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This is the motion picture adaptation Rogers and Hammerstein considered the best of all their stage successes and the performances are wonderful. The sound quality is, as might be expected, vastly superior to the original Broadway stage recording but not so good as the Todd-AO soundtracks of South Pacific or Sound of Music.
(I had reconciled myself to the 2001 version, which for the most part gets excellent reviews here in spite of what some consider the intrusions of the foley effects. I apologize for these comments' being time-dependent; and I am independently notifying Amazon that it needs to change this listing. This comment is for those looking for the original, unaugmented soundtrack, as on the original LP and re-issued in 1993. By fortuitous accident I received the 1993 release).Unfortunately, I don't know how the prospective buyer can know in advance which version (s)he will receive when clicking under this listing. In the meantime, however, the reader needs to be aware of the fact that most of the other reviews under this listing refer to a substantially different re-issue, presumably The King and I (1956 Film Soundtrack), which contains additional music, but also foley effects.This is an especially important consideration because at various times a particular reissue may command a very high price because of actual or presumed rarity. At the time of this writing the 1993 re-issue is not as rare as might have been assumed, and the reader should know that it is not necessary at this time to pay an extraordinary price to get the original release of all 3 (King & I, Carousel, & Oklahoma) as re-issued in 1993 version. I hope that by the time most of you read this Amazon will have specified whether this is the 1993 or 2001 re-issue.I am not recommending one re-issue versus another; had I received it, I might well have enjoyed the extra material on the 2001 release. I suggest the customer read the competing opinions on this subject, as found in the reviews scattered among the various R&H soundtrack listings.
I ordered the tape and within 3 days the tape arrived. I ordered a soundtrack tape of "The King and I". I needed the song "Getting to Know You", for a project at our local Nursing Center. This was a used tape, but it was in excellent condition, just as advertized. I will certainly use Amazon.com again.
I think that few would agree with the audiophile (hcampo) who says that the dialog distracts from the soundtrack recording. This is the soundtrack from the 1956 movie. I have not heard the other versions to which he refers, but I found the limited dialog on this version enjoyable - even though I am not all that familiar with the play/movie (I have seen the movie once). It is a high-fidelity, multi-track recording mixed to great stereo. Very rare in 1956. The blending of the voices of Deborah Kerr (the lead actress "Anna") and Marni Nixon (her singing double) is amazing. Overall, I think that this is about as good as it gets.
I have never been able to picture anyone but him in this roll. I have always loved this musical. Yul Bryner as the "King" was wonderful. When I listen to the music I can picture him on the stage performing the songs and creating the role, since I had the opportunity to see him do so on the stage. This is one of my favorite CD's and I listen to it often.
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