The Wiz [Original Cast Recording]

Performer: Original Cast Recording/Original Soundtrack
Engineer: Phil Ramone
Producer: Jerry Wexler
Distributor: WEA (Distributor)

Notes: Cast includes: Stephanie Mills (Dorothy); Andre De Shields (The Wiz); Tiger Haynes, Ted Ross, Hinton Battle, Clarice Taylor, Mabel King, Tasha Thomas, Dee Dee Bridgewater. Recorded at A&R Studios, New York. Includes liner notes by William F. Brown. Personnel: Charles Coleman (vocals); Steve Blume, Jerry Friedman (guitar); Herbert Sorkin, Norman Carr, Gerald Beal, Alvin Rogers, Harry Cykman (violin); Edith Wint, Janet Hamilton, Julius Ehrenwerth (cello); Robert Carten, Frank Perowsky, David Feldman, Raymond Beckenstein (woodwinds); Richard Gene Williams , Stephen Furtado, Bob McCoy, Alan Rubin, Charles Sullivan (trumpet); Tony Miranda, Sharon Moe (French horn); Richard Harris (trombone); Jack Jeffers (bass trombone); Cheryl Hardwick, Harold Wheeler, John Tropea, Pat Rebillot (keyboards); Grady Tate (drums); David Friedman (percussion); Sam Harkness, Tasha Thomas, Frank Floyd (background vocals). Recording information: A&R Studios, New York, NY. Director: Geoffrey Holder. Illustrator: Milton Glaser. The Wiz original cast recording is a joyous, vibrant celebration of life, couched in the fantastic terms of a modernized retelling of The Wizard of Oz, with an entirely black cast. And it is fantastic in both senses -- both fantasy-based, like the children's story by L. Frank Baum that it is born from, and also superbly performed. This version far outshines the movie soundtrack (despite the movie having such big-name draws as Diana Ross and Michael Jackson). In this 1975 release, Stephanie Mills is an absolute delight as Dorothy and Andre De Shields is an engaging, rascally Wiz. The songs are stellar too; from the ominous, atmospheric instrumental "Tornado" to the gently affirming, confidence-building "Be a Lion" to the Wiz' grand I'm-outta-here finale, "Y'All Got It," this production is glorious. Listeners will feel uplifted. Very highly recommended, both for children and adults. ~ Murrday Fisher

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