Stop the World - I Want to Get Off (1962 Original Broadway Cast)

 (11 customer reviews)

To say that 'Stop the World' was a revolutionary musical in the days of sugar and spice, nicey-nicey musicals would be an understatement. To suggest that Anthony Newley was one of the finest singer-songwriter-performers of our time would be like saying the Pope is Catholic. To say that Decca has done us all a favour by finally reissuing this tuneful cast recording on CD would however be ACCURATE!
Anthony Newley died in April 1999 after losing his battle with cancer. The battle of fame he never lost and left behind a wonderful collection of musicals, songs, tv and cabaret performances that we can love again and again. But the finest of all of Newley's output was this musical. Co-wrote with Leslie Bricusse, Anthony Newley made the role of Littlechap totally his own. Not even Sammy Davis Jnr, Joel Gray or Tony Tanner in the film version could match that unique quality of style and originality that Newley exudes in this fantastic tour de force role.
For fans of musicals...Read more

we fans of this musical have waited too long for the release of the original cast album on cd. we have worn out our vinyl lps while longing for this day. anthony newley's bitingly satirical lyrics capture the british workingman's attitude toward the upper classes -- sort of a cockney parallel to "how to succeed." but it is much more than that. newley's littlechap is everyman, going through all of the stages, joys and woes of life and registering his wonderment at the profundity of it all in newley's memorable tunes and witty lyrics. you will marvel at his verbal gymnastics and chuckle at some of the topical references if you are of a certain age. and you will be humming and whistling more of these songs than you now know.there are so many songs in this show that have become classics -- just once in a lifetime; gonna build a mountain; someone nice like you; but my personal favorite is "lumbered," as it captures the angst of a man thrust into unwilling...Read more

This Bricusse-Newley musical is still fresh today. Some of the songs are classic. They include "What Kind of Fool am I" and "Once in a Lifetime". Newley's voice and vocal range was at its height when this album was recorded. If you like the music in this show then you will also like the music from "Roar of the Greasepaint, Smell of the Crowd".