The Lost Ballads of Broadway

[Norman M2]

Posted: 2/9/19 at 11:44am

Do you love the great love songs written for Broadway shows? So many of them have become standards, part of the Great American Songbook. Yet there are many more that are unknown because they were cut from a show or the show was a flop.

In this post, I've compiled a list of 15 of these lost songs that I believe deserve a new life. I've included some historical notes about each one and linked them to recordings so that you can listen for yourself.

I would appreciate hearing from you about great songs I've left out

https://normanmathewsauthor.com/the-lost-ballads-of-broadway/

Thanks for reading and listening. Norman Mathews

[bradwalt]

Posted: 2/9/19 at 12:29pm

Mama, a Rainbow.   From Minnie's Boys music by Larry Grossman and lyrics by Hal Hackady.   The song was later recorded by Steve Lawrence and Jim Nabors (although I have never heard their renditions).  

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 2/9/19 at 1:19pm

THE YEARLING "probably had the best score of any flop"?

Not as long as CANDIDE, THE GOLDEN APPLE and STREET SCENE exist.

For me, your mention of Jess Richards overshadowed the items on your list. Jess and I were "out of town" friends when he was performing at theaters where I worked in South Florida. I'm sure you'll agree he's one of so many we lost too soon.

BTW, do you recall a song Jess sang in an original revue at (IIRC) The Village Gate? I believe the ballad was called "I'm Open All Night". I only heard it the one time and have no idea who wrote the show, but I remember liking it very much.

Updated On: 2/9/19 at 01:19 PM

[Norman M2]

Posted: 2/9/19 at 2:18pm

Thanks, Bradwalt. I had completely forgotten about Minnie's Boys, a show I saw and a score I very much admired.