A rarity even in its LP iteration, Seven Come Eleven was the sixth in a series of witty, elegant and original café revues invented and produced between 1956 and 1968 by the urbane polymath, Julius Monk. By the time it opened in 1961, Monk and his revues had become must-sees for the New York City cognoscenti. The cast - as ever, attired in tuxedos and black gowns - included future Tony Award® winner Mary Louise Wilson (the 1998 Cabaret revival, Grey Gardens), as well as Rex Robbins, who would later partner with Angela Lansbury in the 1974 Gypsy revival and Philip Bruns, who would find fame as a character actor on TV, playing the father in Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman and as the original Morty Seinfeld on Seinfeld.

As I've said before, I sometimes have to question how Broadway Masterworks choose what to release on digital. Some previous releases, such as A Little Night Music and Cowardy Custard are fully understandable, but some I have to question. I can only assume that Seven Come Eleven has been released for it's historical value and it's good to see things like this being preserved. Ideally I'd like to see labels release their full back catalogue, although I fully appreciate why they don't, or can't.

The issue with this recording is that I don't think the humour has aged well - at all. This, coupled with the fact that some of the comedy must have been visual, leaves you feeling very much 'on the outside' of the jokes. The performances are all competent, and the musical content, put together by William Roy, is well sung. The show needed no more than the two pianos, which sound well on here. It's very much a live recording - which at least gives you a clue where the jokes are, but I have to admit not raising much more than a smile to anything on here.

I would suggest this is a release for the collector, or for those lucky enough to have been at the original productions, and want a memento of their visit.

5

Ian Gude