There is only one thing to say about this soundtrack - brilliant. You have the wonderful voice of Barbra Streisand plus of course the one and only Luis Armstrong. When they sing the duet together of "Hello Dolly" what could be greater.
The cover of the cd is very colourful with the face of Dolly (in a very large and flowerful hat) and Horace both in the centre of a circle with the words Hello Dolly going around the edge of the circle.
Of course you have the voice of a very young Micheal Crawford, but he did manage to sound quite reasonable and hasn't he improved with age. After seeing him in "Phantom of the Opera" who would have thought that the gawky boy in Hello Dolly would end up becoming such a renowned star of screen and stage.
We also must not forget the wonderful Walter Matthau who played such a great part in the film, but not the most terrific voice in the world.
If you haven't seen the film that this soundtrack comes from (though I cannot think of anyone who hasn't), it is all set in New York City and Yonkers, New York. Barbra Streisand as Dolly Levi, the matchmaker who is trying to match up Walter Matthau (Horace Vandergelder) with a wife, but Dolly Levi ends up snaring Horace for herself, and at the same time manages to fix up two young couples - Michael Crawford/Marianne McAndrew and E.J.Peaker/Danny Lockin.
One of the most outstanding songs on this track is "Before the Parade Passes by" with Dolly marching through the centre of the parade as she sings and the song says it all that Dolly is determined to get out of widowhood and make a life for herself.
The street that the parade takes place on is 14th street and was specially constructed for the film in the Fox studios, as was the Harmonia Gardens restaurant with its marble fountains and the wonderful crimson carpeted grand staircase.
The title song of "Hello Dolly" is sung by Dolly as she sweeps down this wonderful staircase in the restaurant with all the waiters joining her in a great dance routine. Of course she had set up Horace with a match, Gussie Granger, in the same restaurant. Gussie had been primed to be as difficult as possible by Dolly and storms out of the restaurant as soon as she sees Dolly arrive - this leaves the way open for Dolly to work her charms on Horace.
The restaurant is of course where Dolly sings the unforgettable duet of Dolly, with Louis Armstrong - which was his final motion picture role.
There are so many excellent tracks on this cd i.e.: Just leave everything to me - Dolly telling Horace that she will organise a lovely wife for him.
So long dearie - Dolly singing to Horace that she really does not want to get married to him.
It only takes a moment - sung by Cornelius when he realises that finally he is in love.
Elegance - sung by the two young couples that Dolly had got together. Cornelius and Barnaby realise that they don't have enough money to pay for hansom cabs to the restaurant, so persuade the ladies that it is now considered elegant to walk.
Dancing: is as it suggests a dance routine that takes place in the near by park and led by Ermengarde/Joyce Ames and Ambrose Kemper/Tommy Tune, both excellent dancers. Ermengarde is Horace's neice and Horace is not particularly happy about her marrying and leaving him to look after, not only himself, but his store as well.
But with all good films we have a great ending. Dolly ends up with Horace, Cornelius ends up with Irene, Barnaby ends up with Minnie and Ermengarde ends up with Ambrose.
The final scene is where they all board an actual steam train to the joyous "Put on your Sunday Clothes".
The music and lyrics were by Jerry Herman and the film directed by none other than Gene Kelly.
I really believe that this was one of Barbra Streisand's best films. I love the music and the film which always puts me in a good mood.
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How does it compare to the artist's other releases
Outstanding
How does it rate alongside the competition
Outstanding
Cover / Inlay Design and Content
Good
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