Rare Mary Martin album comes back into print
Byron Kolln | the corner where Broadway meets Hollywood | 03/09/2010
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Mary Martin's fans will be most pleased with this release, which marks the CD premiere of her "Cinderella/Three to Make Music" album. In the late 1950s, whilst waiting for Rodgers and Hammerstein to complete the finishing touches on the score for "The Sound of Music", Mary Martin toured the country in a double-bill concert with The Little Orchestra Society. Matinee family audiences were able to enjoy Martin's interactive take on the score from Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Cinderella"; whilst the adults could return in the evening to hear Martin singing "Three to Make Music", an original work from Rodgers' daughters Mary Rodgers and Linda Melnick. RCA recorded both works for one album in 1959.
CINDERELLA is particularly imaginative, with Martin encouraging the audience to take an active part within the telling of the story (as in "Peter Pan" where Martin begged the audience to clap in an effort to save the dying Tinkerbell). Given that the original telecast of the 1957 musical--starring Julie Andrews--was such a phenomenal ratings winner (but couldn't be re-screened because the master-tape was believed to have been erased) it was a wise move for the composers to keep the score in the public memory by touring the "show" with Martin. THREE TO MAKE MUSIC is in a fascinating song-cycle format, and it's more than clear that Rodgers' incredible talents as composer and lyricist were inherited by both daughters.
Mary Martin had enjoyed a long and successful musical friendship with Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, starting out with the national tour of Irving Berlin's "Annie Get Your Gun" (a property managed by R&H); which was quickly followed by the plum starring role of Nellie Forbush in the 1949 Broadway smash "South Pacific", a role she reprised for the London premiere in 1951. After wowing audiences nation-wide in the legendary live telecast of "Peter Pan", Rodgers and Hammerstein sent her out with John Raitt on another tour of "Annie Get Your Gun", culminating in a high-rating TV special. When General Foods spearheaded a multi-channel TV spectacular which spotlighted the musicals of Rodgers and Hammerstein, guess who hosted it, in addition to recreating her "South Pacific" performance? Finally, in 1959, Mary Martin played arguably her greatest role for the team, that of Maria in "The Sound of Music", the last musical written before Hammerstein passed away.
A lovely souvenir of the perfect meeting between singer, composer and lyricist. [Sepia Records 1144]"
Impossible Things Are Happening Everyday!
Bruce K. Hanson | Petersburg, VA | 03/12/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"First I will add this disclaimer: I contributed to the liner notes of this CD. And, so I've been told, some of my records were used. I'm not as certain about the latter statement though for the sound of the vinyl I sent to Sepia was a bit scratchy and, well, vintage. Yet, the recordings on this new Mary Martin CD sound as if they used the master recordings instead of some old records. That said, there are so many other reasons to purchase and own this CD. First of all, Mary Martin herself! In particular, I love the "Musical Love Story" medley as Mary effortlessly woos us with sixteen or so love songs by such major song writers as Cole Porter, Rodgers and Hart and Hammerstein, and several others. Her relaxed approach to the material does not belay the evidence that Martin was at the peak of her vocal prowness during this period. Then there is the fun of hearing Mary narrate Cinderella, the version that first appeared on national televisions starring Julie Andrews. This CD is loaded with still more treasures such as a rare little gem, "Boy Wanted", a song featured over the credits for the telecast of Born Yesterday that starred Martin in the fifties. And then there is the complete recording of Three to Make Music. Much of the material featured was used in a concert tour by Martin that culminated with a Easter Sunday "live" television performance. Of course, the packaging of this CD adds to this handsome tribute to one of Broadway's favorite leading ladies. Are there other unrealeased Martin Martin still stacked up in the major record labels' vaults? Will they be released? Well, I never thought these Mary Martin records would be reissued but impossible things are happening everyday."
A MARY MARTIN CD TO TREASURE!
James Stettler | Los Angeles, California United States | 03/18/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"There is no need to echo what the previous posters said about this new release from Sepia. Sepia is the Rolls Royce of the nostalgia labels and has given this Mary Martin CD their usual faultless production and lavish packaging. The notes by Al Koenig are great and filled with warm reminiscences which are unique to the author. His stories are vividly told and make the reader feel as if he were attending the events related. Koenig's photos are also truly fabulous and I had only seen a few of them before. All Mary Martin releases should be as good as this one. If you are a Mary Martin fan or just curious, this CD is for you."
