Release Date: 23 February 2018
Label: Stage Door
Packaging Type: Slip Sleeve (CD or Vinyl)
No of Units: 1
Barcode: 5055122154402
Genres: Soundtracks Musical
Description
'The Body in the Seine' is regarded as the "holy grail" of cast recordings due to its immense rarity and high collectability. It now makes its debut on CD.
The recording is perhaps also the first known example of a musical theatre "concept album", released in 1954 the recording is a pioneering example of the format, released twenty years before the musical concept album became fashionable with the likes of 'Jesus Christ Superstar' and 'Evita'.
'The Body in the Seine' featured music and lyrics by David M. Lippincott who at the time of the album's release in 1954 was working as a jingle writer (writing themes for Coca Cola, Fig Newton and other products) at the Mc-Cann-Erickson New York advertising agency. The album's release was hoped to attract a book writer to adapt the song selection into a story ready for the Broadway stage. In fact, the reverse of the LP even featured a "Help Wanted" ad to highlight their search.
In order to present the score in the best way possible, Lippincott and producers Sam Vitt and D.A. Brown recruited the prestigious musical director Buster Davis (whose Broadway credits included 'High Button Shoes', 'Make A Wish', 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes' and 'Hazel Flagg') to conduct the orchestra and cast the album. To assemble the vocalists for the recording, Davis drew on many Broadway performers he'd previously collaborated with including Alice Pearce, Laurel Shelby, George S. Irving amongst others. The album is also notable for featuring future US congressman Jim Symington who performs the musical's title song.
'The Body In The Seine' forms part of Stage Door's Collector's Series, a line of limited edition CD products presented in the retro style of a miniature long-playing record. All Collector's Series titles are limited to 500 units.
Tracklisting
Original Broadway Cast
The Nolans
Original Studio Cast Recording
1967 London Studio Cast Recording
Original London Cast & George Formby
Petula Clark
Original London Cast / Original South African Cast
Various Artists
Original Cast Recording
Original Cast Recording
Original Cast Recording
Original Cast Recording
Original Cast Recording
Original Cast Recording
Original Cast Recording
Original Cast Recording
