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With each year that goes by, it seems I’m buying less and less CDs. There are two strong reasons for that to happen. I’m lucky to have a good and strong CD library, which means that I already own many of the reissues that were released in 2011. The other reason has to do with the Internet. Today is easy to listen to samples of the new musical scores that are released and so I only buy the ones that fancy me; that means it’s very rare for me to buy a CD that I don’t know what it’s all about (years ago things were different and I took more risks and so I have many CDs I don’t like).

Anyway, this was a good year for Musical fans. For the new show tune lovers, there were plenty of interesting reissues, among them titles like THE GIRL IN PINK TIGHTS, THE BOY-FRIEND, MRS. SANTA CLAUS, BY JUPITER, KEAN, MAGGIE FLYNN, SAY DARLING and MR. PRESIDENT. But from the vault of the past there were also some new titles; here are the ones I bought:

CINDERELLA – London cast recording, with Tommy Steele, of the Rodgers & Hammerstein musical. It doesn’t bring anything new to other recordings of this score;

GONE WITH THE WIND – Harold Rome musical version of the famous classic is kind of boring, although the cast sings it with talent;

JOHNNY THE PRIEST – This 60’s British musical by Anthony Hopkins & Peter Powell may sound good on stage, but it didn’t conquer my attention.

For veteran show tune lovers like me, there were many new musicals. As you probably know, I’m kind of an old-fashion guy and I love the traditional Broadway sound, so musicals like TALE OF TWO CITIES, DRACULA, SPIDER-MAN, LOVE STORY, WOMEN IN THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN, WONDERLAND, MATILDA and GHOST, among others, were too pop or rock for me. So, here is my quick opinion on the ones that I bought:

BABY IT’S YOU! – Jukebox musicals being what they are, this one really works thanks to an accomplished cast and entertaining orchestrations;

BETTY BLUE EYES – I expected much more from this new British musical, but the team of George Stiles & Anthony Drewe came up with a boring score, with only a couple of interesting songs;

THE BOOK OF MORMON – Last Broadway season big hit is an enjoyable score, although I don’t like the more “modern” numbers. The cast is terrific and it has one of the best new songs written for a musical – “Turn It Off”;

CATCH ME IF YOU CAN – Written by Marc Shaiman in the style of the “Rat Pack”, it has a good cast and a few enjoyable numbers, among them "Jet Set" and "Butter Outta Cream";

DEATH TAKES A HOLIDAY – I confess I’m not a big fan of Maury Yeston’s work and this new musical didn’t change my mind. Anyway, it’s a melodious but monotonous score, with a highlight – “Shimmy Like They Do In Paree”, sung with gusto by Mara Davi;

ELF – A perfect Christmas present, this score by Matthew Skalar & Chad Beguelin has its heart on the right place, with plenty of tuneful songs for us to hum;

LEND ME A TENOR – This new British musical by Brad Carroll & Peter Sham is an enjoyable surprise, with catchy songs and a cast having a great time. It reminds me of THE DROWSY CHAPERONE. I love the title song and “Fling”.

As usual, there were a few revival cast recordings, plus the always welcome studio recordings. Of these, I bought the following ones:

ANYTHING GOES – Cole Porte’s most famous musical in a wonderful new recording, livelier than the previous ones and with a shining Sutton Foster. Highly recommended!

FOLLIES – I didn’t buy this one, but I listened to it. Stephen Sondheim’s score is one of the best written for a Musical and here it sounds brilliant, but it isn’t better than the previous recordings and it doesn’t bring anything new to it. Even so, it’s one of best CDs of the year;

HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING – Daniel Radcliffe leads the terrific cast of this new rendition of Frank Loesser’s fabulous score. With contagious new orchestrations and more music than usual, it’s a must;

KNICKERBOKER HOLIDAY – Kurt Weill isn’t among my favorite composers and not even the star cast of this recording changed my mind. Everyone sings their roles beautifully, but the music doesn’t touch my heart and soul;

STRIKE UP THE BAND - We had to wait 20 years for this studio cast recording and the wait was worthy. A remarkable cast gives life to a great score by George & Ira Gershwin. This is the kind of CD that should be in every Musical fan’s library;

SWEET BYE AND BYE – Written in 1946 by Vernon Duke & Ogden Nash, this is a kind of sci-fi musical with fine songs and an excellent cast. It belongs on every Musical fan’s library.

So, this was 2011. I don’t know what 2012 will bring us, but I heard that CDs may be completely replaced by digital downloads and I don’t like it. Regarding future releases, I’m always hoping that someone will release John McGlinn’s Jerome Kern studio recordings and I’m sure Broadway’s new season will give us something to listen to.

In preference order here they are:

THE TOP EIGHT

Cast Recordings and Related CDs of 2011

STRIKE UP THE BAND (2011 Studio Cast)

ANYTHING GOES (2011 Broadway Cast)

HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING (2011 Broadway Cast)

FOLLIES (2011 Broadway Cast)

SWEET BYE AND BYE (2011 Studio Cast)

ELF (2010 Broadway Cast)

LEND ME A TENOR (2011 London Cast)

THE BOOK OF MORMON (2011 Broadway Cast)
 

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