This is the first vinyl LP entry for the Viewfinder for the New Decade, 2020. It is appropriately numbered, 200.
On this date, over 50 years ago, the musical, Oliver!, written by British composer Lionel Bart, premiered on Broadway. David Merrick brought the show to the Broadway stage, where it premiered at the Imperial Theatre on January 6, 1963. It closed on November 14, 1964, after 774 performances.
I don't think there is a single song I DON'T like in the whole show. I have favorites, of course, I always do; in this case there are many! At the top of the list is the phenomenal song, Who Will Buy?
Who Will Buy? begins very quietly with a street vendor selling her flowers and singing her tune to attract buyers. Slowly, other vendors enter selling their wares with each singing her or his particular tune, each different from the others. It is a brilliant blending of distinctive melodies. Aside from the awesome musical feat, the lyrics (link below) are the most uplifting ever written for a musical.
I saw the original cast production when the show went on tour. I don't remember exactly when that was but I will never forget it. I vividly remember the circular revolving stage that Oliver walks on with the buildings behind him moving as he walks; it visually mimicked the action of him walking along the street; the gimmick had been used for years but I had never seen it before and it blew me away.
There was also the fantastic performance of Clive Revill as the dastardly Fagan! You could do nothing but detest him!
April 22, 1963
photographer unknown
Then there was the "Artful Dodger", portrayed by Michael Goodman, a member of a gang of juvenile pickpockets led by Fagin.
Tracklist:
Side 1:
A1 - Food, Glorious Food - 4:00
A2 - Oliver, Performer – Bruce Prochnik, Hope Jackman, Willoughby Goddard - 1:46
A3 - I Shall Scream, Performer – Hope Jackman, Willoughby Goddard - 2:49
A4 - Boy For Sale / Where Is Love?, Performer – Bruce Prochnik, Willoughby Goddard - 4:23
A5 - Consider Yourself, Performer – Bruce Prochnik, Michael Goodman - 3:47
A6 - You've Got To Pick A Pocket Or Two, Performer – Bruce Prochnik, Clive Revill - 3:13
A7 - It's A Fine Life, Performer – Alice Playten, Georgia Brown - 3:29
A8 - Be Back Soon, Performer – Bruce Prochnik, Clive Revill - 2:36
Side 2:
B1 - Oom-Pah-Pah, Performer – Georgia Brown - 2:42
B2 - My Name, Performer – Danny Sewell - 2:20
B3 - As Long As He Needs Me, Performer – Georgia Brown - 4:07
B4 - Who Will Buy?, Performer – Bruce Prochnik - 4:20
B5 - Reviewing The Situation, Performer – Clive Revill - 4:47
B6 - I'd Do Anything, Performer – Alice Playten, Bruce Prochnik, Clive Revill, Georgia Brown, Michael Goodman - 3:08
B7 - As Long As He Needs Me (Reprise) / Reviewing The Situation (Reprise) / Finale, Performer – Clive Revill, Georgia Brown - 6:00
Credits:
Directed By – Peter Coe
Music By, Lyrics By – Lionel Bart
Performer – Clive Revill, Georgia Brown
Notes:
The Original Broadway Cast Recording
Lionel Bart – Oliver!
Label: RCA Victor – LOCD-2004
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1962
Genre: Stage & Screen
Style: Musical
Viewfinder links:
YouTube links:
Styrous® ~ Monday, January 6, 2020
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