Just when it seemed as though there wouldn’t be anything more to say about Promises, Promises cast albums, Bruce Kimmel went ahead and released the long unavailable original London cast album on CD. Kimmel’s label, Kritzerland, recently made a splash with the 2 disc limited edition of the original Broadway album a couple months ago, which was so popular a second single disc edition was pressed. Sony Masterworks released a revival cast album which has been selling well. But for die hard fans, this is one of those rare cast albums that’s been long awaited. I, for one, lived with an mp3 rip of a good quality LP for the last couple of years and was one of those folks crying out for a CD. The good news is that it’s been entirely worth the wait, the bad news is the limited pressing of 1,000 CDs has sold out (they did in a flash!)
Producers didn’t waste much time in bringing Promises, Promises to London. It opened at the Prince of Wales Theatre in 1969, running a respectable 560 performances. Tony Roberts was Chuck Baxter. He does a decent job, if he’s not nearly as distinctive as Jerry Orbach. Betty Buckley and she sings the hell out of the score as Fran, easily the best sung on record. Her “Knowing When to Leave” is definitive, particularly the way she crescendos from head voice pianissimo to full out belt on the last line. Jack Kruschen, who played the doctor in The Apartment reprised his role in this production. Donna McKechnie flew to London to recreate the showstopping “Turkey Lurkey Time” for six weeks, but apparently this album was recorded after she left. (Her name is credited on the album cover, but inside the credit goes to Alix Kirsta).
Like the Kritzerland release of the OBC, the London album has also been placed in show order. It was produced similarly to the first, but offers an entirely different listening experience. The inherent idiosyncrasies make this London recording required listening. The pit singers are much clearer, especially in the overture. But the thing that really struck me, and it was probably the remix that helped me realize this, was the percussion. I have no idea who the drummer was, but his or her work really just pops on the album, especially in “Turkey Lurkey Time.”
One of my main quibbles with both the original Broadway and London albums is that “A Fact Can Be a Beautiful Thing” doesn’t have its dance break or big finish, both recordings repeat the refrain as they fade out. As a sort of consolation, Mr. Kimmel has included the song from the Italian cast album in its entirety as a bonus after the title song. Kimmel once again supplies the liner notes which covers much of the same area as the Broadway Promises, but gives a concise history of the London run.
As I said, the CD is sold out (though you may still be able to snag a copy on Footlight Records) so if you’ve missed out, I hope you’ve got a friend who’ll be nice and let you borrow their copy. You’ll definitely want to give this one a spin.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Caoimhín O'Dalaigh, Tyler Martins. Tyler Martins said: RT @kevinddaly New blog – "Promises, Promises" (again I know) the original LONDON cast album w @BettyBuckley – http://bit.ly/atVytI [...]
Actually, Donna McKechnie is on the album. If you listen you can definitely hear her, and she also lists it on her website as a recording of hers.
Garrett, thanks for pointing that out. I had a difficulty ascertaining the reasons for the billing.
I’ve been crying for this for a long time. My copy is in the mail from Footlight.
I’m listening to the wonderful Kritzerland recording right now. Thanks for alerting fans to the fact that it exists! And what a bonus to get the dance music – well played by the Italian orchestra – to A FACT CAN BE A BEAUTFIUL THING. I completely agree with your assessment of the recording. I had the old MP3 version imperfectly taken of an lp and this is a revelation. I hope Kritzerland keeps up its excellent work!
Scott, I hope so too. They’ve released a lot of previously unavailable LPs from UA (now MGM) records. I’m hoping Bruce is able to dip into the Decca and Warner Bros. catalogues (I would love “Donnybrook!” and “A Time for Singing” on CD; meanwhile I hang onto my mp3 rips, too).