Harold Arlen has always been one of my favorite composers, and this score certainly confirms it. I'm definitely going to be listening to this show more often. By no means is this a cd of perfect performances. Joan McCracken is obnoxious on her comedy songs. I feel like the speaker is nagging at me while I'm listening to her sing "T'Morra' T'Morra'".... MAKE IT STOP....
However, the other songs are so beautiful on the ears. Fantastic orchestrations by Robert Russell Bennett. Celeste Holm is quite charming, although I prefer her comedy to her legit singing. "The Eagle and Me" is a highlight. There are a couple musical passages that are just stunning- the strings in "Sunday in Cicero Falls" for example. It's also fun to hear Harold Arlen himself singing "Man For Sale".
GRADE: A-
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