Search - :: No No Nanette

"The New 1925 Musical"

01/13/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"NO, NO, NANETTE, by Vincent Youmans, Irving Caesar, and Otto Harbach, is the show that defined fun-filled 1920's musicals. NANETTE first opened on Broadway in 1925 and was revived sucessfully in 1971; this is the cast recording of that revival. Today, the musical's story and songs -- which include such hits as "I've Confessed to the Breeze," "I Want to Be Happy," and "Tea for Two" -- remain charming. The humorous story concerns Jimmy Smith, a married Bible publisher, who is guardian to teenage Nanette, a would-be "flapper" (liberated woman). Jimmy has been giving money to three pretty girls in different cities, and trouble results when Jimmy, Nanette, Jimmy's wife, and the three girls all turn up at the Smiths' Atlantic City vacation home. Rather than parodying NANETTE, this production treats the show with affection and respect; as a result, the album is sheer delight to listen to. Susan Watson as Nanette sings with spirit and fresh innocence, and Jack Gilford makes a loveable guardian. Roger Rathburn sings well (and with his tongue in his cheek, as it were) in the role of Nanette's rather dull suitor, Tom. Two standouts in the supporting cast are Helen Gallagher and Bobby Van as the Smiths' friends, Lucille and Billy (the secondary "comic couple" seen in so many musicals). Gallagher's rendition of "The 'Where Has My Hubby Gone?' Blues" is terrific. A welcome bonus is a duet called "Only a Moment Ago," sung by Gilford and Ruby Keeler (as Smith's wife); although it was dropped from the show, it is a wonderful song, and I'm glad it was recorded. The orchestra plays the score -- the overture particularly -- with tremendous energy. The recorded sound is excellent and atmospheric -- there is even "tapping" during the dance numbers. This NO, NO, NANETTE is a fun CD that takes the listener back to a more lighthearted era of the musical theatre."

No No Nanette is a Yes! Yes! for your Broadway Collection!

baklavaschwartz | The NJ Meadowlands, USA | 06/25/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For me, the magic of a Broadway musical is its ability to tell a story through songs...yet, have songs that stand up, and out, on their own. They touch our own lives, and tug at our heart strings. Nanette is a classic, IMHO, because it does all of those things. It's a period musical, set in the jubilant and exciting 1920's, bursting with charm, humor and romance which never have, and never will go out of style. From the dated, but romantic "Tea for Two," to the feel good "I Want to Be Happy" (but I won't be happy, til I make you happy, too), and the admonishing "Too Many Rings Around Rosie (will never get Rosie a ring;)this is a collection of tunes, sentiments and infinitely hummable music which is determined to lift your spirits. The music illustrates a bygone era, and offers an escape to simpler times and ear to ear grins. Chances are, you probably know many of the songs, even if you've never seen the show, or heard the music as a whole. If you appreciate Broadway classics like Gypsy, Mame, Funny Girl, Fiddler, Cabaret, etc...you won't be disappointed in Nanette--No, No! :)"

Sparkling recording of an old favourite

Mark Andrew Lawrence | Toronto | 03/08/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This lavish revival brought back a score that had never really been forgotton. At the time of the revival, however, most recordings of songs from the show came from England or France. American labels had not begun recording full cast albums when NANETTE was first scolded in 1925, and the first modern era recording was made in the 1950s in England (and released in the U.S. on one side of an LP on EPIC, backed by highlights from SHOW BOAT.) A later full LP was made by EMI in England and issued as part of their Studio Two "Nights at the Theatre" series. NONE of these early issues can hold a candle to this album in terms of sheer energy and pizazz.Now, this is NOT how the show sounded originally. It has bveen given a full re-orchstration making it sound more like other shows on Broadway in the late 1960s: Big, Bold and Brassy. Producer Thomas Shepard includes some amsuing dialogue bits. The funniest track on the album is still the Act Two finale with pieces of the score woven into a musical scene. Listen to Ruby Keeler's reading of her lines: She's no "method" actress...she sounds as if she has just been handed a script and doing a first reading. Still, that's part of the charm of this album. Ruby more than makes up for her lack of acting skill when she leads the company in a rousing tap routine midway through act one that will set your hair on end! For this remastered CD the opening number from Act Two (Peach on the Beach) has been restored - It was recorded in 1971 buyt left off the album for timing reasons. This resulted in a re-organization of several songs for the original Lp and the sequence is now corrected to reflect the 3- act structure of the farce.This album was a steady best-seller on record and is now a welcome issue as part of the Columbia Broadway Masterworks series from Sony. Maybe the Cd will inspire another Broadway revival!"