Carousel (1956 Film Soundtrack)

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Music reviews of Carousel (1956 Film Soundtrack)

Music Review: New expanded soundtrack version proves exceptional treat
Rating: 5 Stars

A bit of history- the original 1956 LP release was unusual in that it had no "bands" (the usual practice is to separate recorded material into bands by clear vinyl in order to locate particular numbers). Both sides contained only one band stretching from rim to label. This allowed it to contain more musical information. Compare its 50:53 minutes to OKLAHOMA!'s 41:37, the latter banded. Also it was the first year of the LP not having to also provide 78/45 rpm packages as well, so that the times for a selection were expanded beyond those brief sides' restrictions.

Four years later, these tracks were re-mixed for a stereo LP release which did contain bands, resulting in the first half of the CAROUSEL WALTZ being deleted and WHEN THE CHILDREN ARE ASLEEP being moved from its correct order in the film to the spot it occupied in the original show (both disconcerting).

When it finally made it onto CD, we had the correct order again and the entire CAROUSEL WALTZ in stereo for the first time.

Note: Different takes between the mono and the stereo LP in the following instances: a. IF I LOVED YOU - "And I always say two heads are better than one to figger it out." ; b. JUNE "Fresh and alive and gay and young, June is a love song sweetly sung." ; SOLILOQUY "Say, why am I takin on like this?"

Astute ears will also note that the JUNE interchange - "Love has found my brother, Junior - And my sister's even loonier - And my ma is gettin kittenish with Pap" is sung by entirely different voices in the film proper than on the commercially released "soundtrack material" on Capitol/Angel.

Now down to the additions. There are four new pieces of musical information and an augmentation to one number. The "Introduction" contains the spangly heaven music under the dialogue between Billy and the Heavenly Friend, seguing into the Main Title -this lifted directly from a print of the film. The dance music to JUNE is spliced into the commercially released recording, cutting the recording studio ending after the drum roll that was added on to the piece (both OKLAHOMA! and CAROUSEL numbers were tailored for the LP by adding orchestral introductions and endings to "tie them up" rather than lifting the pieces as heard in the film for the then popular "easy listening" approach.) YOU'LL NEVER WALK ALONE is lifted from the film once more rather than using the commerical recording, adding in Nettie's opening dialogue and Julie's tearful attempt to sing the song before Nettie takes over. The greatest gem in the package is the complete LOUISE'S BALLET - one of Alfred Newman's supreme achievements in orchestrating and arranging. The small piece of dialogue at the beginning "My father bought me my new dress......Your father was a thief" has been edited out but the concluding dialogue "Shame on you....I hate all of you" has been left in. Newman's gorgeous rendition of the complete CAROUSEL WALTZ - the best ever recorded - as it appeared on the LP concludes the set.

The sound is sumptuously improved and the stereo separation is superb. This is the finest package this material has ever seen. An extensive booklet is enclosed as well.

Interesting to hear that both Jane Powell and Jean Simmons were considered for the part (the latter dubbed would have been a sensational dramatic choice) but they neglect to mention Judy Garland who was almost signed to sing with Sinatra.

A photo of the cut BLOW HIGH BLOW LOW scene shows a very obvious motor boat in the background. Wonder if this anachronism helped decide to jettison the scene. In the dialogue between Billy and Jigger planning the robbery, there is also extensive soundbleed from large outboard motors in the film proper.

All those who love this film - RUN to buy this expanded CD version.

Description of Carousel (1956 Film Soundtrack)

Broadway & Vocalists CDs

• Music > Styles
• Pop
• Soundtracks