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Camelot (Broadway cast recording)
1960 cast recording by Various artists From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Camelot is the original cast recording of the musical with the same name, released in 1960 by Columbia Records. The musical, with a book by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe, is based on the Arthurian legend as depicted in T.H. White's novel The Once and Future King. The original Broadway production starred Richard Burton as King Arthur, Julie Andrews as Guenevere, and Robert Goulet as Lancelot.[1] The album features iconic songs such as "Camelot," "How to Handle a Woman," and "If Ever I Would Leave You," which have become staples in the musical theater repertoire.[2]
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The recording was produced by Goddard Lieberman, who was also responsible for other successful Lerner and Loewe productions like My Fair Lady and Gigi.[1] The album was released in both stereo and monaural formats, and it quickly became a commercial success, with Columbia Records implementing innovative marketing strategies, such as issuing "Camelot tokens" that could be redeemed for the album. This pre-release promotion helped generate significant interest and sales even before the album hit the market.[3] Columbia with CBS was backed entirely by record company money, the put $400,000 for the "Camelot" album.[4]
The album's release coincided with the Broadway production's run, which began in December 1960 at the Majestic Theatre in New York. Despite mixed initial reviews for the stage production, the cast recording was well-received and contributed to the musical's enduring popularity.[3] The album's success was further bolstered by its association with President John F. Kennedy, who was fond of the musical and its themes, often referencing the "Camelot" concept as a metaphor for his administration.[5] In an interview with historian Theodore White, published in LIFE magazine, on November 29, 1963, Jacqueline Kennedy likened the Kennedy era to the myth of Camelot, referencing a song from the album that JFK loved. She quoted the lyrics, "Don't let it be forgot, that once there was a spot, for one brief shining moment that was known as Camelot", and expressed that while there would be other great presidents, there would never be another Camelot.[6]
The album received a nomination for Best Musical Show in the 3rd Annual Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2006.[7]
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Critical reception
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The original cast recording received widespread acclaim from critics upon its release. Overall, it was recognized for its strong performances, memorable score, and high production quality, solidifying its place as a classic in the Broadway musical canon.
William Ruhlmann of AllMusic website praised the album as a "Broadway landmark", highlighting the performances of Richard Burton, Julie Andrews, and Robert Goulet. He wrote that the music, composed by Lerner and Loewe, was both delightful and significant in the context of Broadway history.[2]
Cash Box magazine described the album as a "top sales bonanza", emphasizing the charming collection of songs and the delightful performances by the cast. While the review wrote that the songs might not have the immediate show-stopping quality of Lerner and Loewe's previous work, My Fair Lady, it still celebrated the addition of lovely ballads to their catalog.[8]
Billboard highlighted the "brilliant" performances of Julie Andrews and Richard Burton, as well as Robert Goulet's fine vocal style. The review also praised the album's packaging, which included colorful photos of the cast and notes on the leading players, making it an attractive purchase for fans of the musical.[9] Variety referred to it as "a delightful work with plenty of rewarding moments."[11]
LIFE magazine described Camelot as a "lovely spell" cast and praised the musical's blend of old English legends and enchanting new melodies, brought to life by the performers.[10]
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Commercial performance
The album reached No. 1 on the Billboard Top LP's - 150 Best-Selling Monaural LP's chart on June 5, 1961, and stayed at the top for six weeks.[12][13][14][15][16][17] it also reached No. 1 on The Cash Box Best Selling Monaural & Stereo Albums chart on July 1, 1961, and stayed at the top for five weeks.[18] By May 1965, it had sold 1,236,000 copies in the United States alone.[19] It was later certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for its performance in the country.[20][21]
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CD release
In 1998, Columbia/Legacy released a digitally remastered version of the album in compact disc (CD), which included extensive liner notes, original playbill reproductions, reviews, photos, and an essay by Marc Kirkeby. This reissue aimed to preserve the historical significance of the recording while introducing it to a new generation of listeners. The 1998 CD reissue was commended for its additional content and remastered sound quality.[2]
Track listing
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Pesonnel
Credits adapted from the liner notes of Camelot: Original Broadway Cast.[22]
- Original Broadway Cast: Richard Burton and Julie Andrews in Camelot
- Book & Lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner
- Music by Frederick Lowe
- Production staged by Moss Hart
- Co-starring Roddy McDowall and Robert Goulet
- Musical Direction: Franz Allers
- Production by Jenny Productions
- Record production by Goddard Lieberson
- Arranged by Trude Rittman
- Photography by Maynard Frank Wolfe, Milton H. Greene
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Charts
Certifications and sales
References
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