There’s a mention somewhere in the narration of A Spoonful of Sherman that they wrote the ‘Soundtrack to our childhoods’, and I certainly can’t argue with that. Much of their work certainly formed a backdrop to my formative years in 1970’s UK, and continue to do so due to their (and my) association with Disney. In the days where Frozen and the Minions rule, it’s nice to take a nostalgic look back sometimes. I was pleased to receive SimG’s latest release, the Original London Cast Recording of A Spoonful of Sherman - the critically acclaimed cabaret revue that celebrates 90 years and 3 generations of Sherman family songwriting.

Al Sherman was one of the most sought after songwriters on Tin Pan Alley in the '20s, '30s and '40s, with songs recorded by Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, Al Jolson, Bing Crosby, amongst others. Al’s sons, Robert and Richard Sherman, are the most successful song-writing partnership in the history of Hollywood, composing more movie musical songs and acclaimed film scores than any other writing team. Their Oscar winning songs from shows such as Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Jungle Book, The Aristocats and The Slipper and The Rose have entertained the world for more than 60 years. Robert’s son Robbie was the youngest songwriter to join the BMI, and has gone on to write for television, film and theatre. In 2014, together with musical director Colin Billing, Robbie created A Spoonful of Sherman to celebrate his family’s astonishing songwriting legacy.

The double-disc recording comes complete with a 20-page colour booklet, narration by Robert J Sherman, and features over 40 classic Sherman songs. Arrangements are by Colin Billing, produced by Nick Lloyd Webber, and stars the original London cast: Greg Castiglioni (Titanic) Stuart Matthew Price (Parade) Charlotte Wakefield (two-time Olivier nominee, Sound Of Music, Spring Awakening) and Emma Williams (two-time Olivier nominee, Zorro, Love Story).

Let me first air my gripes, of which there are only a couple. This is the London Cast recording of the production that had a short run in town, however the recording comes over as almost a radio show. I always feel that any narrated show needs an audience to give it atmosphere. If not, it runs the risk of sounding very false and academic. A live recording I think would have given the piece more heart. The other niggle for me is that narration is very Bob (Sherman) biased. I suspect this is because it’s been given by his son, who also wrote the show, and also because of the much-reported family rifts over the years. It’s a shame it’s so obvious - Bob and ‘The Sherman Brothers’ are frequently referred to, the wonderful Richard Sherman less so by name, despite him contributing at least half to the partnership, and still composing excellent songs now into his late '80s. The CD booklet gives full biographies of Robert and Robbie (and Al), but Richard’s is limited to one sentence saying he is still writing and living in California.

That said, this is a wonderful collection of songs, anecdotes and memories. Performances, especially from Stuart Matthew Price and Emma Williams are exquisite, and the remaining cast more than do justice to the array of numbers featured here. It’s one hit after another, mainly, and most people will recognise almost everything here. I didn’t quite get the inclusion of Robbie Sherman’s numbers in here - they stick out painfully, and you can’t help but feel that he’s hanging on his father & uncle’s coat-tails somewhat. And his grandfathers, as I hadn’t realised that Al Sherman wrote such great songs too. The musical director and pianist Colin Billing does justice to the music, and also comes up with some imaginative arrangements - one of the toughest jobs when you are working with standards like these.

The double CD package is excellent, as we have now come to expect from Simon at SimG, and as always is very informative. Another top-rate release from what I firmly believe is the UK’s biggest supporter of new musicals.

8

Ian Gude