Today in Music (1967): First stage production of Hair

Hair (cast album/soundtrack) Galt MacDermot, Gerome Ragni, & James Rado (composers)

First Stage Production: October 17, 1967 Cast Album Recorded: May 6, 1968 Cat Album Charted: August 3, 1978 Soundtrack Recorded: December 1978 – January 1979 Soundtrack Charted: April 7, 1979 Peak (cast album): 113 US, 114 CN, 128 AU Peak (soundtrack): 65 US Sales (in millions): 5.0 US (cast), 0.5 (soundtrack) Genre: show tunes/rock

Tracks (Cast Album): Song Title (date of single release, chart peaks) Click for codes to charts. Aquarius (3/8/69, 1 US, 11 UK – the Fifth Dimension) Donna Hashish Sodomy Colored Spade Manchester England I’m Black Ain’t Got No I Believe in Love * Ain’t Got No (Reprise) * Air Initials * I Got Life Going Down * Hair My Conviction Easy to Be Hard Don’t Put It Down Frank Mills Be-In * Where Do I Go? Electric Blues Manchester England (Reprise) * Black Boys White Boys Walking in Space Abie Baby 3-5-0-0 What a Piece of Work Is Man Good Morning Starshine The Bed * The Flesh Failures (Let the Sun Shine In) * unique to cast album Tracks (Soundtrack): Aquarius Sodomy Donna/ Hashish Colored Spade Manchester England Abie Baby/ Fourscore ** I’m Black/ Ain’t Got No Air Party Music ** My Conviction I Got Life Frank Mills Hair L.B.J. ** Electric Blues/ Old Fashioned Melody ** Hare Krishna ** Where Do I Go? Black Boys White Boys Walking in Space Easy to Be Hard (4/28/79, #64 US – Cheryl Barnes) 3-5-0-0 Good Morning Starshine What a Piece of Work Is Man Somebody to Love ** Don’t Put It Down The Flesh Failures (Let the Sun Shine In) ** unique to soundtrack

Rating (Cast Album): 4.634 out of 5.00 (average of 7 ratings) Rating (Soundtrack): 3.801 out of 5.00 (average of 4 ratings) Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

About the Album: “With a score by Gerome Ragni, James Rado and composer Galt Macdermot,” CD-C Hair was “the first and best musical of the hippie peace and love generation.” CD-C “The show and the album were quite different to the usual Broadway fare.” CD-C “Hair was both celebratory and anticlimactic at the same time. Heralded by many at the time as being a rejuvenation for musical theater, it was also supposed to ‘speak’ for the youth. The problem with that is that any time you attempt to allow a piece of written work to speak for a generation, it invariably fails. It is undoubtedly impossible for one musical to classify every attitude held by a person under 30 at that time. Given this fact, Hair was destined to be considered a disappointment.” SE “However, if you take the score out of this context and listen to it simply as a snippet of some prevalent beliefs of the time, or simply as a fictional work, it is really quite wonderful. As Claude’s best friend is expelled from high school and the love of Claude’s life loves someone else, Claude must struggle with the decision to submit to government regulations in which he doesn't believe. A youthful exuberance covers the proceedings, with the first act ending with the infamous nude sequence.” SE The cast album was recorded in RCA Studio B in New York, New York on May 6, 1968. CD-CThe “principal cast includes: Ronald Dyson (Ron); James Rado (Claude); Gerome Ragni (Berger); Steve Curry (Woof); Lamont Washington (Hud); Lynn Kellogg (Sheila); Sally Eaton (Jeanie); Melba Moore (Dionne); Shelley Plimpton (Crissy); Diane Keaton (Waitress); Jonathan Kramer (Young Recruit); Paul Jabara (General Grant); Lorrie Davis (Abraham Lincoln); Donnie Burks (Sergeant).” CD-CThe album won a Grammy for best score from an Original Cast album. CD-C More than ten years later, Milos Forman directed the “cinematic version…As with most adaptations from the stage, the results can be either hit or miss. While the film did not generate much in the way of critical or viewer acclaim, this album contains some noteworthy variations on the 1968 play. At the center is music from Galt MacDermot and James Rado, which likewise has remained as a sort of late-1960s aural time capsule.” LP “In more than a few cases, the movie’s luminous cast take the tunes to a new level. In particular, Treat Williams’ portrayal of Berger shines throughout, especially on secondary numbers such I Got Life, which he turns into one of the best on-screen performances.” LP “John Savage turns in a stellar rendering of the central figure, Claude, whose middle American roots and values are challenged by the freedom offered in the burgeoning counterculture. His substance-induced Where Do I Go becomes not only a pivotal point in the movie, but one of the best cuts on this disc.” LP “The support is of equal value with Beverly d’Angelo’s ‘Good Morning Starshine’ and Cheryl Barnes’ reading of ‘Easy to Be Hard’ being among the strongest versions available. Nell Carter’s big screen debut could not have been more perfectly cast. She captures the essence of Abie Baby and White Boys with a perfect blend of soul and drama. Additionally, Carter plays a significant role in ensemble pieces such as I Got No. The contributions of Melba Moore are not only worth mentioning due to her exceptional rendering of 3-5-0-0, but she is the only member of both the motion picture as well as the original Broadway company. Rock vocalist/ actress Ellen Foley’s solo on Black Boys should be mentioned as a cameo appearance highlight.” LP Notes: A 20th anniversary edtion of the soundtrack was released in 1999 that included a booklet with expanded liner notes and the songs “Party Music” and “My Conviction.” LP

Resources and Related Links: CD-C Cd Universe (cast album) CD-S Cd Universe (soundtrack) SE Sarah Erlewine, All Music Guide (cast album) LP Lindsay Planer, All Music Guide (soundtrack) First posted 8/11/2008; last updated 10/5/2023.

50 years ago: Fiddler on the Roof opened on Broadway

Fiddler on the Roof Jerry Bock (music), Sheldon Harnick (lyrics)

The Musical

Opened on Broadway: September 22, 1964 Number of Performances: 3242 Opened at London’s West End: February 16, 1967 Number of Performances: 2030 Movie Release: September 19, 1968

Cast Album

Charted: October 31, 1964 Peak: 7 US Sales (in millions): 2.0 US Genre: show tunes

Soundtrack

Charted: October 30, 1971 Peak: 30 US, 26 UK Sales (in millions): 1.0 US Genre: show tunes

Songs: Prologue: Tradition (aka “Prologue and Tradition and Main Title”) Matchmaker, Matchmaker If I Were a Rich Man Sabbath Prayer To Life Miracle of Miracles The Dream (aka “Tevye’s Dream”) Sunrise, Sunset Wedding Dance (aka “Wedding Celebration and the Bottle Dance”) Now I Have Everything * Do You Love Me The Rumor * Far from the Home I Love Chava Ballet Sequence ** Anatevka Finale ** * on cast album only ** on soundtrack only Singles/Hit Songs: These were covers of songs from this musical which became hits: “Sunrise, Sunset” – Roger Williams (#84, 1967)

Rating: 4.482 out of 5.00 (average of 12 ratings for cast album and soundtrack combined) Awards (Cast Album and Soundtrack): (Click on award to learn more).

About the Show: “Fiddler on the Roof is one of Broadway’s great classics. Based on the tales of Sholem Aleichem, the musical tells the humorous and heartbreaking story” DH of “Tevye, a Jewish milkman who lives in Russia with his family (including five daughters).” ER “He tries to maintain the simplicities of his traditional life even as his daughters grow up and Russia heads toward revolution.” DH “Anti-Semitic notions abound as Tevye and his family find themselves being forced from their village. Tevye’s daughters break from their village’s tradition as they marry for love, not for prosperity. Throughout all of this, a symbolic fiddler lingers over them.” ER “Fiddler on the Roof was the most successful musical up to its time, running for over 3,000 performances.” ER “The music is beautiful, and haunting at moments” ER while the musical “was also the origin of several famous and now-standard songs” ER like Sunrise, Sunset, If I Were a Rich Man, and Matchmaker, Matchmaker. “As Tevye, Zero Mostel leads – and at times dominates – the original 1964 Broadway cast, displaying irrepressible swagger and bluster.” DH “The original Broadway cast…also had Beatrice Arthur as Yente, the matchmaker.” ER “A young Julia Migenes plays his middle daughter, Hodel, while those who only know Bert Convy as a game-show host will be surprised by his pleasant voice as her suitor.” DH The movie version of Fiddler on the Roof “became the top-grossing film of 1971.” WR The soundtrack “stretched out Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick’s song score with musical adaptations by conductor John Williams. There was plenty of screen dialogue, too. But the appeal of the work continued to be the wonderful songs.” WR Topol, who starred in the 1967 London production, EV takes on the role of Tevye for the movie. He “wasn’t as funny as Zero Mostel…but gave it more gravity. Occasionally on the soundtrack, he sounded so tired, though, that he barely got his lines out. Happily, he nailed ‘If I Were a Rich Man,’ which is Tevye’s real showcase number.” WR The soundtrack also features Isaac Stern as the fiddler. EV “Still, the Fiddler album to buy is the original Broadway cast recording.” WR

Resources and Related Links: DMDB encyclopedia entry for Jerry Bock DMDB encyclopedia entry for Sheldon Harnick ER Sarah Erlewine/ William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide c DH David Horiuchi, Amazon.com c WR William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide s EV Elisabeth Vincentelli, Amazon.com s First posted 9/21/2011; last updated 12/24/2021.

50 years ago: Funny Girl opened on Broadway

Funny Girl Jule Styne (music), Bob Merrill & Walter Scharf (lyrics)

The Musical

Opened on Broadway: March 26, 1964 Number of Performances: 1348 Opened at London’s West End: April 13, 1966 Number of Performances: ? Movie Release: September 19, 1968

Cast Album

Charted: May 2, 1964 Peak: 2 US, 19 UK Sales (in millions): 0.5 US, -- UK, 2.0 world (includes US and UK) Genre: show tunes

Soundtrack

Charted: September 28, 1968 Peak: 12 US Sales (in millions): 1.0 US Genre: show tunes

Songs on Cast Album: Overture If a Girl Isn’t Pretty I’m the Greatest Star Cornet Man Who Taught Her Everything? His Love Makes Me Beautiful I Want to Be Seen with You Tonight Henry Street People You Are Woman Don’t Rain on My Parade Sadie, Sadie Find Yourself a Man Rat-Tat-Tat-Tat Who Are You Now? The Music That Makes Me Dance Don’t Rain on My Parade (Reprise) Songs on Soundtrack: Overture I’m the Greatest Star Roller Skate Rag I’d Rather Be Blue Over You Than Happy with Somebody Else His Love Makes Me Beautiful People You Are Woman, I Am Man Don’t Rain on My Parade Sadie, Sadie The Swan Funny Girl My Man Finale Singles/Hit Songs: These are songs from this musical which became hits: “People” – Barbra Streisand (#5, 1964) ”Funny Girl” – Barbra Streisand (#44, 1964) ”Don’t Rain on My Parade” – Glee Cast (#53, 2009)

Rating: 4.702 out of 5.00 (average of 8 ratings for cast album and soundtrack combined) Awards (Cast Album and Soundtrack): (Click on award to learn more).

About the Show and Cast Album: “This recording of the Fanny Brice biomusical has that wonderful collection of Jule Styne-Bob Merrill songs; vivid performances by Sydney Chaplin as Nick Arnstein, Kay Medford as Fanny’s mother, Danny Meehan as her showbiz pal Eddie Ryan, and Jean Stapleton as a family friend; a killer overture, more than good enough to rival Gypsy’s; Ralph Burns’ opulent orchestrations; and Milton Rosenstock’s excellent musical direction/conducting.” CA “But what matters most is Barbra Streisand, who deservedly shot to super-stardom playing Brice. She’s never been fresher or more appealing than she is here in I’m the Greatest Star, Cornet Man, Who Are You Now?, Don’t Rain on My Parade, “The Music That Makes Me Dance,” and the definitive rendition of People. Streisand uses her sprawling belt, liberally doused with her natural tenacity and eccentricity, to make these songs sound like no one else should even think about singing them for fear of paling in comparison. Even so, her ambitious approach to the songs is always held in check by a complete commitment to character. More than 50 years after this cast album was made, Streisand’s performance still represents the best of what Broadway can be, and propels the recording from ‘excellent’ to ‘essential.’” CA About the Movie and Soundtrack: Streisand reprised her role as Fanny Brice for the movie and won an Academy Award for her performance. However,“the heartfelt emotions she summons on the original Broadway cast recording eminently preferable to the affected, manufactured emoting she does on the film soundtrack.” CA “Strictly in terms of vocal quality, Streisand probably sounds better on the soundtrack than on the Broadway album, but the mile-thick shell of artifice is very off-putting” CA as “Streisand’s bottomless self-indulgence is given full rein here.” CA “The film is notable for the almost complete absence of any singing by other characters; we hear only little bits from Kay Medford, back as Fanny’s mom, and Omar Sharif as Nicky Arnstein.” CA “There are drastic changes to the tune stack, with some of Styne and Merrill’s best work cut. Replacements include two old songs associated with Brice, My Man and I’d Rather Be Blue; and some new numbers written by Styne and Merrill, including the lame Roller Skate Rag and The Swan, plus a superfluous title song that has no heart in it.” CA

Resources and Related Links: DMDB encyclopedia entry for Jule Styne CA CastAlbumReviews.com by Matthew Murray First posted 12/24/2021.

50 years ago: Oliver! opened in London

Oliver! Lionel Bart (music & lyrics)

The Musical

Opened on Broadway: January 6, 1963 Number of Performances: 774 Opened at London’s West End: June 30, 1960 Number of Performances: 2618 Movie Release: October 5, 1968

Cast Album

Charted: November 3, 1962 Peak: 4 US Sales (in millions): 0.5 US Genre: show tunes

Soundtrack

Charted: November 23, 1968 Peak: 20 US, 4 UK Sales (in millions): 0.5 million Genre: show tunes

Songs on London Cast Album: Food Glorious Food Oliver! I Shall Scream Boy for Sale That’s Your Funeral Where Is Love? Consider Yourself You’ve Got to Pick a Pocket Or Two It’s a Fine Life Be Back Soon Oom - Pah My Name As Long As He Needs Me I’d Do Anything Who Will Buy? Reviewing the Situation Oliver! (Reprise) As Long As He Needs Me (Reprise) Reviewing the Situation (Reprise) Finale: Food Glorious Food / Consider Yourself / I’d Do Anything Songs on Soundtrack: Song Title (Performers) [time] Overture Food, Glorious Food / Oliver! Boy for Sale Where Is Love? You’ve Got to Pick a Pocket Or Two Consider Yourself I’d Do Anything Be Back Soon As Long As He Needs Me Who Will Buy? Reviewing the Situation Oom-Pah-Pah Finale (Where Is Love?/Consider Yourself) Singles/Hit Songs: These were covers of songs from this musical which became hits: ”As Long As He Needs Me” – Shirley Bassey (#2 UK, 1960)

Rating: 4.284 out of 5.00 (average of 9 ratings for cast album and soundtrack combined) Awards (Cast Album and Soundtrack): (Click on award to learn more).

About the Show: This musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist was quite a phenomenon in its day, beginning as a modest, fringe-type production in London and becoming an international smash hit. The show boasted a melodic score by composer-lyricist-librettist Lionel Bart, innovative sets by Sean Kenny, fluid direction by Peter Coe, and orchestrations and arrangements that were simple, clear, and direct.” CA About the London Cast Album: “On this cast recording, the now-legendary performance of Ron Moody as Fagin is vibrant and unforgettable. Georgia Brown makes the part of Nancy her own; her husky voice throbs with emotion, and she is entirely believable as a woman of the Victorian underworld. Her rendition of As Long as He Needs Me is definitive. Also excellent are Keith Hamshere as Oliver and Martin Horsey as the Artful Dodger.” CA About the Broadway Cast Album: “Although Clive Revill gives a fine performance as Fagin, his characterization isn’t as colorful and eccentric as that of Ron Moody of the original London cast. But this Broadway album does have Georgia Brown recreating her landmark role of Nancy, as powerfully as ever. Bruce Prochnik sings well as Oliver, Michael Goodman is a fine Artful Dodger, and Willoughby Goddard is well cast as Mr. Bumble. With musical director Donald Pippin breathing new life into the score, the tempi are brighter than on the London album, although the earlier effort is fresher on the whole and more authentic in atmosphere. RCA’s ‘Living Stereo’ sound is superior. An interesting note is that this recording was made in Los Angeles, where the show’s pre-Broadway tour began; by the time the production reached New York, Michael Goodman had been replaced as the Artful Dodger by David Jones, who went on to become famous as one of The Monkees.” CA About the Soundtrack: “Earning six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, the film version of Oliver! was masterfully directed by Sir Carol Reed, with the grand score given a bigger-than-big-movie-musical treatment. Under the direction of maestro Johnny Green, the orchestrations and choral arrangements heard on the soundtrack recording are layered with counterpoint, but the overall effect is appropriate to the alternating opulence and squalor of the story’s various settings. Lionel Bart’s songs stand up beautifully to the elaborate scoring, and the performances are as vivid as the orchestrations. At the forefront is Ron Moody, who outdoes his own fine work as Fagin on the original London cast album. Equally excellent is Jack Wild as the Artful Dodger; with his charming Cockney accent, he offers the best account of the role on record. Shani Wallis sings with great warmth and conviction as Nancy, and Harry Secombe as Mr. Bumble displays a superb tenor that elevates the title song and Boy for Sale to classic level. The one off-note is Kathe Green (daughter of Johnny), who sounds a bit phony and overly sweet in her dubbing of Oliver’s songs for Mark Lester.” CA

Resources and Related Links: DMDB encyclopedia entry for Lionel Bart CA CastAlbumReviews.com by Gerard Alessandini First posted 12/24/2021.