In honor of Carousel, directed by Rob Ruggiero, at the Goodspeed Opera House.
(Previews began last month. Opening night was August 1. The actress playing Julie Jordan changes this week. The show runs well into September. Don’t worry, you’ll get a review from me eventually.)
1. The Sonics, “Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark.” This ‘60s garage-rock classic begins with singer Gerry Roslie yowl-crooning the opening lines of the Rodgers & Hammerstein song, then launching into a frantic rock song about night terrors and modern relationships:
“We used to walk together late at night
We’d stop and hold each other tight
You would tell me that you were afraid
I must protect thee. Here’s what I’d say:
Don’t, don’t, be afraid. Don’t, don’t, be afraid.
Don’t, don’t, be afraid, of the dark.
2. Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon.
The erstwhile nutty professor, ladies’ man and bellboy would always end his on-air exercises in endurance with a tearful rendition of “You’ll Never Walk Alone,’ advancing towards the camera, voice cracking, eking out those last few donations.
3. Elvis Presley. He does it just as you’d expect, but context is everything. It’s included not on some songbook or showtune-themed album but on the gospel set Peace in the Valley, or as part of Amazing Grace—His Greatest Sacred Performances.
4. Nina Simone. Largely instrumental piano version, in the inimitable Simone style.
5. Gerry and the Pacemakers. Makes “Ferry Cross the Mersey” seem like heavy metal.
6. Mahalia Jackson. Draaaaawwwws outtttt everrrrrryy woooooorrrddd until you forget what’s she’s singing about, and just luxuriate in the phrasing.
7. Johnny Cash. Practically speaks it, not unlike Jerry Lewis.
8. Conway Twitty. Does a much more countrified version than Johnny Cash, with backing chorus and Roy Orbison jitters.
9. The Three Tenors. Living the lyric by not even singing it alone.
10. The Adicts. Punk hooligan rendition.
11. Aretha Franklin. Relish the irony of the woman who sang “Respect” channeling a tale of domestic abuse.
12. Frank Sinatra. Makes the song resemble “My Way” and “September Song,” somehow turning a song about bright fresh hopes into a nostalgic ballad.
13. Celtic Woman. Includes the halting violins associated with contemporary Irish pop music, but can’t resist a full swirling orchestra either.
14. Smoking Popes. Poppy, cleverly arranged, even suspenseful guitar-driven version, with a smokin’ solo.
15. Liverpool Football supporters. It’s the Gerry & the Pacemakers version this stadium full of soccer fans are referencing, their shouty accents giving the tune an eerie resonance: “Yooo’ll naiver wallk aloon…”
Bonus track: Can’t hear her singing it without thinking of her walking alongside the Scarecrow, Tin Woodman and Cowardly Lion.
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