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Alfred Drake is undoubtedly one of the most iconic figures in the history of musical theatre. In a career that encompassed every possible aspect of the performing arts, from Gilbert and Sullivan operetta to classic Broadway musicals and the plays of Shakespeare, his legacy is unparalleled. However, when you listen to his elegant voice a true picture of his spectacular artistry emerges.

'Lucky To Be Me - A Life in Music' represents the first time a solo album of Alfred Drake's recordings has been issued. Presented as a Deluxe 2CD set, the album includes an entire disc of "Demos, Live Performances and Rarities" culled from Drake's own private archive of recordings.

Stage Door have selected beloved songs from 'Oklahoma!', 'Kiss Me, Kate', and 'Kismet', but have used less familiar performances to create a truly unique compilation with which to honour the great man. Of special note is the inclusion of the great "Soliloquy" from Carousel, the recording of which he was most proud.

Highlights from these unreleased treasures on disc 2 include his 1940 Metropolitan Opera Audition and demos recorded for the Broadway musicals 'The Liar' and 'Courtin' Time'. Compiled with the assistance of Broadway historian and Alfred Drake archivist George Dansker, 'Lucky To Be Me - A Life in Music' showcases the brilliance of Alfred Drake's work on stage and in the recording studio. There were many great stars on Broadway in the 1940s, 50s, and 60s. The distaff side had, of course, Mary Martin and Ethel Merman, to name only two of the most famous of that era. But there was only one comparable male star in this musical theatre galaxy - and that was the great Alfred Drake - who remains to this day Broadway's ultimate leading man. 

RELEASE DATE: APRIL 26th, 2019
CATALOGUE #: STAGE 9062
BARCODE:
5055122190622

 

 

 
DISC ONE - THE STUDIO RECORDINGS

1. Lucky To Be Me (from 'On The Town') 
2. Maria (from 'West Side Story')
3. The Surrey With The Fringe On Top (from 'Oklahoma!')
4. Were Thine That Special Face (from 'Kiss Me Kate') 
5. Wunderbar (from 'Kiss Me Kate) with Jane Pickens
6. Why Can't You Behave? (from 'Kiss Me Kate') with Jane Pickens
7. The Olive Tree (from 'Kismet')
8. And This Is My Beloved (from 'Kismet') 
with Doretta Morrow, Richard Kiley, Henry Calvin
9. You're Devastating (from 'Roberta')
10. In The Spring Of The Year
11. Spring Came Back To Vienna
12. Forgotten
13. Till The Sands Of The Desert Grow Cold 
14. The World Is Mine Tonight
15. The Happy Wanderer (Val-De-Ri, Val-De-Ra)
16. Destiny's Darling
17. Beyond The Sunrise (from 'The Adventures Of Marco Polo')
18. So In Love (from 'Kiss Me Kate')
19. Greensleeves
20. Tea For Two (from 'No, No Nanette') with Mimi Benzell 
21. The Nightmare Song (from 'Iolanthe') 
22. If There Is Someone Lovelier Than You 
23. Lonely Town (from 'On The Town')
24. Soliloquy (from 'Carousel') 


DISC TWO - DEMOS, LIVE PERFORMANCES AND OTHER RARITIES

1. Oh, What A Beautiful Mornin' (from 'Oklahoma!') (Live)
- Introduced By Andy Williams 
2. People Will Say We're In Love (from 'Oklahoma!') Piano Rehearsal 
3. Where (from 'Sing Out, Sweet Land!) Piano Rehearsal
4. We're On Our Way (Infantry Song) 
5. Almost Like Being In Love (from 'Brigadoon') 
6. The Heather On The Hill (from 'Brigadoon') with Roberta Roberts
7. A Glass is A Glass (from 'The Liar') - Demo
8. Maiden Fair (from 'The Liar') - Demo
9. Rose By Any Other Name (from 'The Liar') with Esther Harvey Brown
10. The World Is So Dull (from 'The Liar') - Demo 
11. You Often See Men At The Fair (from 'The Liar') - Demo
12. Fixing For A Long Cold Winter (from 'Courtin' Time) - Demo 
13. Hat In Hand (from 'Courtin' Time) - Demo
14. In The Still Of The Night - Practice Recording
15. I See Your Face Before Me - Practice Recording
16. Thoughts Of You - Practice Recording
17. None But The Lonely Heart - Metropolitan Opera Audition
18. Crudel! Perche Finora (from 'Le Nozze di Figaro')
 - Metropolitan Opera Audition
19. Queen Mab Aria (from 'Romeo et Juliette')
 - Metropolitan Opera Audition
20. I Have A Song To Sing (from 'The Yeomen Of The Guard') 
with Barbara Cook 
21. Oh! A Private Buffoon (from 'The Yeomen Of The Guard')
22. Love Me Tonight (from 'The Vagabond King') 
- Live with Doretta Morrow 
23. Where Or When (from 'Babes In Arms') - Live
24. For Every Man There's A Woman - Live
25. Wanderin' (from 'Sing Out, Sweet Land!') - Live
26. Sweet Danger (from 'Kean') - Live
27. Let Her Not Be Beautiful (from 'Zenda') - Live

 

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United Kingdom (Free Postage) - £12.99

Rest Of The World (Airmail) - £17.99

Optional Gift Wrapping Service - £1.00

 

 

 

 
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www.stagedoorrecords.com

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