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RCA Studio Recordings Warner Bros. Studio, Hollywood RCA Victor Orchestra With Conductor Irving Aaronson Selections: More Than You Know (Great Day) (Take 2)
On this date Mario Lanza recorded four songs to be part of his "Lanza On Broadway" album. There were several takes for each song and I have listed only the takes used in the original release. This album has become very controversial over the years as many fans feel it does not represent Lanza at his best and that it is sonically in poor shape. Blame has been attributed to the studio engineers when the chorus, in this case the Jeff Alexander Choir who recorded their part for the last two songs on May 29, 1956, was added later. One has to go back to the original recordings made by Lanza and then compare them with the finished product to truly come to any proper conclusions. Happily this will be possible, as Damon Lanza Productions will release the takes that were used on the album very shortly on CD. 
May 15, 1956 RCA Studio Recordings Warner Bros. Studio, Hollywood RCA Victor Orchestra With Conductor Irving Aaronson Selections: So In Love (Kiss Me Kate) (Take 5)
On this date Mario Lanza recorded four more songs to be used on his "Lanza On Broadway" album. The Jeff Alexander Choir joins Lanza for all of the selections except the last one and their portions were recorded on May 29, 1956 and May 31, 1956 and later added. These songs were done in multi-takes and I have listed only the ones used in the original release. Damon Lanza Productions will release Lanza’s original takes without the chorus that were used on the album very shortly on CD.
May 17, 1956 RCA Studio Recordings Warner Bros. Studio, Hollywood RCA Victor Orchestra With Conductor Irving Aaronson Selections: Younger Than Springtime (South Pacific) (Take
4)
On this date Mario Lanza recorded four final songs to be used on his "Lanza On Broadway" album. The Jeff Alexander Choir joins him for all of the selections except the third one and their portions were recorded on May 29, 1956 and May 31, 1956 and added later. These songs are very nicely performed by Lanza and are very expressively sung. The first and third selections were done in several takes and the other two songs were each done in one take. I have only listed the takes that were used in the original release. Damon Lanza Productions will release Lanza’s original takes without the chorus that were used on the album very shortly on CD.
August 10, 1956 RCA Studio Recordings Republic Studios, Hollywood RCA Victor Orchestra With The Jeff Alexander Choir And Conductor Henri Rene Selections: This Land (The Lord Don’t Play Favorites) (Take
5)
On this date Mario Lanza recorded two songs to be released as singles and four Christmas favorites. He is in resplendent voice and receives fine support from the chorus and his conductor. These songs were done in several takes and I have listed the released take next to each selection to save space. All of the originally released takes are available from BMG on CD. The other takes are presently unavailable.
August 15, 1956 RCA Studio Recordings Republic Studios, Hollywood RCA Victor Orchestra With The Jeff Alexander Choir And Conductor Henri Rene Selections: O Christmas Tree (Take 6)
On this date Mario Lanza recorded two more songs to be released as singles and three more Christmas favorites. He sings wonderfully and gives fine interpretations. A number of the selections were done in numerous takes and I have listed only the takes that were released to save space. All of the originally released takes are available from BMG on CD while the other takes are presently unavailable.
August 27, 1956 RCA Studio Recordings Republic Studios, Hollywood RCA Victor Orchestra With The Jeff Alexander Choir* And Conductor Henri Rene Selections: I’ve Told Ev’ry Little Star (Music In The Air)
(Take 10)
On this date Mario Lanza recorded four great operetta and musical comedy selections to be used on his superb "Cavalcade of Show Tunes" album. He is in magnificent form and really puts everything into these songs including some brilliant high notes. Several of the songs were done in multi-takes and I have listed only the released takes to save space. Only selections two and three are available from BMG on CD. Selections one and four and the other takes are presently unavailable.
August 31, 1956 RCA Studio Recordings Republic Studios, Hollywood RCA Victor Orchestra With The Jeff Alexander Choir* And Conductor Henri Rene Selections: Rose Marie (Rose Marie) (Take 2)*
On this date Mario Lanza recorded four more fine operetta and musical comedy selections to be used on the "Cavalcade of Show Tunes" album. All are beautifully sung especially the last song with its’ melting mezza voce. Each of these four songs was done in multi-takes and to save space I have only listed the takes that were released with the exception of the alternate take of "Donkey Serenade." Only the last two selections have been released by BMG on CD. Damon Lanza Productions will release the "Firefly" alternate take on CD soon. The first two selections and the other takes are not available.
September 6, 1956 RCA Studio Recordings Republic Studios, Hollywood RCA Victor Orchestra With The Jeff Alexander Choir* And Conductor Henri Rene Selections: Lover Come Back To Me (New Moon) (Take 2)
On this date Mario Lanza recorded four more fine operetta selections and did a retake of another originally made on August 27, 1956. All were used on his "Cavalcade of Show Tunes" album. Lanza is phenomenal in each of these selections. His voice is free and easily produced and his upper register is stupendous! Bass Thurl Ravenscroft is heard in the solo passages for the "Naughty Marietta" song. All of the songs were done in multi-takes and I have listed only the takes that were originally released. Interestingly enough, when "Thine Alone" was originally released RCA chose to omit Lanza’s glorious high C ending. The complete song was finally released in its’ entirety on a collection album in the 1960’s. Unfortunately none of these selections including the alternate takes are presently available. |