Friday, October 11, 2013

MT Soundtracker: Day 11



Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1949)

New York City Center Concert Recording (2012)


Music: Jule Styne
Lyrics: Leo Robin






Synopsis: It is the 1920s. Lorelei and her friend Dorothy board a ship from the USA to France. Lorelei is certain her boyfriend, Gus Esmond, wants to break up with her so the two women get acquainted with the wealthy men on the ship. Lorelei also gains possession of a tiara which two detectives start tracking down.  


Music
I have admit that I chose this particular recording because one of my favourite Broadway actresses, Megan Hilty, sings the lead role of Lorelei Lee but the show itself is a classic too and so rather appropriate for this project. Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend is the most well-known song from this show and I was unaware for quite some time that the song originated from a musical. I found A Little Girl from Little Rock the most memorable track closely followed by Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend. The music is very jazzy and there are some great, belty female solos. This is a lovely recording to play as background music too, as on top of the vocal tracks and sections, there is a fair amount of fantastic instrumental content for the customary dance breaks. 

Productions
I suspect most people know Gentlemen Prefer Blondes from the 1954 film of the same name starring Marilyn Monroe. It did well for itself of Broadway in 1949 but did not last for very long in the West End in 1962. There have been a number of subsequent revivals, most notably a 1995 Broadway production. 

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