“A Penny in My Pocket” as heard on Broadway First Take Vol. 1
music/lyric Jerry Herman
performance Bernie Knee (thanks for the info Jo!)
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This is the original Act I closer—to have been sung by Horace—of what was then known as Dolly: A Damned Exhasperating Woman. The recording is one of the demos recorded with studio singers composers in that day would send out to try to get pop artists turn showtunes into hits. (Louis Armstrong had such a hit with “Hello, Dolly!” while the show was out of town that Merrick decided the change the name of the show.)
“Before the Parade Passes By” was a good move. Maybe one of the best moves in Broadway history. Up there with “Comedy Tonight”.
“Before the Parade Passes By” from Hello, Dolly! (1978 Broadway Revival)
music/lyric Jerry Herman
performance Carol Channing and Company
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The sound quality on this bootleg is astounding (though it does cut out for a bit in hte middle) and Carol in this role is truly an event the likes of which we may never see again. Posting mainly because it includes the beautiful “oak leaf” monologue (good job, Michael Stewart/Thorton Wilder) at the top.
World, beware: it’s possible this woman is a substance that should be legally controlled.
“
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Vincent Canby on Carol Channing in the 1995 revival of HELLO, DOLLY!
50 plays
“Love Look in My Window” from Hello, Dolly! (Final Performance, 27-Dec 1970)
written by Jerry Herman
performed by Ethel Merman
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When The Merm went into Hello, Dolly! to close the run of the original Broadway production, they put in this ballad for her. It immediatey proceeds “Before the Parade Passes By”. The song essentially surrounds the “oak leaf monologue”—and Merman’s performance of that sweet speech is one of the chief reasons I’m posting this! Such a tenderness and sensitivty not typically associated with The Merm.
I also imagine the conversation leading to adding this number going something like this:
Merman - Come on boys, don’t you have anything else for me to sing in this show?
Merrick/Gower Champion/Jerry Herman - well we have this song “Love, Look in My Window”, but…
Merman - But What?
M/GC/JH - Well, it’s a big song. And it’s right before “Before the Parade Passes By”
Merman - So?
M/GC/JH - Then it’s just 2 big numbers in a row with Dolly coming to the same realization.
Merman - 2 big numbers in a row? Now you fellas are talking my language.
I love the way Mary swings “Get out your feathers / Your patents leathers / Your beads and buckles and bows”
I like the refined, deliberate, delivery of Jack Crowder’s Cornelius.
and Pearl OWNS the “Ermegarde, stop sniveling, don’t cry on the valises…” section.
but why is the percussion buried so far in the back?
I do love Charles Nelson Reilly on this recording. And there’s something so wonderfully raucous about the ensemble.
52 plays
“Put on Your Sunday Clothes” from HELLO, DOLLY! (30th Anniversary Cast Recording)
words and music by Jerry Herman
Performed by Michael DeVries, Carol Channing and Company.
The last minute of this is so exciting I could just about die!
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I had never listened to this recording until today. I’m a huge fan of the OBCR, and familiar, fond of Bailey’s and Martin’s respective recordings, and just didn’t see the necessity of a recording with a 197 year old Channing.
Color me stupid. Whatever demerits Channing’s AARP status may bring (which are few) are outweighed by how GLORIOUS and CLEAR this recording is! Listen to that orchestra! And it sounds like a cast of thousands! And hellooooooo Michael DeVries.
