.com This one-disc reduction of John McGlinn's monumental three-CD version of Show Boat provides 75 minutes of highlights in a package dubbed the "Broadway Show Album." McGlinn reconstructs the show as it ran on opening night, November 15, 1927, including the original orchestrations, and conducts a dynamic London Sinfonietta and a strong cast including Frederica von Stade as Magnolia, Jerry Hadley as Ravenal, Teresa Stratas as the tragic Julie, Bruce Hubbard as the worldly-wise Joe, Karla Burns as Queenie, and David Garrison and Paige O'Hara as the comic couple Frank and Ellie. And of course the songs by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II are among the most glorious ever written: "Ol' Man River," "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man," "Make Believe," "Why Do I Love You," "Bill," "You Are Love," and "Life upon the Wicked Stage." John McGlinn's full version is a staggering achievement and a recording for the ages, but this single disc is also splendid listening. --David Horiuchi
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