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Sony BMG Masterworks Broadway

Probably the one of the most visible, and notable, releases of 2008 has been Stephen Sondheim: The Story So Far…, the deluxe four-disc set that is a compendium of the composer-lyricist's work from his earliest songs to his most recent offerings. "Story" certainly will be welcome by anyone who loves theater. For a full review of this set, click to the following link.

The other releases from this label during the past year will also be terrific presents. I've actually already given copies of the Grammy-nominated new cast recording of South Pacific to family members for their birthdays. I find that Tony Award winner Paulo Szot's vocals are particularly appealing and Lorette Abeles Sayre's interpretation of Bloody Mary, so marvelous onstage, comes through beautifully on disc. Of course, it's hard not to fall for Robert Russell Bennett's original orchestrations which are brought to life sparklingly by the full orchestra led by Ted Sperling. A quick note on "Pacific:" there are two different releases of the disc, one general and one exclusively from Barnes & Noble. With the latter release, Sony included some six additional bonus tracks.

Now 2008 saw the label enter into two impressive collaborations. With Playbill records, Sony BMG Masterworks released Quintessence, a new disc from Betty Buckley and her long-time collaborator Kenny Werner. Together, they offer up 14 songs culled from both the musical theater and pop worlds, distilling the tunes' emotional essences in provocative, surprising and thoroughly satisfying ways. The disc opens with "So Many Stars," by Sergio Mendes and Alan and Marilyn Bergman, which Buckley delivers with an ethereal urgency. As an indication of how diverse "Quintessence" is, this number is followed by a jazzy, seductive take on "The Surrey With the Fringe on the Top" (from Oklahoma!). Other standouts on the disc is "Anyone Can Whistle," Buckley begins with an almost matter-of-fact delivery that becomes self-mocking before transforming into something more bittersweet and melancholy. Werner's jagged, dissonant arrangements for this familiar song beautifully reflect the mental agita implicit in the song.

The other collaboration from Sony BMG Masterworks involves ArkivMusic, which has been bringing classical recordings in specially burned CDs to listeners for years now. Together the two companies have brought out ten recordings of Jerry Herman shows, ensuring that they remain in circulation for years to come. Some of the Herman titles from Arkiv will be already be on people's CD racks: the original cast recording of "Hello, Dolly!, for instance, but Arkiv has made sure that even its releases of such mainstream work are unique. The "Dolly" disc includes all of the material from the deluxe edition that was released a few years back and several new tracks that are of conversation with Carol Channing about the show.

Other releases are ones that have proven elusive because they've been out of print: The Grand Tour and Milk and Honey (see DRG Records as well); just having both of these shows readily available is enough. They don't require "bonus" material. With other shows, you'll find that Arkiv has found some truly unique material. La Cage Aux Follesstance, features a bonus track of Jerry Herman singing "I Am What I Am. On Dear World, which may be Herman's most underrated score, the bonus track is of Herman singing "And I Was Beautiful" – a song not used in the show.

Most notable in this set of releases from ArkivMusic (which also include the OCR of Mame and an orchestral disc featuring the RCA Victor Symphony Orchestra) is the Original London Cast recording of "Dolly!" – which previously has not been available on CD. ArkivMusic's release sounds terrific and Martin's interpretation is a true joy. Martin brings a true Texan hucksterism to the role which is smile-inducing throughout. Martin's winsome performance is certainly enough to warrant picking this disc up or gifiting, but there are other reasons for it to be on a list this holiday season. Alternate lyrics abound – most notably the final verse of "I Put My Hand In." Alongside Martin is Loring Smith, who delivers a wonderful sensitive portrayal of Horace Vandergelder and Marilynn Lovell sounds terrific when singing "Ribbons Down My Back."

For this "Dolly" release, the label has used the liner notes from the original LP. In all other instances, the fully-featured booklets accompanying the CDs feature the notes from the original compact disc releases. The London "Dolly!" certainly will be a welcome gift this holiday season, so would any of these other discs, but if you had to pick, order the OLC 'Dolly" now.

Also keep your eye on both labels come 2009. I've been told that when the new studio cast recording of Allegro is released in February, ArkivMusic will be releasing two other R&H shows - Carousel and Oklahoma! - both with special bonus material.

---- Andy Propst