Gypsy [Original Broadway Cast] [Bonus Tracks] [Remaster]

Performer: Original Broadway Cast/Ethel Merman
Distributor: Sony Music Distribution (

Notes: Music composed by Julie Styne. Lyrics written by Stephen Sondheim. Principal cast includes: Ethel Merman (Mama Rose); Jack Klugman (Herbie); Sandra Church (Louise); Lane Bradbury (June); Paul Wallace (Tulsa); Jaqueline Mayro (Baby June); Karen Moore (Baby Louise); Faith Dane (Mazeppa); Chotzi Foley (Electra); Maria Karnilova (Tessie); Bobby Brownell, Gene Castle, Steve Curry, Billy Harris (Newsboys); Marvin Arnold, Ricky Coll, Don Emmons, Michael Parks, Ian Tucker, Paul Wallace, David Winters (Farmboys). Producer: Goddard Lieberson. Recorded on May 24, 1959. Originally released on Columbia (OL 5420). Composer: Jule Styne. Lyricist: Stephen Sondheim. Liner Note Authors: Martin Gottfried; George B. Dale; Mort Goode. GYPSY, which opened on May 21, 1959 at the Broadway Theatre in New York, remains one of the most enduring works of American musical theater, thanks largely to Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim's memorable score and the inimitable voice of Ethel Merman, all beautifully captured on the original cast recording. For Styne, GYPSY was a crowning achievement and a perfect example of his ability to suit his music for a particular singer. And while Sondheim had initially hoped to write not only the lyrics but the music as well, the task turned out to be the ultimate proving ground: his lyrics were perfectly suited both to the music and the characters. This remastered version of the original cast recording offers a few departures from its predecessor, particularly in the restoration of several edits and the occasional use of alternate takes. As explained in the liner notes, a longer production schedule (to say nothing of more advanced technology) allows for careful examination of the original masters, a luxury not afforded the original producers, who were under pressure to get the job done as quickly as possible. In addition, the reissue contains several bonus tracks not included in the original release. This tribute to burlesque was a star vehicle for Ethel Merman. The score by Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim includes the Merman standard "Everything's Coming Up Roses," and the song that is invariably used to introduce anything having to do with the strip tease, "Let Me Entertain You." A 702-performance hit in its original production (which is captured here), the show was considered the definitive Merman performance and the crowning achievement of her long career. (It marked her final appearance in a new Broadway musical, though she later appeared in revivals.) It is also considered one of the great American musicals of all time, balanced between the broad show business entertainment represented by composer Jule Styne and the modern, dark, psychological drama typical of Stephen Sondheim, who, as with his previous effort, West Side Story, was contributing only lyrics, though he would go on to write music and lyrics for a series of musicals from the 1960s on. The 1999 reissue produced by Thomas Z. Shepard reconceived the original Goddard Lieberson production, returning to the original session tapes for several fixes, extensions, and alterations to the tracks "Baby June and Her Newboys," "All I Need Is the Girl," "You Gotta Get a Gimmick," "Let Me Entertain You," and "Rose's Turn." The reissue also added four bonus tracks, among them two songs cut from the score before it reached Broadway, "Momma's Talkin' Soft" and "Nice She Ain't," as well as scratchy piano demos of "Some People" (with different lyrics) and a medley of "Mr. Goldstone" and "Little Lamb," the latter sung by Merman for the first time. ~ Marjorie Ellen Ruhlmann & William Ruhlmann

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