It is hard to believe that with four active Gypsy CD recordings on store shelves (Merman, Daly, Lansbury, Midler), the film soundtrack album is not among them. This oversight has now been temporarily addressed with the recent release of the complete 1962 film soundtrack score of Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim's "Gypsy," in a limited CD pressing.
GYPSY - (Total Sound 001. Time: 64:59.)
This CD is not the long out-of-print Warner Brothers album. Total Sound has some how managed to obtain a pristine copy of "Gypsy" soundtrack master tapes and outtakes, and that is the basis of this CD. Some of this material has been available on VHS and laser disc, but this is its first audio transfer to cd. The sound quality is A+. Lovers of the film score will welcome such audio gems as "Rose's Turn" and the cut "Together" song in their undubbed and mixed versions. I believe this is the first time one can hear Natalie Wood's selections without Marni Nixon's superb vocal enhancements. The inclusion of Styne's song, "I'm In Pursuit of Happiness" from the 1957 television musical "Ruggles of Red Gap" (which later became "You'll Never Get Away From Me" for the 1959 Broadway production of Gypsy) is an added bonus for musical buffs. These and more are the pluses of this unique CD. However, this does not excuse the makers of this product from their shoddy presentation. First: the table of contents is riddled with misspelling. Second: no liner notes are provided. Example: Lisa Kirk is listed as vocalist on several selections, but those not versed in musical film lore will not understand immediately that Ms. Kirk dubbed some of the singing vocals for the film star Rosalind Russell.
Likewise no mention of Ms. Nixon's efforts for Ms. Wood etc. This is a total disservice to the buyer who may be a novice or professional collector. Hopefully these faults will be corrected if there should be another pressing of this most essential CD. [Note: As of July 2000, this cd can be purchased only at Footlight Records in New York City.]
