Camelot is a timeless treasure. Lyrics and music by Lerner & Lowe (My Fair Lady). In my estimation, the 1966 Broadway version of Camelot is a much better version than the movie soundtrack (with Richard Harris). I may be biased because the Broadway production is the one I heard first, and most of the time the version people hear first and learn to appreciate, becomes their standard. But beyond any personal bias, the broadway version is superior for one very important reason. It is uncensored. "Fie On Goodness", and "The Seven Deadly Virtues", were excluded from the movie soundtrack because they were considered too risque' for the general audience. However, they are of utmost importance to the story. "Virtues" defines Mordreds character and explains his subversive behavior throughout. "Fie" relates the knights unrest and dissatisfaction, and subsequent division amongst them. How the film was made without these two songs is bewildering to me. The vocal performances of the Broadway version are sterling. How, for instance, could anyone improve Goulet's arrogant, boisterous yet innocent rendition of C'est Moi? Andrews delivers as usual. Burton, to me, falls into a special category of entertainers (Incl. Louis Armstrong, Jimmy Durante) that really don't have a very good singing voice, but express so much heart, soul, and character in their performances, that any technical vocal shortcomings are entirely immaterial. If you are unfamiliar with Camelot, take a chance and buy this CD, - expand your horizons.Read full review
The original Columbia vinyl recording has always been the definitive version of this show, but this remastered cd has the advantage of placing the songs in the order in which they were heard in the show, and a sonic crispness that lets the subtleties of Robert Russell Bennett and Philip Lang's orchestrations show through. The calibre of the performances is exceptional: Robert Goulet's first Broadway appearance shows him at the top of his form as a young leading man, Julie Andrews was never in better voice, and Richard Burton is both charismatic and thoughtful as the idealistic King Arthur. And one should not forget Roddy McDowall's deliciously sardonic portrait of Mordred, captured in this cd on "The Seven Deadly Virtues." There's no better recording of Camelot available for those who are devotees of this charming (if imperfect) icon of a vanished age in musical theater history.Read full review
This is the latest remastering of the original 60s Broadway cast on Columbia Records, where several songs were out of sequence due to limits of space on each side of a vinyl record. Later CD on Columbia carried this over. Now, however, this newly remastered version by Sony restores the original order of songs as they occur in the stage show. The show itself is an opulent classic of Broadway. Richard Burton's 'Arthur', Julie Andrews' 'Guinevere' and Robert Goulet's 'Lancelot' are definitve performances. The Lerner and Loewe songs are enchanting, "loverly" and memorable, with the signature lyric: "Don't let it be forgot, that once there was a spot, for one brief shining moment that was known as Camelot!" This classic musical drama of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round table and the bittersweet tragedy of the star-crossed lovers, Arthur's beloved royal wife Queen Guinevere and his best friend and champion Sir Lancelot is a compelling love story on a grand, epic scale that will never "be forgot".Read full review
Great music, clever lyrics,,wonderful performances especially Richard Burton and the incomparable Julie Andrews in top form with all other performances including the orchestra top notch. I defy anyone to listen without a permanent smile all the way through!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Always LOVED the music from this show...it is so very nice to be able to find it, again!!! The CD sounds WONDERFUL!!!!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
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