Audio CD review:
George Gershwin, Cy Walter, Lehman Engel, Allen Case, Barbara Ruick, George Gershwin, Jack Cassidy, Mary Martin, Roger White, Ira Gershwin - Oh, Kay! (1955 Studio Cast)

George Gershwin, Cy Walter, Lehman Engel, Allen Case, Barbara Ruick, George Gershwin, Jack Cassidy, Mary Martin, Roger White, Ira Gershwin - Oh, Kay! (1955 Studio Cast)

Band: George Gershwin, Cy Walter, Lehman Engel, Allen Case, Barbara Ruick, George Gershwin, Jack Cassidy, Mary Martin, Roger White, Ira Gershwin Title: Oh, Kay! (1955 Studio Cast) Rating: Release Date: 10 November, 1998 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: Act I: Overture 2: The Woman's Touch 3: Don't Ask 4: Dear Little Girl 5: Maybe A 6: Clap Yo' Hands 7: Do, Do, Do 8: Bride And Groom 9: Someone To Watch Over Me 10: Fidgety Feet 11: Heaven On Earth 12: Oh, Kay! 13: Finale 14: Maybe (Bonus Track) 15: Someone To Watch Over Me (Bonus Track) 16: Clap Yo' Hands (Bonus Tracks)

Customer Reviews First rate, top drawer! It sounded too sentimental on the first hearing, but now only Do, Do, Do seems excessive. This production continues to grow on me. Having never seen the musical production, my guess is it fits into the story very well. The duo pianists (Cy Walter & Bernie Leighton) and the arrangements written for them (and/or improvised by them) are very creative and delightful. The other musicians are all first rate. Who is the musical arranger for this production? That person deserves top billing, after the Gershwins! I looked all over the CD for any mention of the arranger, but alas, it's nowhere to found. It's rare to find someone who has the imagination to cleverly and beautifully adorn a Gershwin score. . . well here it is, with performing artists to match. I should add that the two piano arrangements with George Gershwin himself playing are an amazement. The incredibly energetic and creative playing by Gershwin completely overwhelms me, so that I hardly notice the poor audio quality of those 1926 recordings. His sense of rhythm, melody, and harmony simply jumps! Here is something a musician can really learn from, and all Gershwin fans can delight in. . stunning studio recording of a long-lost show... The golden-voiced Barbara Ruick heads this recording. OH, KAY!, a musical rarity from the 1920's, is given a beautiful treatment here in a studio recording made in 1957 that captures the feel and excitement of those heady days. Ms Ruick played the role of Carrie Pipperidge in the 1956 film version of CAROUSEL (soundtrack on Broadway Angel). She gives a delightful performance here; her voice well-suited to the melodious songs of George and Ira Gershwin. Jack Cassidy gives a splendid reading of "Dear Little Girl" and "Heaven On Earth"; while Ruick gives a thrilling rendition of the quintessential flapper tune "Do, Do, Do". With game support from Allen Case and Roger White, this recording of OH, KAY! is a must for all musical fans. Oh Kay: Superb As distinct from some other versions of the 1920's Gershwin musicals they do not make it out to be camp, or burlesque the 20's style in any way, They treat the material seriously, and the result is a joy to the ear. This cast does a wonderfully with this most tuneful of the Gershwin musicals. Cassidy and Cassidy's duets are simply beautiful music. This is the most 1920's of the Gershwin musicals. Anyone who enjoys the genre will be thrilled by this CD. There is not a single non-tuneful moment in the entire hour. Tunes few have heard of today are all Gershwin-melodic, and wonderfully presented here. The sound quality is excellent as well. You actually hear every syllable of Ira's clever lyrics. But it's George's wonderful tunes that delight throughout. Hard to see how it could be improved upon. . You can see a complete list of all George Gershwin, Cy Walter, Lehman Engel, Allen Case, Barbara Ruick, George Gershwin, Jack Cassidy, Mary Martin, Roger White, Ira Gershwin discography, or go back to the George Gershwin, Cy Walter, Lehman Engel, Allen Case, Barbara Ruick, George Gershwin, Jack Cassidy, Mary Martin, Roger White, Ira Gershwin tabs