I. Berlin Annie Get Your Gun Genres:Soundtracks, Classical With all due respect to Bernadette Peters's wonderful, Tony-winning portrayal in the 1999 revival of Annie Get Your Gun, the role of sharpshooting Annie Oakley belongs to Ethel Merman. Her bold, brassy performance of Irvin... more »g Berlin's best score is legendary, as are the songs themselves, including "Doin' What Comes Natur'lly," "You Can't Get a Man with a Gun," "They Say It's Wonderful," "I Got the Sun in the Morning," "Anything You Can Do," and, of course, the classic industry anthem "There's No Business Like Show Business." This rerelease of the original 1946 cast recording includes four bonus tracks recorded in 1972: the overture, "Colonel Buffalo Bill" and "I'm a Bad, Bad Man" (both removed along with "I'm an Indian Too" for the politically correct 1999 revival), and "An Old-Fashioned Wedding," which was written for the 1966 revival. --David Horiuchi« less
With all due respect to Bernadette Peters's wonderful, Tony-winning portrayal in the 1999 revival of Annie Get Your Gun, the role of sharpshooting Annie Oakley belongs to Ethel Merman. Her bold, brassy performance of Irving Berlin's best score is legendary, as are the songs themselves, including "Doin' What Comes Natur'lly," "You Can't Get a Man with a Gun," "They Say It's Wonderful," "I Got the Sun in the Morning," "Anything You Can Do," and, of course, the classic industry anthem "There's No Business Like Show Business." This rerelease of the original 1946 cast recording includes four bonus tracks recorded in 1972: the overture, "Colonel Buffalo Bill" and "I'm a Bad, Bad Man" (both removed along with "I'm an Indian Too" for the politically correct 1999 revival), and "An Old-Fashioned Wedding," which was written for the 1966 revival. --David Horiuchi
CD Reviews
Still tops of all 8 recordings of the score
A. Andersen | Bellows Falls, VT USA | 07/14/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Although this was conceived for 12 78 rpm sides, it is still the best of the 8 (so far) recordings of the work due to the classic Merman performance, surprisingly good sound (for Decca) and the warm spirit that infuses this medley of hits. There are a few songs missing as well as the overture but those can be made up for by buying the next best CD - the Merman Lincoln Center revival. She's still in fabulous voice here and the excellent stereo sound, complete score and marvelous supporting cast bring this very close to the original - it also boasts a new Berlin song written for the revival. Other recordings made are/were: Judy Garland soundtrack released on disc and tape but now out of print; Betty Hutton soundtrack released in many forms on disc and tape but now out of print; Mary Martin/John Raitt touring company and tv version - available on CD; Doris Day/Robert Goulet studio recording now out of print; Kim Criswell/Thomas Hampson studio recording now out of print; Bernadette Peters recent revival. The comparison of the Garland and Hutton versions are amazing. Garland's performance is fine but the songs are paced lethargically slow; the re-recordings for Hutton when Garland was fired from the film and the MGM lot are a lot brisker, livelier and "present." Someone needs to put both the Garland and Hutton tracks on a single CD with the rest of the film tracks for a fun release. FLASH - for those that mourn the film's unavailability on video due to Berlin estate legal restrictions should check out the video release of the black and white kinescope of the Mary Martin/John Raitt live tv performance - fabulous. Now out of print on Hen's Teeth Video but a copy rests with REAL TO REEL VIDEO in Walpole, N.H. for rental."
Beautifully Remastered
Peter Prainito | Lombard, IL USA | 12/11/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Plain and simple, any true lover of Annie Get Your Gun needs to have the following in their libary: 1.) This 1946 original version with Ethel Merman in her prime (sure her voice is gritty, but perfectly suited to the character); 2.) the 1966 Lincoln Center revival with Ethel Merman again (Old Fashioned Wedding alone is worth the purchase); 3.) the Kim Criswell studio recording on EMI (sadly out of print right now); 4.) the movie soundtrack with Betty Hutton and Howard Keel who are simply fabulous (the recording quality is a letdown, however) 5.) THE MOVIE!..... buy it on video or DVD, but just buy it! These are your essential AGYG purchases. A lot of people also like the new Broadway recording starring Bernadette Peters. Although she does a fine job, I cannot give this version my recommendation as for numerous reasons that I have pointed out in a previous review."
The One And Only Original Annie
Peter Kline | Coral Springs, FL United States | 09/03/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This recording sounds as delightful as it always has with Ethel Merman belting out the Irving Berlin Score. Nice remastering. Note: The MGM movie soundtrack is due soon with both the Betty Hutton version as well as the Judy Garland pre-recordings. (Hutton replaced Garland, who was fired by MGM for not showing up on time). In addition the DVD is arriving next month with 3 of the filmed Garland segments as a bonus"
There's No Version Like This Version
Mark Stein, MD | Stirling, NJ | 01/17/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The original is still the best, far superior to the 1999 remake. Ethel Merman's voice is the true instrument; no need for a big loud orchestra and a lot of background singers. A refreshing clarity to her singing, a presence simply not heard anymore. More than 50 years later, she still seems to be jumping out of the speakers into my living room. A beautiful simplicity to the songs, as Irving Berlin no doubt meant them to be."
Now I'm Confused!
Mark Stein, MD | 04/02/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I had seen AGYG on Broadway with Bernadette Peters, and I thought that it was the best thing since chocolate. Well, maybe the second-best, but right up there with Gameboy color. I got the CD and listened to it about a million times. But then I borrowed this one from a friend, and I was amazed! I thought that Bernadette Peters was amazing at being Annie, but Ethel Merman is phenomenal! Now I don't know which one I like!! It's an amazing CD!"
