The Wiz [Original Cast Recording] [Barnes & Noble Exclusive]

by Wiz

Overview

The Wiz original cast recording is a joyous, vibrant celebration of life, couched in the fantastic terms of a modernized retelling of The Wizard of Oz, with an entirely black cast. And it is fantastic in both senses -- both fantasy-based, like the children's story by L. Frank Baum that it is born from, and also superbly performed. This version far outshines the movie soundtrack (despite the movie having such big-name draws as Diana Ross and Michael Jackson). In this 1975 release, Stephanie Mills is an absolute delight as Dorothy and Andre De Shields is an engaging, rascally Wiz. The songs are stellar too; from the ominous, atmospheric instrumental "Tornado" to the gently affirming, confidence-building "Be a Lion" to the Wiz' grand I'm-outta-here finale, "Y'All Got It," this production is glorious. Listeners will feel uplifted. Very highly recommended, both for children and adults. ~ Murrday Fisher

Product Details

Release Date:	02/07/2025
Label:	Atlantic
UPC:	0081227813451

Tracks

1. Prologue
2. The Feeling We Once Had
3. Tornado
4. He's The Wizard
5. Soon As I Get Home
6. I Was Born On The Day Before Yesterday
7. Ease On Down The Road
8. Slide Some Oil To Me
9. I'm A Mean Ole Lion
10. Be A Lion
11. So You Wanted To See The Wizard
12. What Would I Do If I Could Feel
13. Don't Nobody Bring Me No Bad News
14. Everybody Rejoics
15. Y'all Got It!
16. If You Believe
17. Home (Finale)

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Janet Hamilton   Cello
Rodney Green   Choir/Chorus
Charles Coleman   Vocals,Musical Director
Sam Harkness   Vocals (Background)
Norman Carr   Violin
David Feldman   Woodwind
Wendy Edmead   Choir/Chorus
Eugene Little   Choir/Chorus
Arnetia Walker   Choir/Chorus
Kenneth Scott   Choir/Chorus
Robert Carten   Woodwind
Ronald Dunham   Choir/Chorus
Ben Harney   Choir/Chorus
Jimmy Wigfall   Choir/Chorus
Sharon Moe   French Horn
Jerry Friedman   Guitar
Tasha Thomas   Vocals (Background)
Frank Perowsky   Woodwind
Charles Sullivan   Trumpet
John Tropea   Keyboards
Frank Floyd   Vocals (Background)
Richard Harris   Trombone
Herbert Sorkin   Violin
Harold Wheeler   Keyboards,Musical Director
Jack Jeffers   Trombone (Bass)
David Friedman   Percussion
Richard Gene Williams   Trumpet
Steve Blume   Guitar
Cheryl Hardwick   Keyboards
Evelyn Thomas   Choir/Chorus
Grady Tate   Drums
Geoffrey Holder   Director
Leslie Butler   Choir/Chorus
Phylicia Rashad   Choir/Chorus
Harry Cykman   Violin
Tony Miranda   French Horn
Alan Rubin   Trumpet
Pat Rebillot   Keyboards
Edith Wint   Cello
David Dutemple   Bass
Raymond Beckenstein   Woodwind
Bob McCoy   Trumpet
Alvin Rogers   Violin
Julius Ehrenwerth   Cello
Andy Torres   Choir/Chorus
Lettie Battle   Choir/Chorus
Phillip Bond   Choir/Chorus
Pi Douglass   Choir/Chorus
Shari Alfaro   Choir/Chorus
Stephen Furtado   Trumpet
Gerald Beal   Violin

Technical Credits

Clarice Taylor   Performer
Charles Coleman   Vocal Arrangement
Earl Shendell   Orchestra Manager
Tharon Musser   Lighting Design
Stephanie Mills   Performer
Tasha Thomas   Performer
Charlie Smalls   Composer
Luther Vandross   Composer
Dee Dee Bridgewater   Performer
Phil Ramone   Engineer
Jerry Wexler   Producer
Burt Szerlip   Associate Engineer
Harold Wheeler   Composer,Orchestration
Hinton Battle   Performer
Kurt Weill   Composer
Geoffrey Holder   Costume Design
George Faison   Choreographer
Milton Glaser   Illustrations