Roberta; The Vagabond King (Highlights)

by Original Cast Recording

Overview

Decca's Roberta/The Vagabond King features two Broadway operettas from the 1940s and '50s on one CD. The 1944 version of Roberta -- which originally premiered in 1933 and was turned into a movie starring Fred Astaire and Irene Dunne two years later -- boasts music by Jerome Kern and book and lyrics by Otto Harbach, as well as a cast including Kitty Carlisle, Kathryn Meisle, Paula Laurence, and Alfred Drake. Carlisle's sweet, rich voice is perfect for songs such as the classic "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" and "Lovely to Look At," while Laurence turns in charming performances of the wittily romantic "Let's Begin" and "I'll Be Hard to Handle." Drake is winning, as well, particularly on "Fashion Show" and "Don't Ask Me Not to Sing." Unfortunately, one of Roberta's best songs, "I Won't Dance," is not included; but the quality of the recording and the performances here still make this a worthwhile artifact. Drake also starred, along with Mimi Benzell and Frances Bible, in 1951's The Vagabond King. This operetta, which was also made into a movie in 1930 and again in 1956, features music by Rudolf Friml and book and lyrics by W.H. Post and Brian Hooker. The Vagabond King revolves around Villon (Drake), a 15th century Parisian poet who rallied the peasants to defeat the Burgundians and planned to dethrone King Louis XVI, as spelled out in "Song of the Vagabonds." It's a more dramatically inclined operetta, as evidenced by yearning songs such as "Only a Rose," "Some Day," and "Huguette Waltz." While this album omits four numbers -- "King Louie," "Mary, Queen of Heaven," "If I Were King," and "What France Needs" -- it's still a good representation of the production. Combined with Roberta, this release becomes very worthwhile for Alfred Drake fans, as well as aficionados of vintage musical theater. ~ Heather Phares

Product Details

Release Date:	08/27/2002
Label:	Decca / Universal Distribution
UPC:	0044001873126

Tracks

1. Roberta, musical~Overture
2. Roberta, musical~You're Devistating
3. Roberta, musical~Let's Begin
4. Roberta, musical~Yesterdays
5. Roberta, musical~Something Had To Happen
6. Roberta, musical~The Touch Of Your Hand
7. Roberta, musical~I'll Be Hard To Handle
8. Roberta, musical~Smoke Gets In Your Eyes
9. Roberta, musical~Don't Ask Me Not To Sing
10. Roberta, musical~Fashion Show
11. Lovely to Look At, song (from 1935 film "Roberta")
12. Roberta, musical~Finale
13. The Vagabond King, operetta~Overture: Love Me Tonight - Song Of The Vagabonds - Only A Rose
14. The Vagabond King, operetta~Song Of The Vagabonds
15. The Vagabond King, operetta~Some Day
16. The Vagabond King, operetta~Only A Rose
17. The Vagabond King, operetta~Tomorrow
18. The Vagabond King, operetta~Huguette Waltz
19. The Vagabond King, operetta~Love Me Tonight
20. The Vagabond King, operetta~Nocturne / Finale

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Mimi Benzell   Primary Artist,Vocals
Alfred Drake   Primary Artist,Vocals
Paula Laurence   Primary Artist,Vocals
Kitty Carlisle Hart   Primary Artist,Vocals
Jay Blackton   Choir Director,Conductor
Harry Sosnik   Orchestra Director
Jeffery Alexander   Conductor,Choir Director
Paul Laurence   Vocals
Kathryn Miesle   Vocals
Jeff Alexander   Choir Director
Frances Bible   Vocals

Technical Credits

Jay Blackton   Direction
Dorothy Fields   Composer,Lyricist
Doug Pomeroy   Remastering,Digital Mastering
Bernard Dougall   Composer,Lyricist
Penny Bennett   Reissue Art Director
William H. Post   Lyricist
Chris Roberts   Executive Producer
Jerome Kern   Composer
Rudolf Friml   Composer
Otto Harbach   Composer,Lyricist
Brian Drutman   Liner Notes,Reissue Producer
Brian Hooker   Composer,Lyricist
Jimmy McHugh   Composer,Lyricist
Thanne Tangel   Package Coordinator
Laura A. A. Johnson   Package Coordinator
William Post   Composer