This re-issue of the film soundtrack from FLOWER DRUM SONG coincides with the current Broadway revival of the Rodgers and Hammerstein neglected masterpiece, which features an all-new book by M. BUTTERFLY's David Henry Hwang.
This recording is highlighted by wunderkind musical director Alfred Newman's orchestrations. I absolutely love the Overture/Main Title music, as well as the "Dream Ballet" which follows on from "Love Look Away" (surely one of Rodgers and Hammerstein's most heart-rending ballads).
However, although the film featured original Broadway stars Miyoshi Umeki, Juanita Hall, Jack Soo and Patrick Adiarte, it also featured a few OBVIOUSLY-DUBBED performers; Nancy Kwan (as sexy nightclub performer Linda Low) has an ill-fitting singing voice provided by B.J. Baker, and Reiko Sato (as the lovelorn Helen Chao) has a singing voice by the legendary Marilyn Horne (who was then a young up-and-comer).
There is also popular matinee idol James Shigeta, displaying his lovely, untrained singing with "You Are Beautiful" and joining Juanita Hall for the comical "Chop Suey". Miyoshi Umeki sounds more polished and confident here than on the original Broadway Cast recording. She is charming and lovely both on record and on film.
1. Main Title: Overture / Flower Drum Song
2. Hundred Million Miracles, A
3. Other Generation, The
4. I Enjoy Being A Girl
5. I Am Going To Like It Here
6. Chop Suey
7. Grant Avenue
8. Gliding Through My Memoree / Fan Tan Fannie
9. Love, Look Away
10. Dream Ballet
11. Sunday
12. You Are Beautiful
13. Don't Marry Me
14. Finale: Wedding Procession / Wedding Ceremony / End Title
15. Love, Look Away - Rosemary Clooney (bonus track)
Flower Drum Song
