All but forgotten in the
Universal Music
vaults, this charming 1963 cast recording has long deserved reissue, not only for its musical virtues, but also as a fine showcase for
Harry Secombe
. Adapted by
Cyril Ornadel
,
Wolf Mankowitz
, and
Leslie Bricusse
from
Charles Dickens
'
The Pickwick Papers
, this cheerful, wryly ironic musical was a success in England at the time of its premiere, and has received at least one major revival (which led, in turn, to a more modern cast recording). But there is a lot to be said for
Marcus Dods
' sprightly musical direction here, and the unique comedic/dramatic talents of
Secombe
-- who was also in the revival recording, three decades later -- as well as the contributions of
Anton Rodgers
in a more conventional mode. There's also a bit of a debt owed in the spirit of the piece to
Gilbert & Sullivan
, so fans of the
Savoy
operettas may well want to hunt this album down. ~ Bruce Eder