Most 'new to CD' albums that cross my desk for review are already known to me in one guise or another. Either I've got the LP, or heard it, or at least know a couple of the numbers. The same can't be said for Masterworks Broadway's latest digital transfer, the original 1951 Broadway cast recording of the musical Seventeen.

Indeed, the only name on the album I recognised was Milton Berle, who produced the show on Broadway. Even the songwriting team of composer Walter Kent and lyricist Kim Gannon were new to me, although they did write the Christmas classic 'I’ll Be Home For Christmas.'

The musical, based on a story by Booth Tarkington, tells the tale of William Baxter, who believes himself to be an adult at the age of 'Seventeen'. The show's main premise is based around the arrival of an 'older woman' next door, in the shape of aspiring actress Lola Pratt - older being 18!

The score features some good numbers, and I'm surprised none of them have gone on to become semi-classics. 'Things Are Gonna Hum This Summer', 'This Was Just Another Day' and 'After All, It’s Spring' are all well written numbers, as is the very catchy 'Reciprocity'. I really enjoyed the opening number 'Weatherbee’s Drug Store' and the quite entertaining 'Hoosier way'. The best number in my opinion is 'I Could Get Married Today', which is also extremely well written, and well performed by Alonzo Bosan and Maurice Ellis.

Masterworks have done a good job with this release, and it's great to see a rare album such as this being released in the digital age. We can only hope for more in future.

7

Ian Gude