Camelot [1982 London Revival Cast]

by Camelot / O.S.T. (Rmst)

Overview

This album by the 1982 London revival cast of the musical Camelot is the fourth major recording of lyricist Alan Jay Lerner and composer Frederick Loewe's score, following the original Broadway (1960) and London (1964) cast LPs and the movie soundtrack (1967). (There have also been several minor recordings.) It is also the second, following the soundtrack, to feature Richard Harris in the role of King Arthur. By the early '80s, the show had evolved from a work more or less equally featuring three major characters, Arthur, Guenevere, and Lancelot, into a star vehicle for the actor playing Arthur. Richard Burton, who originated the part in 1960, headed a Broadway revival in 1980, but he gave way to Harris, first on Broadway in 1981, and here from the West End production of the following year. The recording reflects the change in emphasis the show has undergone. There is much more Arthur than on previous albums, and the performers handling Guenevere and Lancelot are less distinguished. Related to the change is a change in performing style. Burton, essentially a non-singer who could carry a tune, gave a lighter, more nuanced performance as Arthur. Harris, more of a singer, on his second go-round is intent on getting across Arthur's kingly manner and dominating the show. There is none of Burton's underplaying here; on the contrary, Harris, if anything, overplays, not hesitating to bellow when it suits him. In so doing, he invests the show with drama, but fans of the original Broadway cast album may find him hammy. Fiona Fullerton as Guenevere has less to do than Julie Andrews did on the first recording (one of Guenevere's songs, "Then You May Take Me to the Fair," was cut from the show after the 1960 Broadway opening, although it appeared on the cast album, and was replaced by the ensemble number "The Jousts," heard here). She is also, not surprisingly, not as gifted a singer as Andrews. (But then, who is?) Robert Meadmore isn't even the same sort of singer that Robert Goulet, the original Broadway Lancelot, was. Goulet was a manly baritone; Meadmore is a middle tenor, which makes his showpiece, "If Ever I Would Leave You," less impressive. And that really leaves things to Harris, who gets an extra track in "Resolution," not really a song but a spoken (and yelled) soliloquy over background music. Other bits of dialogue and the set piece "Entrance/Madrigal" pad the disc out to an hour, the longest cast recording of the show yet. The original Broadway cast album remains the one to own, but Harris fans and musical theater fans interested in the development of the work over time will want to hear this version. ~ William Ruhlmann

Product Details

Release Date:	06/18/1996
Label:	Jay Records
UPC:	0605288129520
Rank:	138001

Tracks

1. Camelot, musical~Act 1. Overture / Prologue
2. Camelot, musical~Act 1. I wonder what the king is doing tonight
3. Camelot, musical~Act 1. The simple joys of maidenhood
4. Camelot, musical~Act 1. Camelot
5. Camelot, musical~Act 1. Follow me
6. Camelot, musical~Act 1. C'est moi
7. Camelot, musical~Act 1. Lusty month of may
8. Camelot, musical~Act 1. How to handle a woman
9. Camelot, musical~Act 1. The jousts
10. Camelot, musical~Act 1. Before I gaze at you again
11. Camelot, musical~Act 1. Resolution
12. Camelot, musical~Act 2. Entr'acte / Madgrigal
13. Camelot, musical~Act 2. If I ever would leave you
14. Camelot, musical~Act 2. The seven deadly virtues
15. Camelot, musical~Act 2. Fie on goodness
16. Camelot, musical~Act 2. What do the simple folk do?
17. Camelot, musical~Act 2. I loved you once in the silence
18. Camelot, musical~Act 2. Guinevere
19. Camelot, musical~Act 2. Finale

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Original 1982 London Cast   Primary Artist
Richard Harris   Primary Artist,Vocals
Michael Howe   Primary Artist,Choir/Chorus,Vocals
Sue Aldred   Primary Artist,Choir/Chorus
David Donegan   Primary Artist
Neil Braithwaite   Primary Artist
Neil Boyle   Primary Artist
Camelot Cast Ensemble   Primary Artist
Sue Burton   Primary Artist
Sandra Carrier   Primary Artist
Robert Meadmore   Primary Artist,Vocals
Claire Moore   Primary Artist,Vocals,Choir/Chorus
Fiona Fullerton   Primary Artist,Vocals
Peter Barry   Primary Artist,Choir/Chorus
David Bexon   Primary Artist,Vocals
Paul Dennis   Choir/Chorus
Camelot Pit Orchestra   Orchestra
Nevil Whitnig   Choir/Chorus
Caroline Tatlow   Choir/Chorus
Michael Rudman   Director
Gerry Allison   Director,Musical Direction
Tony Stansfiled   Choir/Chorus
Darren Rheault   Choir/Chorus
Bruce Graham   Vocals
Donal O'Sullivan   Choir/Chorus
Caro Gurney   Choir/Chorus
Marcus Mackenzie   Choir/Chorus
William Squire   Choir/Chorus
Graham Bruce   Choir/Chorus
Morag MacKay   Choir/Chorus
Michael Neil   Choir/Chorus

Technical Credits

David Bexon   Performer
John Haynes   Photography
Jonathan Deans   Sound Design
Michael Howe   Performer
John A. Yap   Executive Producer
Julian Beech   Sound Design
Camelot Cast Ensemble   Cast
Ronald Hynd   Choreographer
Gil King   Assistant Producer
Desmond Heeley   Set Design,Costume Design
Frederick Loewe   Composer
Alan Jay Lerner   Book,Composer,Lyricist
John Yap   Executive Producer
Geoff Goddard   Assistant Engineer
John Kurlander   Engineer
Robert Meadmore   Performer
Richard Harris   Performer
Norman Newell   Producer
Claire Moore   Performer
Gillian King   Assistant Producer