The Indiana Historical Society's three-CD box set commemorating Cole Porter's centenary focuses on his work in his most productive decade, the 1930s, when he wrote the songs for nine stage and three movie musicals. The collection is organized chronologically by the songs' composition, even though the recordings employed range from the '30s to the '80s. This is a more scholarly than ear-friendly approach for the most part. Except for Anything Goes, the works for which the songs were written are forgettable, and the songs ...
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The Indiana Historical Society's three-CD box set commemorating Cole Porter's centenary focuses on his work in his most productive decade, the 1930s, when he wrote the songs for nine stage and three movie musicals. The collection is organized chronologically by the songs' composition, even though the recordings employed range from the '30s to the '80s. This is a more scholarly than ear-friendly approach for the most part. Except for Anything Goes, the works for which the songs were written are forgettable, and the songs have no great association to them. Nor is there any perceptible development in Porter's work that would be revealed by the chronological organization. On the other hand, it is often jarring to hear recordings made decades apart juxtaposed against each other, as scratchy, monophonic '30s tracks are followed by clean stereo ones from the '50s and '60s. More interesting is the contrast provided by using multiple versions of certain popular songs. Ten of the performances are by artists who introduced the songs on stage or film, but most are by later performers. The choices, which a sleeve note suggests were hotly debated by the three producers, tend to come from a relatively small pool: Bobby Short, a Porter expert, gets four tracks, but so does swing bandleader Artie Shaw, who made a hit of "Begin the Beguine," but otherwise is not known as a great Porter interpreter. (The producers note a desire to have included Frank Sinatra and even cite the tracks they would have used if they could.) There are also several rarities, notably a 1935 demo of "Don't Fence Me In." And there is a 108-page, 9 x 12 booklet full of essays about Porter, the songs, and the performers. It's worth studying, and this is a collection more for study than actual enjoyment. ~ William Ruhlmann, Rovi
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Add this copy of You'Re the Top: Cole Porter in the 1930s-Cole Porter to cart. $13.74, good condition, Sold by HPB-Diamond rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 1993 by Koch Int'l Classics.
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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 You'Re the Top: Cole Porter in the 1930s-Cole Porter to cart. $16.24, very good condition, Sold by HPB-Diamond rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 1993 by Koch Int'l Classics.
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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 You'Re the Top: Cole Porter in the 1930s-Cole Porter to cart. $17.87, very good condition, Sold by HPB Inc. rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 1993 by Koch Int'l Classics.
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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 You'Re the Top: Cole Porter in the 1930s-Cole Porter to cart. $20.51, very good condition, Sold by Wonder Book - Member ABAA/ILAB rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Frederick, MD, UNITED STATES, published 1993 by Koch International.
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Seller's Description:
Very Good. Very Good condition. audioCD. BMG edition. Case Very Good. 3 disc set. Slipcase missing. Quality guaranteed! In original artwork/packaging unless otherwise noted.
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