Lerner, Alan Jay An Evening With...(My Fair Lady, Camleot, Gigi) LP Vinyl

Alan Jay Lerner's turn at the Lyrics and Lyricists series at the 92nd Street y in New York in December 1971 was a musical theater insider's dream, as Lerner told stories about the development of songs that became hits ("On the Street Where You Live," which composer-partner Frederick Loewe detested) and songs that disappeared ("Come to the Ball," which everyone associated with My Fair Lady thought would be a hit, but which ultimately was cut from the show). Anyone coming to this recording without a thorough background in Lerner's work would be a little at sea, and the performance does not work as a musical biography (for example, there's nothing from Brigadoon). But as a collection of theater stories, together with the lyricist's own competent renditions of some of his songs (he does 11 while singers J.T. Cromwell, Bobbi Baird, and Barbara Williams do one each), it makes for a delightful and informative listening experience. - William Ruhlmann - Recorded Live At The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane On Sunday 7th June, 1987.

1. The Street Where You Live 2. Heather On the Hill 3. Almost Like Being in Love 4. How Could You Believe Me 5. Come Back to Me 6. On a Clear Day You Can See Forever 7. How to Handle a Woman 8. Follow Me 9. Ever I Would Leave You 10. Camelot 11. Garbage Isn't What It Used To Be 12. Gigi 13. I'm Glad I'm Not Young Anymore 14. Why Him? 15. One More Walk Around The Garden 16. Take Care of This House 17. Wanderin' Star 18. Another Life 19. Ascot Gavotte 20. Could Have Danced All Night 21. The Rain in Spain 22. I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face 23. Dance A Little Closer