Back in May 2020, in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Stage Door Records brought some much-needed sunshine with an Original Album Series volume for Broadway baritone John Raitt (1917-2005). The 2CD volume collected Raitt’s four LPs originally released between 1955 and 1960 on the Capitol and Warner Bros. labels; now, Stage Door has turned the clock back to 1947 for a first-time-on-CD expanded edition of his 1947 Decca EP Songs of the Open Road. Born in Santa Ana, California, Raitt originated the role of Billy Bigelow in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s…
Release Round-Up: Week of March 19
Welcome to this week’s Release Round-Up! Neil Young, After the Gold Rush: 50th Anniversary [Vinyl + 7″ Box] (Reprise) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada) This 50th Anniversary remastered edition of Neil Young’s classic album was released on CD in December; now the vinyl version arrives. The set includes two different recordings of the outtake “Wonderin’” on the bonus 45. The A-side was recorded in March 1970 in Topanga (previously heard on Archives Vol. 1) while the B-side is a previously unreleased performance. The box is rounded out with and…
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March Is Bustin’ Out All Over: Stage Door Collects First Volume of RCA’s “Show Time” Series of Classic Musicals
By 1953, RCA Victor already boasted a considerable number of Broadway classics in its catalogue – from original cast recordings of Brigadoon and Paint Your Wagon to studio cast renditions of South Pacific and Finian’s Rainbow. But the label was eager to build up its musical theatre repertoire and compete with the likes of Columbia and Decca. To that end, the Show Time series was launched – a collection of 16 EPs, each dedicated to four songs from a beloved musical or operetta. The EPs were also released as eight 10-inch LPs,…
So In Love: Stage Door Collects the Romantic Sounds of Broadway’s John Raitt on “Original Album Series” Set
Having celebrated the life of Alfred Drake in a 2-CD collection last year, Stage Door Records has turned its attention to another of Broadway’s greatest leading men: the late John Raitt (1917-2005). John Raitt: Original Album Series brings together four full-length LPs from the legendary performer originally issued between 1955 and 1960, plus a host of bonus tracks. It’s due at general retail on May 1 and is currently shipping directly from the label. A California native, Raitt made his Broadway debut in 1945 with one of the most challenging roles in…
Short Takes, Broadway Edition: “Barnum,” “Half a Sixpence,” “Annie Get Your Gun”
A trio of upcoming releases will be sure to raise the pulse of theatre and cast recording fans out there! Harbinger Records and the Musical Theatre Project have continued their Songwriter Showcase Series with another entry dedicated to the late composer Cy Coleman. Barnum: Backer’s Audition finds Coleman and lyricist/librettist Michael Stewart presenting the score to their potential Broadway musical to an enthusiastic audience of potential investors in an Upper East Side apartment. With this release, you can be a fly on the wall for one of these exciting and rare presentations…
