In 1932 with 42nd Street and its pricelessly kitsch, kaleidoscopic dance routines, Busby Berkeley reinvented a genre that following the advent of sound had grown stale all too quickly. But as dazzling as these sequences are on screen, much of their lasting appeal lies in the captivating songs that inspired them. Though neither Harry Warren or Al Dubin would become household names like Porter, Rodgers or Berlin their many standards live on as a much-loved part of our musical heritage. This exquisite two-disc set is therefore as much of a celebration of their song-writing skills as it is of Berkeley's choreography. So sit back and wallow in such impeccably melodic numbers as "I only have eyes for you", "42nd Street", "Lullaby of Broadway", "Dames", "The shadow waltz", "Shuffle off to Buffalo" and "Remember my forgotten man", many of which are presented in their extravagant entirety for the first time. Besides including several songs by other writers, most notably "Hooray for Hollywood" and "By a waterfall", this lavishly documented set is also a tribute to Warner Bros's veteran music director Ray Heindorf, whose agile, expansive arrangements skilfully maintain interest in each song throughout a succession of reprises that often last for over 10 minutes!
Disc: 1
1. Young And Healthy
2. Shuffle Off To Buffalo
3. 42nd Street
4. We're In The Money (The Gold Diggers Song)
5. I've Got To Sing A Torch Song
6. Shadow Waltz
7. Remember My Forgotten Man
8. Honeymoon Hotel
9. By A Waterfall
10. Shanghai Lil
11. Don't Say Goodnight
Disc: 2
1. Spin A Little Web Of Dreams
2. Girl At The Ironing Board
3. I Only Have Eyes For You
4. Dames
5. Words Are In My Heart
6. Lullaby Of Broadway
7. Lady In Red
8. All's Fair In Love And War
9. Hooray For Hollywood |
