Runyonland Music/Fugue For Tinhorns/Follow The Fold
The Oldest Established
I'll Know
A Bushel And A Peck
Adelaide's Lament
Guys And Dolls
If I Were A Bell
My Time Of Day
I've Never Been In Love Before
Take Back Your Mink
More I Cannot Wish You
Luck Be A Lady
Sue Me
(Sit Down) You're Rocking the Boat
Marry The Man Today
Reprise: Guys And Dolls
I'll Know
If I Were A Bell
A Woman In Love
Luck Be A Lady
The original 1950 production of this classic played the mythical Damon Runyon world of New York City gamblers a lot straighter than the 1992 Broadway revival did. In fact, 1950 reviewers called this the "South Pacific of c... more »rapshooters." Alas, Guys and Dolls plays a lot better as a cartoon-like "fable" in the 1990s--which is why the revival is probably the definitive recording while this one is more a historical artifact. Still, it's a gas to hear Robert Alda (Alan's dad!) and Sam Levene originate the roles of Sky Masterson and Nathan Detroit, while both Vivian Blaine and Stubby Kaye (who actually gets most of the showstoppers) would repeat their roles in the otherwise dreadful 1955 Brando/Sinatra film version. And the Frank Loesser music is always great. --Bill Holdship« less
The original 1950 production of this classic played the mythical Damon Runyon world of New York City gamblers a lot straighter than the 1992 Broadway revival did. In fact, 1950 reviewers called this the "South Pacific of crapshooters." Alas, Guys and Dolls plays a lot better as a cartoon-like "fable" in the 1990s--which is why the revival is probably the definitive recording while this one is more a historical artifact. Still, it's a gas to hear Robert Alda (Alan's dad!) and Sam Levene originate the roles of Sky Masterson and Nathan Detroit, while both Vivian Blaine and Stubby Kaye (who actually gets most of the showstoppers) would repeat their roles in the otherwise dreadful 1955 Brando/Sinatra film version. And the Frank Loesser music is always great. --Bill Holdship
A remastered CD of a Broadway masterpiece with some bonuses
F. Behrens | Keene, NH USA | 06/27/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Not all that many musicals can brag that more than half the songs have become standards. And in these days of the "one tune show" (if that many), it is the revivals of the Oldie Greats that represent the American Musical at its best. And high up there stands . I will grant that the recording of the last revival is quite good and certainly more complete than the original cast recording from 1951. But the soloists (if we forget the relatively lackluster role of Sarah) cannot replace the Damon Runyonesque cast of the original: Robert Alda, Vivian Blaine, Sam Levene, Pat Rooney, Sr., and Stubby Kaye. Therefore any collection of Broadway history must include this older release. So just in case you do not yet own a copy, know you by this presence that Decca has reissued it on CD (012 159 112-2) with four bonus tracks from the film for those who think Marlon Brando renditions are worth hearing. Add to which, the booklet has some excellent photos from the 1950 production. 'Nuff said. Run out and grabbit."
Original Cast
John Actman | North Truro, Ma United States | 05/16/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"As the son of the original musical director of "Guys & Dolls", I can see why you said that the show only works as a cartoon. Thats because you've only seen the show done in that manner and not played "real" the way it's supposed to. The characters of Sky, Sarah and especially Adalaide should NEVER be made fun of. When the show works the best is when the audience thinks they could leave the theatre and run into those people on the street and not in the Sunday comics. "Guys & Dolls" should be done the way "Fair Lady", "West Side", etc are AND not cut like the last revival, with dances that relate to the story, not just pretty "steps".
If we only had critics even on the level of John Chapman around today.
The reason I gave only 4 stars to the recording is the 50's sound of the recording and that they didn't record so much of the score. But if you listen to the original orchestrations you can hear how even the relate to whats being said, listen to "I'll Know" and the difference between Sky's section and Sarah's Then listen to what they did in the revival."
Desert Island Bradway Recording Must
furiant@sprint.ca David Cavlovic | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | 03/04/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Was there ever a time Guys & Dolls was out of the record catalogues? Like "I Love Lucy" does a day go by without some group performing this picture perfect Runyonesque hommage that is amongst the top five greatest musicals of all time (including Showboat and Oaklahoma)? MCA's CD re-issue, complete with the original liner notes and additional notes that serves as a neccessary "antidote" to the original notes, is a must for anyone who loves good music. Now, don't misunderstand me. There's nothing wrong with the original notes. Just that, like the rest of New York, critic Louis Untermeyer was intoxicated with the brilliance of the lyrics, score and the casting (why did they cast Marlon Brando in the film instead of Robert Alda? What a big mistake!). As Max O. Preeo, the writer of the "antidote" notes states, "Untermeyer greatly oversimplified Guys and Dolls' success". This was done with good intentions, of course. Nevertheless, the entire CD package is the best issue yet of Guys & Dolls. The two programme notes, original artwork from the first DECCA issue, photos from the production itself; what a wealth of treasure to accompany the wonderful music. Loesser is a master composer whose style can range from Jazz to Beethoven-type harmonies, with a lyrical singing line that singers would expect from Mozart Arias. Incredible music that easily places one in the world of "petty-gamblers", Salvation Army members and show girls. All this from the same composer of the score for Danny Kaye's film "Hans Christian Andersen"!!"
Classic Decca original cast album sounding better than ever!
Mark Andrew Lawrence | Toronto | 05/24/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Winner of the 1951 Tony Award for Best Musical, GUYS AND DOLLS is considered by many to be a near perfect musical comedy. The book is genuinely funny and yet we really do care about the characters.Decca's original cast album was taped just a few weeks after the show had opened to rave reviews. The voices are full of character: Robert Alda and Isabel Bigley make an ideal Sky and Sarah. Vivian Blaine forever owns the role of Adelaide (and she got to preserve her performance in the 1955 film.) Sam Levene is NOT a singer (the cast even asked him NOT to sing in the chorus numbers) and his appearances on the recording are limited. Still, GUYS AND DOLLS would not work with opera singers. The flat Decca sound does not exactly make the vocals sound warmer, but in remastering the original tapes, we can at least hear everything clearly and especially some of the orchestral textures lost in the previous releases. And no one can beat Stubby Kaye's "Sit Down You're Rockin' the Boat" Like Blaine, he got to repeat his role in the film but neither of them appear on the soundtrack album.No complete soudntrack album was made of the 1955 film because of Frank Sinatra's contract with Capitol Records. Decca put out a 4-song EP with Marlon Brando and Jean Simmons singing their numbers from the film and that mini-album is included here as bonus tracks.The 1992 Broadway revival was a spirited production with a great cast (Peter Gallagher, Nathan Lane and Faith Prince) and a recording that captures all the fun. It's more complete, and has better sound. What it lacks are Stubby Kare and Vivian Blaine."
Excellent.....Nothing Beats the Original
Chazmond J. Peacock | Brooklyn, NY | 11/19/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Being that I am doing a production of Guys and Dolls as Nicely-Nicely, I decided to do some research. Naturally, I started with the Original Broadway Cast Recording, but of course I had been familiar with this recording for years already.
I just have to say that NO ONE can beat Vivian Blane as Adelaide, no matter how big their belt, or how nasal they are, Vivian brings something real to the role of Adelaide, and I am glad that her performance was captured here, and in the film. Sam Levene is hilarious as Nathan Detroit, although he is not a singer by ANY means. Isabel Bigley and Robert Alda are great as well. Stubby Kaye as Nicely-Nicely, just like Vivian Blaine cannot be beat. His "Sit Down, You're Rockin' The Boat" is THE definitive version, and the best recorded version. Excellent.
Although the orchestrations are not as full and lively as other recordings, it captures the feel of the time period this show is supposed to take place in, and I it is just perfect.
I would definitely recommend this recording over the plethora of Guys and Dolls recordings."