Search - Jule Styne, Leo Robin :: Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1949 Original Broadway Cast)

Wonderful Score With Knockout Choral Arrangements

06/06/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Mediocre?" Good lord, no. This is a delightful, underrated score. Styne is at his brightest and most tuneful, and Leo Robin (a Hollywood veteran) provides surprisingly witty and apt lyrics. The first reviewer complains that the songs aren't always related to the plot. Like the "integrated" musical is the only way of doing things! (And besides, if you bother to look at the script, you'll see that every song is appropriate to the character who sings it.) Buy this CD and enjoy such treats as "I Love What I'm Doing," "It's Delightful Down In Chile," and the wacky "Sunshine." But most of all, enjoy the truly incredible choral singing, courtesy of vocal arranger Hugh Martin, who puts the songs through all sorts of jazzy, improvised-sounding riffs and creates a unique choral sound that has to be heard to be believed. The sound is good. Get it."

Great musical that's underappreciated

12/26/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Contrary to the other reviewer, I find that this score is terrific. Sure, it's not one of the top Broadway scores like a GYPSY, SOUTH PACIFIC or SHE LOVES ME in which every or almost every song sparkles with the same equal fizz, but this score is melodic and like most of the also-rans of the 40s and 50s, outruns todays musicals in melodic value and strong musical theatre writing. We cared about the characters then, not the scenery. I suggest you find out for yourself. And while you're at it, read Anita Loos original novel (also for sale at Amazon)--it may be the best and most hilarious media form for the zany Lorelei Lee."

A classic musical

Byron Kolln | the corner where Broadway meets Hollywood | 12/30/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES is the classic Broadway musical that launched the career of diva Carol Channing, and proved to be the zenith for playwright Anita Loos.Ms Channing plays the role of dizzy flapper Lorelei Lee to perfection and is ideally-parterned by Yvonne Adair as sidekick Dorothy.Interestingly, Ms Channing sings most of her songs without her trademark "grate". She occasionally slips into her raspy tone during "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend", but her "Just a Little Girl from Little Rock" is a crisp, clean delivery (this was a good decade before starring in HELLO, DOLLY!).Yvonne Adair has a lovely singing-voice, used to best advantage in Dorothy's main big number "I Love What I'm Doin'". There are also great numbers like "I'm Atingle, I'm Aglow", "Maimie is Mimi", "You Say You Care" and "Homesick Blues" that never made it to the splashy Marilyn Monroe/Jane Russell movie (that was entirely different than the stage show, but just as delightful).The cast also features Alice Pearce (best-known to musical-buffs as Lucy Schmeeler "girl of mystery" in ON THE TOWN), Jack McCauley, Eric Brotherson, George S. Irving and Reta Shaw.Later followed by a rather-predictable 1995 Broadway revival starring K.T. Sullivan and Karen Prunzik."