SHOW BOAT (Kern-Hammetstein II) 1951 MGM Soundtrack (New Expanded Remix)

This new remix of the score for the 1951 MGM film version of “Show Boat” is not a rip of the now out of print Rhino CD but is mastered from a � inch tape, the majority of which included 2 or more orchestral and vocal stems from the sound track sessions for many of the songs and scoring. “Show Boat” was recorded during a transition from optical to magnetic recording at MGM which resulted in hybrid pre-recordings on optical and magnetic film. As was always the case in the 1940s forward the multiple stems were not recorded with stereophonic reproduction in mind but to get a wider and more detailed coverage of the sections of the orchestra and vocals for mixing into monaural. The separation between these stems was minimal, probably not more than 3 to 5 db between channels whereas real stereo has between 30 to 80 db of separation between channels. This new mix includes all of the music on the Rhino CD (except Annette Warren’s vocals which I have replaced with Ava Gardner’s in their proper film position) but features longer versions of “Make Believe” & “You are Love” plus a short Overture-Prelude used in initial engagements of the film. The sound has a different perspective than the Rhino CD but don’t expect any miraculous improvement over the Rhino CD. Show Boat’s pre-recordings (and most of MGM’s pre-recordings from the late 1940s) were below even the low-fi standards at the time. Even the portions of “Show Boat” recorded magnetically were done so with pre-war microphones.

So why do a new remix at all of this recording? Because, the 1951 MGM soundtrack is my favorite recording of SHOW BOAT, even though several songs from the stage version are truncated or completely missing. Kern’s complex melodies cry for a symphonic sound far beyond the capabilities of a Broadway pit orchestra and Conrad Salinger’s orchestrations played by the incomparable MGM Studio Orchestra with its superb string section are astonishingly beautiful. Kathryn Grayson’s voice blends nicely with Howard Keel’s and their vocals of "Make Believe" & "You are Love" are the finest performances ever of these songs, in my opinion. Ava Gardner’s vocals of “Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man" & "Bill", are especially heartbreaking and are clearly appropriate to the character of Julie. No one has ever performed the two upbeat specialty numbers, "Life upon the Wicked Stage" and "I Might Fall Back on You" better than Marge & Gower Champion in this film. Lastly, William Warfield’s definitive, magnificent performance of the classic "Ol’ Man River", orchestrated to perfection by Salinger, set the standard for every subsequent singer in this role and although imitated, Warfield’s vocal has never been surpassed.

Although the sound quality is not equal to a modern recording and it is far from complete, the 1951 MGM soundtrack serves the most famous songs from Kern & Hammerstein’s landmark score better than any other version of SHOW BOAT I have heard.

SHOW BOAT 1951 Sound Track Remix
MP3 (320 kbps):
https://www.sendspace.com/file/yro3wu

but when will I find the time for all these wonders!!!

: )

Fantastic, steviefromalaska, as ever!!

It is AMAZING,Stevie!
My week-end is starting right now,THANK YOU!

Thank you!!! This is a very special score. Great cover too.

Great score. Great job putting it all together. Thank you.

You are indefatigable. Many thanks!

Thanks so much!

thanks a bunch

Great,simply great!

Once again – an MGM gem! Thanks.

Thanks!!!!

thank you Steve

This new remix of the score for the 1951 MGM film version of “Show Boat” is not a rip of the now out of print Rhino CD but is mastered from a � inch tape, the majority of which included 2 or more orchestral and vocal stems from the sound track sessions for many of the songs and scoring. “Show Boat” was recorded during a transition from optical to magnetic recording at MGM which resulted in hybrid pre-recordings on optical and magnetic film. As was always the case in the 1940s forward the multiple stems were not recorded with stereophonic reproduction in mind but to get a wider and more detailed coverage of the sections of the orchestra and vocals for mixing into monaural. The separation between these stems was minimal, probably not more than 3 to 5 db between channels whereas real stereo has between 30 to 80 db of separation between channels. This new mix includes all of the music on the Rhino CD (except Annette Warren’s vocals which I have replaced with Ava Gardner’s in their proper film position) but features longer versions of “Make Believe” & “You are Love” plus a short Overture-Prelude used in initial engagements of the film. The sound has a different perspective than the Rhino CD but don’t expect any miraculous improvement over the Rhino CD. Show Boat’s pre-recordings (and most of MGM’s pre-recordings from the late 1940s) were below even the low-fi standards at the time. Even the portions of “Show Boat” recorded magnetically were done so with pre-war microphones.

So why do a new remix at all of this recording? Because, the 1951 MGM soundtrack is my favorite recording of SHOW BOAT, even though several songs from the stage version are truncated or completely missing. Kern’s complex melodies cry for a symphonic sound far beyond the capabilities of a Broadway pit orchestra and Conrad Salinger’s orchestrations played by the incomparable MGM Studio Orchestra with its superb string section are astonishingly beautiful. Kathryn Grayson’s voice blends nicely with Howard Keel’s and their vocals of "Make Believe" & "You are Love" are the finest performances ever of these songs, in my opinion. Ava Gardner’s vocals of “Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man" & "Bill", are especially heartbreaking and are clearly appropriate to the character of Julie. No one has ever performed the two upbeat specialty numbers, "Life upon the Wicked Stage" and "I Might Fall Back on You" better than Marge & Gower Champion in this film. Lastly, William Warfield’s definitive, magnificent performance of the classic "Ol’ Man River", orchestrated to perfection by Salinger, set the standard for every subsequent singer in this role and although imitated, Warfield’s vocal has never been surpassed.

Although the sound quality is not equal to a modern recording and it is far from complete, the 1951 MGM soundtrack serves the most famous songs from Kern & Hammerstein’s landmark score better than any other version of SHOW BOAT I have heard.

SHOW BOAT 1951 Sound Track Remix
MP3 (320 kbps):
https://www.sendspace.com/file/mih1oj

Thanks for this too!

Thanks for the share…

I’m very fond of MGM’s version of Show Boat, not least because it tightens up considerably the rather protracted Act 2 of the original show. The songs have never sounded better and Warfield’s "Ol’ Man River" brings me out in goose-bumps every time I hear it. It’s a shame the choir is missing from the finale, but I suspect they may have been added as an after-thought and recorded at a later session? This remix still sounds fantastic though!

Here is a new limited time link to the fantastic SHOW BOAT 1951 soundtrack:
SHOW BOAT 1951 Sound Track Remix
MP3 (320 kbps):
https://www.sendspace.com/file/yro3wu

Stevie,

Thank you… will very much enjoy giving this a listen.

Grateful to you. 🙂

In honour of the 90th Anniversary of SHOW BOAT, here is a limited time link to my remix of the beloved 1951 film version expanded soundtrack:
SHOW BOAT 1951 Sound Track Remix
MP3 (320 kbps):
https://www.sendspace.com/file/yro3wu
No FLAC available

thanks!

Awesome share! Thanks, Man! Rep given!