDeleteKostrow - Sure, assuming I can find the files.
ReplyDeleteRemastered version from mp3 originals (Apple lossless format):
ReplyDeletehttps://www.mediafire.com/file/wjya1lvq6alp4py/Richard%20Rodgers%20-%20Rodgers-Hart%20Musical%20Comedy%20Hits%20%28remastered%29.zip
OOO! GREAT! Thank you very much!
ReplyDeleteTHX for this new link !
ReplyDelete