Search - Jule Styne, Sammy Cahn, Phil Silvers :: High Button Shoes (1947 Original Broadway Cast)

Sgt Bilko on Broadway

Mark Andrew Lawrence | Toronto | 03/08/2002

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Long before launching his hit TV show, Phil Silvers starred as a con-man in this hit musical comedy from 1947. HIGH BUTTON SHOES had a score by Jule Styne and was fairly well received by the critics who singled out Silvers and co-star Nanette Fabray for their performances.RCA Victor recorded these 8 selections by the original cast members shortly after the opening night. The album was not issued on LP until the budget label RCA Camden put it out in 1958... and in 1965 RCA Victor re-released it (at full price) in both mono and electronic stereo formats. Since then the score has languished in the vaults. It is the RCA Camden master that was used for this CD edition. Unfortunately the original liner notes (with a detailed plot synopsis by Stanley Green) were not included with the CD. Nor does the track listing indicate who is singing on each track. The sound quality is good, high fidelity mono (some slight surface noise from the original 78s can still be heard) but still very dated. The show itself was dated even in 1947 and will probably never be revived. Best track is Nanette Fabray's "Pappa Won't You Dance With Me."Some people have stated that this Cd contains only excerpts from a full recording. No. RCA's original 78 RPM set was just 4-10" records and the 8 songs here are that full album. For more of HIGH BUTTON SHOES, the overture is included on RCA's collection of Jule Styne Overtures, and a longer version of "I Still Get Jealous" and the full "Bathing Beauty Ballet" are heard on the Cd JEROME ROBBINS BROADWAY."

Sadly truncated but delightful recording

Cole N. Ansier | Madison, WI | 10/26/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I just want to echo the praises of the previous posters. This is one of Jule Styne's finest early scores, and this album is worth is just for the fabulous Nanette Fabray and the hilarious Phil Silvers. What a shame that this recording has been out of print for years and exceedingly scarce.



In response to yaakov, I wanted to list the other RCA recordings that have been discontinued. The poster originally mentioned just Broadway recordings, but I thought I'd list all the out-of-print RCAs, in addition to the other OBC's the poster missed. They are: Avenue X, City of Angels (OLC), the '96 London revival of Company, Chess (OBC), Goodtime Charley, Grease! (with Brooke Shields), Pearl Bailey and Cab Calloway in Hello, Dolly!, Legs Diamond, A Little Night Music (OLC), Pacific Overtures (OLC), Silk Stockings, Sophisticated Ladies, Starting Here, Starting Now (OC), Whoop-Dee-Doo, Wings, Your Own Thing, and recently, Saratoga, the revival of The Most Happy Fella, and Marie Christine have also been deleted by RCA."

Wonderful show - wonderful cast.

J. T Waldmann | Carmel, IN, home to the fabulous new Regional Perf | 07/07/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I thank Mark-Andrew Lawrence for the background he provided for HIGH BUTTON SHOES.Personally, I think the score is absolutely wonderful, even though only eight numbers are available from the original show. I defy anyone not to be enchanted by "Can't You Just See Yourself In Love With Me?" "There's Nothing Like A Model T," "You're My Girl," "Get Away For A Day In The Country," "Papa, Won't You Dance With Me?" "On A Sunday By The Sea," "I Still Get Jealous, and "Nobody Ever Died For Dear Old Rutgers." Moreover, we need to preserve whatever recordings exist of Nanette Fabray (Sony discontinued MR. PRESIDENT) and Phil Silvers (RCA did the same to DO RE MI.) Perhaps we could persuade RCA to go back to its vaults to see if the rest of the score exists. If not, they could remaster what they have and include the related material from JEROME ROBBINS BROADWAY. Oh, Yes. And include liner notes and a listing of who sings what. (RCA has done a great job with the HELLO, DOLLY and FIDDLER ON THE ROOF reissues.)HIGH BUTTON SHOES is only one of the many, many fine Broadway cast recordings RCA has discontinued. Maybe if enough of us make ourselves heard, they might be convinced to bring these albums back: 110 IN THE SHADE, ALLEGRO, DARLING OF THE DAY, DO RE MI, FANNY, HAPPY HUNTING, JAMAICA, Lincoln Center's KISMET, LITTLE ME, ME AND JULIET, MILK AND HONEY, NEW GIRL IN TOWN, Al Carmines' PROMENADE, TAKE ME ALONG, WILDCAT, WISH YOU WERE HERE. Have I overlooked some?Anyway, I really love HIGHBUTTON SHOES.P.S. Check out my lists of deleted shows. Unfortunately AMAZON doesn't have ASIN numbers for MR. PRESIDENT, WHAT MAKES SAMMY RUN, WHOOP-UP, TENDERLOIN, ALL AMERICAN, THE GRAND TOUR, MAGDALENA, PICKWICK (Broadway OC), and the original DRAT! THE CAT! They would make up a third list."