I grew up surrounded by songs from the musicals. I didn’t want to be. I loved pop music, the sort they played on Radio Luxembourg. Songs that you listened to on that transistor radio tucked under your pillow at night. On Sundays the extended family would all get together. If the weather was fine then the younger generation would escape outdoors somewhere. Otherwise we were trapped inside with the adults. It wasn’t so bad when music was being played on the gramophone. Unfortunately these were the days when parlours had a piano, and in each family there was at least someone who could play. Not only did we have a pianist but we had one with a particular skill. He couldn’t read music but he only had to hear a song once. He could then play it perfectly. You name a musical and he could play every song from it. “Oklahoma” was a favourite and we were all expected to sing along enthusiastically. I used to dread it raining on a Sunday.
In the late 60s my friends and I used to share birthday treats. I think we must have been 11, and for our treat we asked to go to London to see a musical. Family were delighted at my conversion and permission willingly given. Four excited girls were taken to the West End escorted by one of the Mums. We sat near the front clutching our binoculars very eager to see our chosen musical. “Hair”. If you don’t know the musical let’s just say we were never allowed to choose our treats again. Excellent soundtrack, I still have the vinyl in the attic.
As I grew up all of a sudden I discovered I did like this music. Once I left school I went back to the West End several times. My favourite production was ”South Pacific”. There were two particular songs I loved. “Some Enchanted Evening” and “This Nearly Was Mine”. I went to see Howard Keel in concert. He had a wonderful voice and I clapped enthusiastically when he did the songs from “Calamity Jane”.
I was in HMV in Oxford Street one day with a friend and I decided to buy the soundtrack from “South Pacific”. A dilemma. Two versions to pick from. 1949 Broadway stage production or 1958 Film Soundtrack. I opted for the first one. My companion was a film enthusiast. He told me it was a wise choice. He hated all that dubbing. I didn’t know what he was talking about. He explained that in those days many actors and actresses couldn’t sing so their voices were dubbed by a singer. Hence on the Film Soundtrack Mitzi Gaynor is singing but you are not hearing the voice of Rossano Brazzi who starred in the film. I didn’t get this and I still don’t. Why not just cast someone who can act and sing?
I had selected the version with Mary Martin and Ezio Pinza purely because I recognized the CD cover. Same picture as the one on the 78 record I remembered as a child. The one we listened to on that gramophone, you know like the one beside the dog on the HMV logo. I would give anything to have that particular 78 record back. Sadly it was thrown out ages ago. Along with the rest of an enormous collection of 78s. And the gramophone. In perfect working order.
I’ve always loved music but not known much about it. Still don’t. I try to learn as I go along. Discoveries are made daily. Unfortunately I made the discovery over the monetary value of certain vintage items after I helped the family with a house clearance. That one where I helped throw the 1949 Broadway version of “South Pacific” into a skip.
