Lyricist/co-librettist E.Y. Harburg's complicated original plot for the 1947 Broadway musical Finian's Rainbow conflated two stories: one about an Irishman who immigrates to the American South with his daughter after stealing a crock of gold from a leprechaun who pursues them to get it back; the other about a bigoted Southern Senator who gets a taste of his own Jim Crow policies when he is magically turned into a black man. The show worked because it gave greater attention to the first plot than the second, and because ...
Read More
Lyricist/co-librettist E.Y. Harburg's complicated original plot for the 1947 Broadway musical Finian's Rainbow conflated two stories: one about an Irishman who immigrates to the American South with his daughter after stealing a crock of gold from a leprechaun who pursues them to get it back; the other about a bigoted Southern Senator who gets a taste of his own Jim Crow policies when he is magically turned into a black man. The show worked because it gave greater attention to the first plot than the second, and because Harburg and composer Burton Lane's Irish-tinged score was so tuneful. The hit of the piece was "How Are Things in Glocca Morra?," the daughter's homesick reminiscence of her birthplace, but "Old Devil Moon" also got into the pop charts, and "Look to the Rainbow," "If This Isn't Love," and "When I'm Not Near the Girl I Love" all attained the status of semi-standards. In some of the wittier, lesser-known songs, such as "That Great-Come-and-Get-It Day" and "The Begat," Lane included gospel and R&B influences, while Harburg snuck in topical criticisms of the D.A.R. (Daughters of the American Revolution) and "the misbegotten GOP." (No wonder he was blacklisted soon after.) The show ran a year-and-three-quarters on Broadway in its original production. Columbia Records jumped into the original cast album sweepstakes for the first time, in competition with Decca and RCA Victor, by recording Finian's Rainbow a couple of months after it opened and releasing it as a six-disc 78 RPM album. The collection was dominated by Ella Logan, who played Sharon McLonergan, the daughter, and sang six leads or duets among the 12 songs. Logan had a rich voice and a charming Irish accent that helped her put across songs like "How Are Things in Glocca Morra?" David Wayne, as Og the leprechaun, was also winning, especially on "When I'm Not Near the Girl I Love." Though it was a somewhat under-produced recording, this first performance of Finian's Rainbow on records remained the definitive one. The album marked another first for Columbia when the label used it to introduce its new LP format in June 1948. There were numerous reissues over the years, then in 1988, the album came out on CD. On May 30, 2000, a second CD version appeared that represented a sonic overhaul, going back to the original acetates. Reissue producer Thomas Z. Shepard added a different take of "That Great Come-and-Get-It Day" that restored the song to the second act finale, and he substituted a livelier take of "The Begat." On three more bonus tracks at the end of the disc, Harburg was heard discussing the writing of "How Are Things in Glocca Morra?" and "When I'm Not Near the Girl I Love" before singing them, and he also performed "Don't Pass Me By," a song cut from the show. ~ William Ruhlmann, Rovi
Read Less
Add this copy of Finian's Rainbow to cart. $2.92, very good condition, Sold by HPB-Emerald rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2009 by Masterworks Broadway.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Cases may show some wear. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of Finian's Rainbow (1947 Original Broadway Cast) to cart. $3.03, very good condition, Sold by Goodwill BookWorks rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Austin, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2000 by Sony Music Distribution.
Add this copy of Finian's Rainbow (1947 Original Broadway Cast) to cart. $3.04, good condition, Sold by HPB-Ruby rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2000 by Masterworks Broadway.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Good. Providing great vinyl and media since 1972. All used records are inspected and guaranteed. May have wear and minor issues from previous owner. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of Finian's Rainbow to cart. $3.24, very good condition, Sold by HPB Inc. rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2009 by Masterworks Broadway.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Cases may show some wear. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of Finian's Rainbow (1947 Original Broadway Cast) to cart. $3.37, good condition, Sold by Goodwill Industries rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Eugene, OR, UNITED STATES, published 2000 by Sony Music Distribution.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Disc(s) may have light surface scratches unless noted as being NIP (New In Package). DVD's are guaranteed to play as new or your money back. Case conditions will vary. Purchasing this item from Goodwill provides vocational opportunities for individuals with barriers to employment.
Add this copy of Finian's Rainbow (1947 Original Broadway Cast) to cart. $3.39, good condition, Sold by Goodwill rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Brooklyn Park, MN, UNITED STATES, published 2000 by Sony Music Distribution.
Add this copy of Finian's Rainbow (1947 Original Broadway Cast) to cart. $3.63, good condition, Sold by Goodwill of Colorado rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, UNITED STATES, published 2000 by Sony Music Distribution.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
All our items come in the original case with artwork, though manuals and slipcovers are not always guaranteed to be included as these items are donated goods. We typically resurface discs that are visibly scratched prior to shipping, but we do not test disc(s). Digital codes may not be included and have not been tested to be redeemable and/or active. Thank you for shopping with Goodwill Colorado! Orders shipped Monday through Friday. Safe and Secure Bubble Mailer! Your purchase helps put people to work and learn life skills to reach their full potential. Thank you!
Add this copy of Finian's Rainbow (1947 Original Broadway Cast) to cart. $5.09, like new condition, Sold by Streetlight_Records rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Santa Cruz, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2000 by Masterworks Broadway.
Add this copy of Finian's Rainbow [Original Broadway Cast] [Bonus Tracks to cart. $5.90, good condition, Sold by The Yard Sale Store rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Narrowsburg, NY, UNITED STATES, published 2000 by Sony Music Distribution.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Originally released: 2000. Finian's Rainbow MUSIC CD with original printed insert withdrawn from the library collection. Some library markings. Some shelf wear to the case. We will polish the CD for a smooth listening experience. Ships in a cloth, drawstring bag. Enjoy this reliable Music CD performance. THIS IS Finian's Rainbow
Add this copy of Finian's Rainbow (1947 Original Broadway Cast) to cart. $6.19, very good condition, Sold by Wonder Book - Member ABAA/ILAB rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Frederick, MD, UNITED STATES, published 2000 by Sony Music Distribution.
![Finian's Rainbow [Original Broadway Cast] [Bonus Tracks] - Original Broadway Cast Recording](https://www2.alibris-static.com/finians-rainbow-original-broadway-cast-bonus-tracks/cover/m80191yhheh_l.jpg)
![Finian's Rainbow [Original Broadway Cast] [Bonus Tracks]](https://www1.alibris-static.com/finians-rainbow-original-broadway-cast-bonus-tracks/cover/m80191yhheh.jpg)
![Finian's Rainbow [Original Broadway Cast] [Bonus Tracks]](https://www3.alibris-static.com/images/elements/image_coming_soon.png)
![Finian's Rainbow [Original 1960 Broadway Cast]](https://www3.alibris-static.com/finians-rainbow-original-1960-broadway-cast/cover/h88675hqw55.jpg)
![Finian's Rainbow [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]](https://www0.alibris-static.com/finians-rainbow-original-motion-picture-soundtrack/cover/r23114faj3w.jpg)
Portions of content provided by Rovi Corporation. © 2024 Rovi Corporation.