Gay's the Word

Gay's the Word

(Ivor Novello/Alan Melville) (CS001)

Original London Cast with Cicely Courtneidge, Lizbeth Webb, Thorley Walters

Newly remastered with Bonus Tracks which include performances by Frank Sinatra, Denis Martin and the George Melanchrino Orchestra. This CD features for the first time original show artwork, plus show notes and story synopsis by noted British theatre historian Rexton S. Bunnett. Thrill to the glorious music of Ivor Novello, one of England’s great musical theatre composers, in this sparkling restoration of one of his most outstanding scores. Working for the first time with noted revue lyricist Alan Melville, they produced a show of enormous wit for the legendary West End star, Cicely Courtneidge. The score includes a deliciously wicked take on the theatrical profession “It’s Bound To Be Right On The Night”, a send-up of Novello’s beloved “Ruritania”, and a wry eleven-o’clock-number “Bees Are Buzzin’”. Courtneidge’s co-star was the glittering Lizbeth Weth who was dubbed the ‘champagne soprano’ following her hit performance in Vivian Ellis’ “Bless The Bride”.

The bonus tracks feature a rare recording by Frank Sinatra, one of the few major American artists to record a song from a British musical. The verses of “If Only He’d Looked My Way” and “Finder, Please Return” were not recorded by the original cast but they are on the Denis Martin versions. While no overture was recorded the George Melanchrino selection more than makes up for it.

“Once more Ivor Novello proves that he is immortal…”
Evening Standard

“The show's success chiefly owed to the many fine opportunities it gave Courtneidge to shine. Courtneidge's hearty manner is very appealing, and she obviously knows how to sell a number. No one could do more with "It's Bound to Be Right on the Night," "Vitality"; and her closing spot, the catchy "Bees Are Buzzin'."”
Ken Mandelbaum – Broadway.com

“...lost gems with lovely melodies and wit to spare.”
David Hurst, Show Business

“... a pleasing score that combines engaging ballads with lively comic songs...”
Jim Murphy, The Age

“... a delightful souvenir of a bygone age in musical theatre.”
Ken Caswell, Musical Stages

Tracks:
To hear a song sample, click on any song title below that is followed by

1. It’s Bound To Be Right On The Night/Gaiety Glad – Cicely Courtneidge and Chorus
2. Finder, Please Return – Lizbeth Webb.
3. If Only He’d Looked My Way – Cicely Courtneidge
4. Vitality – Cicely Courtneidge and Chorus
5. a) Sweet Thames – Lizbeth Webb
b) Guards On Parade/Ruritania – Cicely Courtneidge and Chorus
6. A Matter Of Minutes – Thorley Walters
7. On Such A Night As This – Lizbeth Webb
8. Bees Are Buzzin’ – Cicely Courtneidge
Musical Director: Robert Probst
Bonus Tracks:
9. If Only She’d Looked My Way – Denis Martin
10. Finder, Please Return – Denis Martin
11. If Only She’d Looked My Way – Frank Sinatra with Orchestra conducted by Axel Stordahl
12. Orchestral Selection – Part 1: Bees Are Buzzin’/If Only He’d Looked My Way/A Matter Of Minutes/Finder, Please Return – George Melanchrino Orchestra
13. Orchestral Selection – Part 2: Gaiety Glad/On Such A Night As This/Vitality/If Only He’d Looked My Way – George Melanchrino Orchestra

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