Search - Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart :: Babes In Arms (1989 Broadway Revival Cast)

One of Rodgers and Hart's best scores

06/27/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The prototype of all those lets-put-on-a-show musicals, BABES IN ARMS contains some of Rodgers and Hart's greatest songs. Originally written in 1937, the score boasted not only the Rodgers and Hart score but choreography by George Balanchine and orchestrations by the venerable Hans Spialek. (How's that for pedigree?)What's really nice about this recording is the ability it affords us to hear the songs in their original orchestrations. The famous songs of the show, WHERE OR WHEN, MY FUNNY VALENTINE, JOHNNY ONE NOTE and THE LADY IS A TRAMP have received so many individual interpretations over the past 61 years that it is a real treat to hear the songs as they first sounded when introduced by the youthful cast in April 1937. And we get almost the entire score with the one exception of a song that is considered politically incorrect these days. (It's too bad because that song is also a winner.)The singing on the album is full of character, even if it lacks some punch. Perhaps that is a bit too much to ask. However, for all those who wish to get an idea of what musicals sounded like back then, this album is highly recommended. And for dance aficionados it should be a lot of fun to hear the JOHNNY ONE NOTE dance number and imagine what Balanchine did with it."

Superb studio cast recording of hit heavy R&H show

A. Andersen | Bellows Falls, VT USA | 09/11/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"BABES IN ARMS suffers from a hopelessly outdated book but it contains a cornucopia of hit songs. Until now the only recording was the 1951 Columbia studio cast recording with Mary Martin (not on CD until the year 2000). This is a light, sweet and haunting recording with the original orchestrations. Performances are fine as is the sound and conducting. The hit songs (MY FUNNY VALENTINE, THE LADY IS A TRAMP, WHERE OR WHEN, I WISH I WERE IN LOVE AGAIN, JOHNNY ONE-NOTE) are wonderfully done - a sweet package."

Sparkling recording of Rodgers & Hart score

Mark Andrew Lawrence | Toronto | 02/19/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"People who listen to this wonderful recording jump to the conclusion that the show is an overlooked classic. It isn't. The score is jam packed with standards, but the book... the book is a mess! Filled with unfunny jokes, sub-plots that go nowhere and bits of business that I doubt were even entertaining in 1937. Despite a slew of good reviews BABES had trouble attracting audiences until suddenly in teh summer it was the ONLY musical running on Broadway, and that helped it achieve a healthy run of 289 performances. But the show will never be revived except in concert.



Evans Haile is the real star hear, conducting the original orchestrations which swing in the best late 1930s tradition. The extended Ballet "Peter's Dream" is a bit repetitive but the rest of teh CD is pure gold. Really, this is the best way to enjoy BABES IN ARMS.



CORRECTION: The listing says "1989 Broadway Revival Cast" - it wasn't a revival: just a concert version."