High Society [Cast Recording]

This is such a wonderful musical - Cole Porter at his best - I listen to it over and over and over. I'm very proud to be producing it for a Northern California Community Theater group - a "Silicon Valley Premiere" since only A.C.T. has done it before my group. Wondeful melodies, music, lyrics - everything. I can picture the show unfolding and the love that is truly evident between Tracy and Dexter, though she has to learn a few things 'bout life first - and come off her "holier than thou" cloud. A wonderful theater experience!

In 1939 there was "The Philadelphia Story" as a stage smash. In 1940 it was a screen smash. In 1956 it was a film musical of some note. Finally in 1997 there opened on a San Francisco stage and the next year in New York a musical based on the second film and on the original play-- thereby completing the cycle. And thank you, DRG, for issuing a CD version of this latest incarnation, High Society (drg 19011). Of course as was done twice before with Gershwin, many other Cole Porter songs are added to those used in the film; so we have "True Love" here and "I Love Paris" there, with the perhaps or perhaps not excusable "additional lyrics" (I hope not an attempt to "improve" on Porter!)-all of which is sung with verve by an energetic cast that are not the cat's meow vocally but are winning nevertheless, headed by Melissa Errico, Daniel McDonald, Randy Graff, Stephen Bogardus, and John McMartin. So if you love Cole Porter-and who honestly does not?-you will enjoy this offering very much indeed.

This CD was a thoroughly pleasant surprise. The 1950s MGM musical, 'High Society', is fondly remembered by many. However, I've always thought its score and the performances of the songs, especially by Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong (ironic, kindly), Celeste Holm and Bing Crosby were its best features. The book seems dated and irrelevant. Earlier attempts have been made to bring 'High Society' to the stage and they, like this version, have raided the Cole Porter songbook to flesh out a fairly short film score. Oddly they, like this version, have omitted my personal fave song from the movie, 'Mind If I Make Love to You', a sensuous piece of sophisticated '50s show music. Am I the only person who likes it? Why is it left out by revivalists? This version, unlike in particular a very disappointing London cast recording from the '80s, strikes me as a fine Cole Porter musical. The interpolated songs generally work very well. While 'High Society' (the song) loses something when not delivered by Louis Armstrong, the Greek chorus of singers who present it here are a valid alternative. Best thing about the disc is that the vocal qualities are even throughout and invariably impressive. Additionally it offers snatches of dialogue which are convincing and give the songs context. While the Capitol 'High Society' soundtrack recording is a must for fans and is irreplaceable this version is utterly different and totally valid on its own terms. It's also a thoroughly enjoyable hour of classy music. If in doubt - buy!