Vintage Vinyl Records, Musical Theater Re-imagined

When you have a good tune, why not use it many different ways. Here are four different recordings showing four different ways record companies utilized arrangements and re-recorded versions of shows.

1. Can Can, Cole Porter’s Songs and Music From the Hit Motion Picture. 1964 Recording. Notice, they don’t claim to be the original soundtrack, and they don’t actually credit any of the performers on the record. The movie from 1960 starred Frank Sinatra and Shirley MacLaine, and Maurice Chevalier, Louis Jourdan and Juliet Prowse were in the cast. Those performers are not on this record. This was made by Coronet Records, a company that made many recordings of music from Broadway and Hollywood without giving the performers credit. The record has some visible scratches, and the cover has a split on one side, no inner sleeve.

2. “Thoroughly Modern Millie” sung by “The Oh You Kids” 1967, Mercury Wing Records. The movie Throughly Modern Millie starred Julie Andrews in a madcap roaring 20s adventure. The Oh You Kids was a four person singing group, most well known for the song “Winchester Cathedral.” The songs from the musical were arranged by Cam Mullins for this recording, but I find it fascinating that nowhere are the members of the singing group identified! Record in very good condition, no inner sleeve, cover excellent.

3. Carnival! 1961, International Award Series. Music and Lyrics by Bob Merrill. Carnival is not as well known as musicals by Rodger’s and Hammerstein and Lerner and Lowe, but the music is attractive, extremely tuneful, and it has a happy ending! In some ways it takes a story based within a carnival - like Carousel - but gives it a much happier ending. The performers on this recording are “The Sound Stage Calliope Band” under the direction of Captain Tully. These are instrumental arrangements of the songs. My stepfather apparently approved - marking it 10 - good - on the front of the cover. Record - excellent condition, no inner sleeve. Cover very good except for Ted’s marks.

4. Billy May’s Naughty Operetta! 1955, Capitol Records Operetta was a precursor genre to the American Musical. For this recording, Big Band leader Billy May updated a variety of familiar tunes from several different operettas into Big Band arrangements, and updated them rhythmically into a jazz swing style. It works very well - you can find this album on Spotify if you want to check it out, and I think you will be impressed by how well it works. Record in excellent condition, there is an inner sleeve - but it came from an RCA record - and the outer cover is very good.