Jerry Herman albums go digital

by Peter Filichia/The Star-Ledger
Wednesday August 06, 2008, 3:36 PM


Tunesmith Jerry Herman (Jersey City's own!) has gone digital.

Jersey City's Jerry Herman isn't so old that he had his Broadway musicals and pop hits recorded on brittle, acetate 78 r.p.m. records. But as a composer-lyricist who made his Broadway debut in 1960, he's seen and heard his music on 45 r.p.m. records, LPs, 4-track reel-to-reel tape, 8-track tape, cassette and CD.

Now, though, the 75-year-old Herman can now add another format to his resume. Nine recordings of Herman's work will be available on all digital service providers, including iTunes and Amazon MP3 stores. They can be downloaded starting now, courtesy of Sony BMG Masterworks.

In addition to "Jerry Herman's Broadway," a 1992 collection of songs played by the RCA Victor Symphony Orchestra, there will be re-issues of cast albums: Two will be lesser-known works: "Dear World," which won Angela Lansbury a Tony Award in 1969, and "The Grand Tour," which starred Joel Grey in 1979. But four Herman hits will be well-represented: "Milk and Honey," the 1961 musical that ran well over a year; "Mame," another Angela Lansbury Tony-winner, from 1966; as well as "La Cage aux Folles," his 1983 smash.

The biggest hit title gets the most attention of all. Not only will Carol Channing's recording of "Hello, Dolly!" -- the 10-time Tony-winner from 1964 -- be made available, but also the 1967 Pearl Bailey recording. Better still is the news that Mary Martin's 1965 London cast album is being issued. Unlike the other eight recordings, it was never put on CD.