The selection of composers is a mixed bag, from giants like Jerome Kern, Irving Berlin, and Cole Porter down to studio-employed figures such as Nicholas Brodszky. And the talent cuts across from recording legends (Bing Crosby, Ethel Waters, Judy Garland, Rosemary Clooney) to figures much more lastingly associated with movies ($Kathryn Grayson, Howard Keel, Ann Blyth), and not always associated with music (Eddie "Rochester" Anderson). But the treatment is consistent and rewarding -- the producers have gone back to the best ...
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The selection of composers is a mixed bag, from giants like Jerome Kern, Irving Berlin, and Cole Porter down to studio-employed figures such as Nicholas Brodszky. And the talent cuts across from recording legends (Bing Crosby, Ethel Waters, Judy Garland, Rosemary Clooney) to figures much more lastingly associated with movies ($Kathryn Grayson, Howard Keel, Ann Blyth), and not always associated with music (Eddie "Rochester" Anderson). But the treatment is consistent and rewarding -- the producers have gone back to the best existing audio sources, and the result is audio quality that, in some instances, is superior to any film or video incarnation that one is likely to hear of this material. The richness and clarity are sufficient so that one doesn't miss the visual component on most of the material, and the fidelity on some of the songs will surprise those who only know them from broadcast, VHS, or early DVD sources -- indeed, it is surprising how well "Ain't Nature Grand" from Dangerous When Wet, which didn't feature any particularly special vocal talent (Esther Williams et al) works as an audio cue; that and "Breezin' Along with the Breeze," featuring Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, are both great tributes to the skills of arranger/orchestrator Skip Martin. And, in fact, the distillation of the music out of the film production numbers allows one to focus in on the quality of the MGM music department more directly than seeing the movies themselves would -- and that makes this CD an essential acquisition for serious music listeners. ~ Bruce Eder, Rovi
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