Editorial Reviews

Few Broadway musicals have proven as timeless as Hello, Dolly! (1964). On this 2003 Deluxe Version, not only has the 1964 Original Cast Recording been sonically overhauled -- utilizing top-shelf digital remastering -- but also significantly augmented with six supplementary recordings and ten-minutes-worth of recollections from a 2003 interview with Carol Channing. The centerpiece is the David Merrick adaptation of Thornton Wilder's The Matchmaker (1956). When coupled with Gower Champion's impeccable direction and choreography, as well as Jerry Herman's equally memorable score, (pardoning the pun) the stage was set for an irrepressible blend of laughter and song. The ensemble are likewise superb, boasting the respective talents of Channing as Mrs. Dolly Gallagher Levi, Charles Nelson Reilly portraying Cornelius Hackl, and concurrent newcomer Eileen Brennan as Irene Molloy. After opening at the St. James Theater on January 16, 1964, Hello, Dolly immediately became an unprecedented success, ultimately running for 2, 844 performances -- the most for any Broadway musical up to that point. The soundtrack yielded similar enthusiasm, selling roughly 80,000 copies during its' first week alone. While those results would have been staggering for any release circa 1964, for an LP of a stage show the numbers were all the more impressive. In addition to the universally renown title selection, "Hello, Dolly!," the David Burns' led "It Takes a Woman," Reilly and Brennan's "It Only Takes a Moment," Channing's "I Put My Hand In" and "So Long Dearie" are a few of the other classics. Among the extras filling out this single CD are "I Put My Hand In" and "So Long Dearie" taken from the 1965 London cast, led by Mary Martin. "Before the Parade Passes By" and "Hello, Dolly!" featuring Pearl Bailey are from the 1967 revival. Plus, Ethel Merman's 1970 redux of "Love, Look in My Window" and "World, Take Me Back." The Channing interview segments contain wonderful reminiscences, nicely enhancing the substantial cache of supplements. Lindsay Planer, All Music Guide

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