Immerse yourself in the timeless magic of Jerome Kern's "Show Boat," a monumental work that has captivated audiences for generations. Released on January 1, 1988, under the Warner Classics label, this album is a comprehensive collection of the iconic musical, spanning an impressive three hours and twenty-two minutes. Kern, a pioneer of American musical theater, masterfully blends poignant storytelling with unforgettable melodies, creating a rich tapestry of sound that is as relevant today as it was upon its original debut.
"Show Boat" is a journey through the lives of the colorful characters aboard a Mississippi riverboat, their stories woven together with themes of love, loss, and resilience. The album features a stunning array of songs, from the hauntingly beautiful "Ol' Man River" to the lively and energetic "In Dahomey." Each track is a testament to Kern's genius, showcasing his ability to evoke deep emotion and vivid imagery through music.
The album is divided into acts and scenes, mirroring the structure of the original stage production. This allows listeners to experience the narrative flow of the musical, complete with overtures, dance numbers, and dramatic interludes. Highlights include the romantic duet "You Are Love," the playful "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man," and the poignant "Bill," with lyrics by the renowned P.G. Wodehouse and Oscar Hammerstein II.
In addition to the main acts, the album includes an appendix of additional scenes and songs, offering a deeper dive into the world of "Show Boat." These tracks provide further insight into the characters and their journeys, enriching the overall listening experience.
Jerome Kern's "Show Boat" is not just a collection of songs; it is a masterpiece of American musical theater. This album is a must-listen for fans of classic musicals, offering a chance to experience the full breadth of Kern's extraordinary talent. Whether you are a longtime admirer or a newcomer to his work, "Show Boat" is sure to leave a lasting impression.
Kern: Show Boat, Act 1: No. 1, OvertureJerome Kern, London Sinfonietta, John McGlinn
Show Boat, ACT 1, Scene 1: 'Niggers all work...' to 'So let dat whistle blow!'Jerome Kern, Karla Burns/Ambrosian Chorus/London Sinfonietta/John McGlinn, John McGlinn, London Sinfonietta
Show Boat, ACT 1, Scene 1: 'Andy!!! Drat that man...' to '...and the Lord knows when he will be'Jerome Kern, Nancy Kulp/Ambrosian Chorus/London Sinfonietta/John McGlinn, John McGlinn, London Sinfonietta
Show Boat, ACT 1, Scene 1: 'Here comes the Show Boat parade!' to ' ...Bring the children, come one, come all!'Jerome Kern, Robert Nichols/Nancy Kulp/Ambrosian Chorus/London Sinfonietta/John McGlinn, John McGlinn, London Sinfonietta
Show Boat, ACT 1, Scene 1: 'Hey, Julie! That's a hell of a thing to do...' to '...Jest one big happy family - bah!!!'Jerome Kern, Teresa Stratas/Paige O'Hara/Robert Nichols/Nancy Kulp/Ambrosian Chorus/London Sinfonietta/John McGlinn, John McGlinn, London Sinfonietta
Show Boat, ACT 1, Scene 1: 'It's a man...' to 'Optimist...'Jerome Kern, Jerry Hadley/Paige O'Hara/Ambrosian Chorus/London Sinfonietta/John McGlinn, John McGlinn, London Sinfonietta
Show Boat, ACT 1, Scene 1: 'Who cares if my boat goes upstream' to 'Yes - but let's just suppose that we've fallen in love at first sight'Jerome Kern, Frederica von Stade, John McGlinn, London Sinfonietta
Show Boat, ACT 1, Scene 1: 'Only make believe I love you' to 'I hope I'll see you again - in a little while'Jerome Kern, Frederica von Stade, John McGlinn, London Sinfonietta
Show Boat, Act I, Scene 1: Ol' Man RiverJerome Kern, Bruce Hubbard/Ambrosian Chorus/London Sinfonietta/John McGlinn, John McGlinn, London Sinfonietta
Show Boat, Act I, Scene 2: Can't help lovin' dat manJerome Kern, Frederica von Stade, John McGlinn, London Sinfonietta
Show Boat, ACT 1, Scene 3: Life on the Wicked StageJerome Kern, Paige O'Hara/Ambrosian Chorus/London Sinfonietta/John McGlinn, John McGlinn, London Sinfonietta
Show Boat, ACT 1, Scene 3: Till good luck comes my wayJerome Kern, Jerry Hadley/Ambrosian Chorus/London Sinfonietta/John McGlinn, John McGlinn, London Sinfonietta
Show Boat, ACT 1, Scene 4: Mis'ry's comin' aroun'Jerome Kern, Frederica von Stade, John McGlinn, London Sinfonietta
Show Boat, ACT 1, Scene 4: 'Take her up, Rubberface!' to '...if you keep singing like that'Jerome Kern, Frederica von Stade, John McGlinn, London Sinfonietta
Show Boat, ACT 1, Scene 4: 'Hello, Windy...' to ' ...that don't sit so easy as a boat'Jerome Kern, Frederica von Stade, John McGlinn, London Sinfonietta
Show Boat, ACT 1, Scene 4: 'You needn't all look at us..' to 'Hey mister ... Will you come up here'Jerome Kern, Frederica von Stade, John McGlinn, London Sinfonietta
Show Boat, ACT 1, Scene 4: 'Looks like a swell...' to 'He jes' keeps rollin' along!'Jerome Kern, Frederica von Stade, John McGlinn, London Sinfonietta
Show Boat, ACT 1, Scene 5: I would like to play a lover's partJerome Kern, David Garrison/Paige O'Hara/Ambrosian Chorus/London Sinfonietta/John McGlinn, John McGlinn, London Sinfonietta
Show Boat, ACT 1, Scene 5: I might fall back on youJerome Kern, David Garrison/Paige O'Hara/Ambrosian Chorus/London Sinfonietta/John McGlinn, John McGlinn, London Sinfonietta
Show Boat, ACT 1, Scene 5: Queenie's BallyhooJerome Kern, Karla Burns/Robert Nichols/Ambrosian Chorus/London Sinfonietta/John McGlinn, John McGlinn, London Sinfonietta
Show Boat, ACT 1, Scene 6: Villain DanceJerome Kern, London Sinfonietta, John McGlinn
Show Boat, ACT 1, Scene 7: You are loveJerome Kern, Frederica von Stade, John McGlinn, London Sinfonietta
Show Boat, ACT 1, Scene 8: Oh tell me, did you ever! (Finale)Jerome Kern, Frederica von Stade, John McGlinn, London Sinfonietta
Show Boat, ACT 2, Scene 1: At the fairJerome Kern, Ambrosian Chorus/London Sinfonietta/John McGlinn, John McGlinn, London Sinfonietta
Show Boat, ACT 2, Scene 1: Why do I love you?Jerome Kern, Frederica von Stade, John McGlinn, London Sinfonietta
Show Boat, ACT 2, Scene 1: In DahomeyJerome Kern, Ambrosian Chorus/London Sinfonietta/John McGlinn, John McGlinn, London Sinfonietta
Show Boat, ACT 2, Scene 3: Convent SceneJerome Kern, Jerry Hadley/Ambrosian Chorus/London Sinfonietta/John McGlinn, John McGlinn, London Sinfonietta
Show Boat, ACT 2, Scene 4: 'All right, Jake - Call 'em at twelve' to 'I'm ready Jake, whenever you are.'Jerome Kern, Teresa Stratas/Ambrosian Chorus/London Sinfonietta/John McGlinn, John McGlinn, London Sinfonietta
Show Boat, ACT 2, Scene 4: Bill (lyrics P. G. Wodehouse (1918), rev. Oscar Hammerstein II (1927))Jerome Kern, Teresa Stratas/London Sinfonietta/John McGlinn, John McGlinn, London Sinfonietta
Show Boat, ACT 2, Scene 4: Magnolia's AuditionJerome Kern, Frederica von Stade, John McGlinn, London Sinfonietta
Show Boat, ACT 2, Scene 4: 'Whaddaya say, boss? ...' to 'Sure! Great!'Jerome Kern, Frederica von Stade, John McGlinn, London Sinfonietta
Show Boat, ACT 2, Scene 6: Trocadero Opening ChorusJerome Kern, Ambrosian Chorus/London Sinfonietta/John McGlinn, John McGlinn, London Sinfonietta
Show Boat, ACT 2, Scene 6: Apache DanceJerome Kern, London Sinfonietta, John McGlinn
Show Boat, ACT 2, Scene 6: Goodbye, my lady love (Words and Music by Joseph E. Howard)Jerome Kern, David Garrison/Paige O'Hara/London Sinfonietta/John McGlinn, John McGlinn, London Sinfonietta
Show Boat, ACT 2, Scene 6: After the ball (Words and music by Charles K. Harris)Jerome Kern, Frederica von Stade, John McGlinn, London Sinfonietta
Kern: Show Boat, Act 2: "Ol' Man River"Jerome Kern, John McGlinn, London Sinfonietta
Show Boat, ACT 2, Scene 7: Hey, fellerJerome Kern, Karla Burns/Ambrosian Chorus/London Sinfonietta/John McGlinn, John McGlinn, London Sinfonietta
Show Boat, ACT 2, Scene 8: You are Love (Reprise)Jerome Kern, Jerry Hadley/London Sinfonietta/John McGlinn, John McGlinn, London Sinfonietta
Show Boat, ACT 2, Scene 9: Opening Final SceneJerome Kern, Ambrosian Chorus/London Sinfonietta/John McGlinn, John McGlinn, London Sinfonietta
Show Boat, ACT 2, Scene 9: It's getting hotter in the northJerome Kern, Ambrosian Chorus/London Sinfonietta/John McGlinn, John McGlinn, London Sinfonietta
Show Boat, ACT 2, Scene 9: 'Say, Capt. Andy, sorry we couldn't stay..' to '... Those movin' pitcher people are wonderful!'Jerome Kern, David Garrison/Paige O'Hara/Robert Nichols/London Sinfonietta/John McGlinn, John McGlinn, London Sinfonietta
Show Boat, ACT 2, Scene 9: Finale UltimoJerome Kern, Frederica von Stade/Jerry Hadley/Bruce Hubbard/Robert Nichols/Lillian Gish/Ambrosian Chorus/London Sinfonietta/John McGlinn, John McGlinn, London Sinfonietta
Show Boat, Appendix: What cher doin' all by yourself, Miss Nola (Pantry Scene)Jerome Kern, Frederica von Stade, John McGlinn, London Sinfonietta
Show Boat, Appendix: Number four, black! (Waterfront Saloon Scene)Jerome Kern, Jerry Hadley/Ambrosian Chorus/London Sinfonietta/John McGlinn, John McGlinn, London Sinfonietta
Show Boat, Appendix: Yes! Ma'amJerome Kern, Paige O'Hara/Ambrosian Chorus/London Sinfonietta/John McGlinn, John McGlinn, London Sinfonietta
Show Boat, Appendix: Why do I love you? (Kim's Imitations)Jerome Kern, Ambrosian Chorus/London Sinfonietta/John McGlinn, John McGlinn, London Sinfonietta
Show Boat, Appendix: Dance away the night.Jerome Kern, Ambrosian Chorus/London Sinfonietta/John McGlinn, John McGlinn, London Sinfonietta
Show Boat, Appendix: One night as I sat by my fireside so weary (A Pack of Cards)Jerome Kern, Frederica von Stade, John McGlinn, London Sinfonietta
Show Boat, Appendix: The Creole Love SongJerome Kern, Frederica von Stade, John McGlinn, London Sinfonietta
Show Boat, Appendix: There was a sun sinking (Out there in an orchard)Jerome Kern, Teresa Stratas/London Sinfonietta/John McGlinn, John McGlinn, London Sinfonietta
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