Music Review: Bloomer Girl 1944

Music Review: Bloomer Girl

Evelina (Celeste Holm) is caught between family members.  Her father is a manufacturer of hoops for hoop skirts.  Her aunt is a proponent and created of bloomers, a new alternative to the hoop skirt, more comfortable, more practice; but also scandalous.  This musical was first presented on Broadway in 1944 and this is a remastering of the original recording rereleased in 2001.   

This musical is during the U.S. Civil War.  It tells the story of Evelina's intended, who is from the South, helping a slave escape.  This results in many being arrested with Aunt Bloomer being accused of working with the Underground Railroad.  They escape further problems as the war starts, but all the men leave for the war, Evelina still unmarried.  Her boyfriend is headed to fight for the Confederacy.  But he stops in Washington, where he hears President Lincoln, and changes his loyalties, and returns to propose marriage.  Music bi Harold Arlen, Lyrics by E.Y. Harburg.  There are a couple bonus tracks with Bing Crosby singing "The Eagle and Me" and "Evelina".  For some reason one woman sings in a hick style which is very grating.  The computers also did "Wizard of Oz" but I thought the must've sounded like old Disney, Mickey Mouse.

Bernadette Peters at the Hollywood Bowl - Concert

Here is a You-Tube treat.  I assume this is her 1996 Hollywood Bowl Concert.  Bernabette Peters is a joy.  He makes beautiful music.  She is the person others try to copy when they sing.  She has been performing since age five.
She performs several Stephen Sondheim numbers. 
"Broadway Baby" from Follies.  Peters dances with this song.
"No One Is Alone" from Into the Woods.  This song is one of the touching songs form the second act.  Somtimes things are not what they seem.
"Sooner or Later" from Dick Tracy.
"Not a Day Goes By" form Merrily We Roll Along is a trademark song of Peters.  It repeats the same lyric many times, but the way Peters performs it is interesting and exciting and dis settling all at the same time.  

She also sings "Unexpected Song" Form Song and Dance.   Peters won a Tony for this musical.  This song is such a treat. 

"Glow Worm" was an unexpected and fun song.  She announces it as a sad song.  The orchestra (L. A. Philharmonic Orchestra) even sings this number. 

"Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive," one of my favorite songs, introduced a Harold Arlen section.  This section also included "Come Rain or Come Shine," "Come on Get Happy." "Over the Rainbow" and "Stormy Weather."

Peters has her own style and tone; but it is all good.