This is another one of those fake cast albums. Decca recorded Ethel singing 4 songs from her new Cole Porter show. They are typical Porter, and typical Merman. The little girl from the show, Joan Carroll, sings a charming duet with the leading lady. I can't help but laugh at the middle verse of the song where Merman must speak in rhythm- let's just say the acting was not of upmost concern here... But I don't mean to nitpick. 'Make It Another Old Fashioned, Please' is a great son.
The album itself is really quite amazing. The first 3/4 is Merman singing the 1950 hit she did, Call Me Madam. It seems Decca had her under contract, so when another record company secured the rights to record the OBC, they did so but without Merman. Dinah Shore (!?!?!?!) sang the lead vocals on that album with the rest of the cast. On THIS album we have Ethel singing with another orchestra and other performers. The liner notes are just incredible. I wish all recordings wend into such detail about the history of the show. Thanks Max Preeo.
Grade B (for the whole package)
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