Search - Ira Gershwin :: Oh, Kay! (1955 Studio Cast)

Stunning studio recording of a long-lost show...

Byron Kolln | the corner where Broadway meets Hollywood | 12/21/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"OH, KAY!, a musical rarity from the 1920's, is given a beautiful treatment here in a studio recording made in 1957 that captures the feel and excitement of those heady days.The golden-voiced Barbara Ruick heads this recording. Ms Ruick played the role of Carrie Pipperidge in the 1956 film version of CAROUSEL (soundtrack on Broadway Angel). She gives a delightful performance here; her voice well-suited to the melodious songs of George and Ira Gershwin.Jack Cassidy gives a splendid reading of "Dear Little Girl" and "Heaven On Earth"; while Ruick gives a thrilling rendition of the quintessential flapper tune "Do, Do, Do".With game support from Allen Case and Roger White, this recording of OH, KAY! is a must for all musical fans."

Oh Kay: Superb

Byron Kolln | 07/04/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This cast does a wonderfully with this most tuneful of the Gershwin musicals. As distinct from some other versions of the 1920's Gershwin musicals they do not make it out to be camp, or burlesque the 20's style in any way, They treat the material seriously, and the result is a joy to the ear. Cassidy and Cassidy's duets are simply beautiful music. This is the most 1920's of the Gershwin musicals. Anyone who enjoys the genre will be thrilled by this CD. There is not a single non-tuneful moment in the entire hour. Tunes few have heard of today are all Gershwin-melodic, and wonderfully presented here. The sound quality is excellent as well. You actually hear every syllable of Ira's clever lyrics. But it's George's wonderful tunes that delight throughout. Hard to see how it could be improved upon."

20s "pattern of musical comedy"

tenor fanatic | Florida | 06/16/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This was the analysis given by Broadway historian Stanley Green. I enjoyed this recording; but I am not as gung-ho about it as the previous three reviewers. "Oh, Kay!" includes a few Gershwin songs that have become classics--"Clap Yo' Hands," "Do, Do, Do," "Someone to Watch Over Me"--and a few that might as well be forgotten--"The Woman's Touch," "Bride and Groom." One set of lyrics, "Don't Ask," may have spoken understandably to audiences of the 20s, or even of the 50s when this studio cast recording was made; but it could be interpreted in a totally different vein today.

All in all, this is a pretty true representation of the 20s style musical. It is not presented, as "A Customer" reviewed, as camp or burlesque. Neither does it attempt completely to sound like 20s orchestrations. It does have the vocal sound of early musicals, especially with Jack Cassidy's wide vibrato.

I have also owned the Stet version recorded in 1960, and greatly prefer this one."