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Title: A great recording of a classic
Review: Some might say that Show Boat, with music by Jerome Kern and Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein & P.G. Wodehouse, started the birth of musical theatre. I wholeheartedly agree with the above statement. Showboat is a classic in its own right.Stellar performances are given on this CD by William Warfield, John Raitt, and Barbara Cook, who play Joe, Gaylord Ravenal, and Magnolia respectively. Classic songs such as Ol' Man River, Bill, and Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man are sung beautifully. You can hear William Warfield's pain as he sings Ol' Man River.On some studio cast recordings you may find that since the cast does not perform on stage together, they do not have a sense of closeness and in turn do not give heartfelt performances. This is the case with this CD. While all of the songs are great you are just missing something. I can't put my finger on it but it just lacks gusto in some parts. That is why it only gets 4 stars.
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