Feb 13, 2023
The sad and poorly done holdovers of Phyllis McGuire
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seen from Netherlands
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The sad and poorly done holdovers of Phyllis McGuire
“I Hate Men” From the 1963 Reprise Musical Repertory Theater album of music from Cole Porter’s Kiss Me Kate
Sung by Phyllis McGuire Arranged by Skip Martin Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter
Reprise Musical Repertory Theater is a set of four albums released on Frank Sinatra’s Reprise Records label in 1963. Each featured near-complete scores from a single popular Broadway musical and a star-studded roster of Sinatra’s friends and Reprise’s many talented singers including Sammy Davis Jr, Dean Martin, Debbie Reynolds, Jo Stafford, Dinah Shore; vocal groups the Hi-Lo’s and the McGuire Sisters; and arrangers Nelson Riddle, Billy May, Jerry Fielding, and Skip Martin.
Though these records were not stage, film, or television productions, Sinatra thoughtfully ‘cast’ each song. In this case Sinatra’s sense of irony prevailed, giving “I Hate Men” to Phyllis McGuire of the McGuire Sisters vocal group, who was known for enthusiastically dating a variety of wealthy men including Chicago mobster Sam Giancana.
Select songs from this series have been released in compilations (including Sinatra’s famous recording of “Luck Be A Lady” from Guys & Dolls) but the albums themselves are out-of-print and were last released on CD in 2000 in a box set that is now rare and expensive. I recommend purchasing these albums, as you can hear from the tracks I post, they are marvelous.
The sound effects comedian Fred Smoot at ACT IV in Detroit
The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson with guest Jerry Colonna
The McGuire Sisters on Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts, 1952.
Music Hath Charms— Singer Phyllis McGuire, part of a sister act, turns on the charm en route to a grand jury appearance in Chicago today. She became animated while talking with newsmen. She was summoned by a grand jury because she knows a reputed crime syndicate leader, Sam Giancana, known as Momo and Moo-Moo. Jury is investigating some underworld activities.
Phyllis McGuire at the Plaza Hotel, 1990. Photographed by Ron Galella.
