Posted on 11/13/2017 11:02:18 AM PST by Twotone
It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas Ev'rywhere you go...
And that's true. It is. On Stuart Varney's show on Friday I even sang the title phrase, somewhat gloatingly, in reference to this (Theresa May has now set the date for the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union, and it looks like I'll be winning by hundred bucks with time to spare). That would be reason enough to celebrate Meredith Willson, the great son of Iowa who wrote "It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas". But this Christmas marks another landmark event in Willson's life: the 60th anniversary of the opening of his biggest Broadway hit, The Music Man. Six decades ago, just ahead of its December opening at the Majestic on Broadway, the show was trying out in Philadelphia, with much trepidation about whether it was too cornfed for the Great White Way. Chances are if you caught the show in Philly you left the theatre humming or whistling or singing:
Seventy-Six Trombones Played the big parade!
(Excerpt) Read more at steynonline.com ...
And we lost Barbara Cook, the original Marian, back in August. One of B’way’s greatest singers.
Tge Barbara Cook version is best
Here’s Barbara Cook’s version of Till There Was You...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXBT4ksiXZY
I think I like Shirley Jones better. Maybe it’s just familiarity from the movie, but her voice is warmer, not so piercing to me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLDsLeVxOaU
Seventy-six trombones LED the big parade, Mark!
To quote River City Mayor Shinn, “You mind your phraseology!”
“Till There Was You” was sung on “The Big Show” on NBC radio in 1950-51. Willson was musical director on that show and many others.
About fifty old and new Willson songs were vetted for use in “The Music Man.”
“Till There Was You” was played for my wife and mine first dance at our wedding. The Beatles version that is.
Bump for a really good Steyn read.
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