A Little Bit of Broadway is a compilation album by English singer and actress Julie Andrews, released by Columbia Records in 1988.[1] The album brings together recordings from Andrews' tenure with the label, sourced from a variety of soundtracks, solo projects, and studio albums. This collection does not follow a single Broadway show but instead showcases her interpretations of classic songs from musicals like West Side Story and South Pacific.
The compilation is notable for including the previously unreleased track "I'll Follow My Secret Heart". Its release coincided with the industry's shift to the compact disc (CD) format, which allowed labels like Columbia to reissue and preserve historical recordings, making this diverse collection of performances widely available for the first time. The album received positive critical reception, with praise for Andrews' vocal performances, though some reviewers noted its nature as a compilation lacked the cohesion of a traditional cast album.
Album details
The album features recordings from Broadway musicals that Andrews performed during her tenure at Columbia between 1957 and 1962. These recordings originate from multiple sources, including the television soundtrack of Cinderella (1957), the London cast album of My Fair Lady (1959), the original Broadway cast album of Camelot (1960), and two solo studio albums: Broadway's Fair Julie (1962) and Don't Go in the Lion's Cage Tonight and Other Heartrending Ballads and Raucous Ditties (1962). The selection does not strictly follow the original Broadway recordings but instead compiles various performances that reflect Andrews' extensive engagement with musical theater during that period.[2]
The compilation includes well-known Broadway songs such as "I Feel Pretty" from West Side Story and "A Wonderful Guy" from South Pacific. Additionally, the album features Andrews' rendition of "How Are Things in Glocca Morra?" from Finian's Rainbow and "I Didn't Know What Time It Was" from Too Many Girls.[2] A notable inclusion is the previously unreleased recording of "I'll Follow My Secret Heart" from Noël Coward's Conversation Piece, which had not been made available to the public before this compilation. The song is an unreleased track from Broadway's Fair July.[3] The album thus brings together a variety of Andrews' performances in a way that was not previously accessible in a single collection.[4]
Release
The release coincided with the increasing popularity of the compact disc (CD) format. CDs had started replacing LP records and cassette tapes due to their improved sound quality, durability, and convenience. Record companies such as RCA and Columbia took advantage of this shift by reissuing classic Broadway and film soundtracks that had been unavailable for years. Columbia, in particular, released 17 original cast and soundtrack recordings on CD in 1988, demonstrating the industry's interest in preserving musical theater recordings through the new medium.[5]
The adoption of the CD format allowed for the restoration and improved distribution of historical recordings. Columbia focused on making available previously rare or out-of-print albums, catering to collectors and Broadway enthusiasts. Some releases featured additional content not included in earlier versions, such as bonus tracks or enhanced liner notes. A Little Bit of Broadway benefited from this trend, offering selections that had been spread across different albums and making them accessible in a single digital format.[5]
William Ruhlmann of AllMusic commended Andrews' vocal precision and the historical significance of the recordings. He emphasized the compilation's ability to highlight Andrews' range, from her early Broadway performances to independent recordings that showcased her versatility.[2]
Don Heckman of the Los Angeles Times acknowledged the value of the collection but pointed out that the mix of different recordings resulted in a compilation that lacked the cohesion of a traditional Broadway cast album. He also noted that while the CD format allowed for better preservation of these recordings, some listeners might have preferred the original cast versions rather than a selection from different projects.[4]
In a report on the release of CDs by artists linked to Broadway, David Patrick Stearns of USA Today considered Andrews' collection "a terrific anthology" and stated that the singer shows surprising range and depth in the songs.[6]
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