Flower Drum Song – SOUNDTRACK****

Main Title-Overture/A Hundred Million Miracles/The Other Generation/I Enjoy Being A Girl/I Am Going To Like It Here/Chop Suey/Grant Avenue/Dream Ballet/Gliding Through My Memoree Fan Tan Fanny/Love Look Away/ Sunday/You Are Beautiful/Don’t Marry Me/Finale: Wedding Procession-Wedding Ceremony-End Title

The musical film Flower Drum Song starred Nancy Kwan, James Shigeta and Miyoshi Umeki and follows the plot of the Broadway stage show exploring conflicts between the traditional and integrated outlook of the main characters in an American Chinatown community. Music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. (US:15)

“The story of Chinese immigrants in San Francisco may have been forward looking in the late '50s, when the sight of a stage largely full of Asian-heritage actors was surprising on Broadway. However, after decades of increased ethnic pride, it now seems stereotyped. The fact that the show's best-known song, I Enjoy Being A Girl, taken out of context, sounded anti-feminist didn't help."

“This is one of those shows that is rarely heard these days, possibly because in this era of political correctness it is difficult to find a place for it. This is a great shame as this score is certainly of similar quality to Rodgers and Hammerstein’s better known works. Although a few numbers are a little irritating, particularly those set in the night club, some of them are sublime - Love Look Away is glorious.”

“The romantic numbers are beautifully orchestrated, the fun numbers sparkle and the swingers swing. The singers give first rate performances but the outstanding contribution comes from the orchestra. The Overture and the Dream Ballet are two of the highlights of the album. Incidentally even the maligned Chop Suey is fun here.”

“Rodgers and Hammerstein's Flower Drum Song is one of those hopelessly happy and inspiring offerings from the early 1960s. Lovely throughout, from the light and happy A Hundred Million Miracles to the very amusing version of Don't Marry Me Best known for the Nancy Kwan song I Enjoy Being A Girl, the soundtrack is multi levelled and a nice slice of life.”

“The story is a charmer. Old meets new and east meets west as generations and cultures differ in opinion where matters of the heart are concerned. Rodgers and Hammerstein's words and music tell this wonderful, comic and sweet love story perfectly. Long time fans will love the way their favourites sound on this LP."