THIS IS THE ARMY was a true reflection of the times. The country was in the thick of war; soldiers and Americans alike needed to be entertained and celebrated. Enter Irving Berlin writing a soldier musical, much like he did during World War 1 (Yip! Yip! Yaphank). War type novelty songs sung, arranged, conducted, directed, etc... all by soldiers. As if that wasn't good enough, all proceeds went to US war relief funds and charities. Millions and millions of dollars. All the while, Mr. Berlin (actually, Sgt. Berlin) stayed with the production. I am just blown away by the service he did for America. Can you imagine something like this today? There is no way it would ever happen. Soldiers don't write musicals, let alone act in them, any more. Yet here is Berlin at the top of his game donating his time and energy to the US, through the form of art.
The album itself is quite good. It is paired with CALL ME MISTER, which I'll get to later. This 2002 re-release has fantastic liner notes. The tunes are all so melodic, and all seemingly based on very army-like tunes. The overall feeling is very masculine. Is that possible for an old musical? This show captures it. Every section of the military gets a shout out. Army, Navy, Air Force. There's even a number for the black soldiers, something that was not often done in an all white musical. If Berlin was no longer improving on the form of musical theatre, he certainly was always celebrating it. Witty lyrics abound. Tight melodies. And who did these orchestrations? All uncredited. For me, the highlight on this recording is whenever Sgt. Berlin is singing. His voice is almost mouse like, but so funny. It makes me smile.
Grade: B+
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