I can't believe I've never seen this show, because I love a lot of the music in it. But Big River The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn has somehow escaped my viewing. The cast album has a lot to offer the imaginative listener though, as well as any fans of gospel, blues, and country music. Roger Miller's music enhances the world of the story and gives it a true American feel. Hard to believe it was his first musical score. But the good liner notes by producer Rocco Landesman tell the story of the show's creation quite well.
Like Man of La Mancha, this score has a lot of wonderful music for small ensembles, the duets between Huck and Jim at the forefront. It's so nice to hear actual harmonies being sung! And the song "Muddy Water" is quite infectious. John Goodman (in his pre-"Roseanne" days) gives a wonderful turn in a blues-song as Huck's drunk father.
While there is a good synopsis of the story including how the songs fit in, there is not a definitive track listing with performers for that song listed. Therefore, I'm not certain who sings the wonderful solo arrangement of "How Blest We Are"--maybe Patti Cohenour who portrays Mary Jane Wilkes. Also the female solo singer on "The Crossing" isn't listed. Mr. Miller should apologize to these two women, because they do his music proud.
Big River The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Music and Lyrics by Roger Miller
Book by William Hauptman
Original Broadway Cast recording
Recording in 1985 and released on MCA Records
Cast: Daniel Jenkins, Ron Richardson, John Short, John Goodman, Bob Gunton, Rene Auberjonois, Patti Cohenour
Like Man of La Mancha, this score has a lot of wonderful music for small ensembles, the duets between Huck and Jim at the forefront. It's so nice to hear actual harmonies being sung! And the song "Muddy Water" is quite infectious. John Goodman (in his pre-"Roseanne" days) gives a wonderful turn in a blues-song as Huck's drunk father.
While there is a good synopsis of the story including how the songs fit in, there is not a definitive track listing with performers for that song listed. Therefore, I'm not certain who sings the wonderful solo arrangement of "How Blest We Are"--maybe Patti Cohenour who portrays Mary Jane Wilkes. Also the female solo singer on "The Crossing" isn't listed. Mr. Miller should apologize to these two women, because they do his music proud.
Big River The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Music and Lyrics by Roger Miller
Book by William Hauptman
Original Broadway Cast recording
Recording in 1985 and released on MCA Records
Cast: Daniel Jenkins, Ron Richardson, John Short, John Goodman, Bob Gunton, Rene Auberjonois, Patti Cohenour
1 comment:
The songs "How Blest We Are" and "The Crossing" are performed by two different actresses portraying slaves. I've often belted out the wonderful "The Crossing" in the privacy of my own home and have fantasies that I actually do it well.
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