"You Are for Loving"/"What Do You Think I Am" Released: 1963
Best Foot Forward is the cast recording of the 1963 off-Broadway revival of the musical comedy. The album features performances by a young company, including Liza Minnelli in one of her earliest professional appearances, and captures the score by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane with primarily piano accompaniment. The recording includes ensemble numbers and key songs from the show, reflecting the lively and humorous atmosphere of the production.
The album was released by Cadence Records and became part of a rare trend at the time for independent labels to issue musical theatre recordings. It included the single "You Are for Loving"/"What Do You Think I Am", which received positive attention, and was later reissued by Stet Records and Piccadilly with new covers, and titled Best Foot Forward –The Off-Broadway Hit Revival that Introduce Liza Minnelli (1977) and Best Foot Forward – The Musical Comedy Featuring Liza Minnelli (1982), respectively. The recording has been noted for its energetic performances and remains a record of Minnelli's early stage work.
Overview
Best Foot Forward is a musical comedy that follows a prep school student who invites a Hollywood movie star to attend his prom, with surprising results. The story centers on the humorous situations that arise from the encounter, featuring a score by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane. The 1963 Off-Broadway revival at Stage 73 ran for 224 performances. It was directed and choreographed by Danny Daniels and featured newcomer Liza Minnelli, who won a Theatre World Award, and Christopher Walken.[2]Veronica Lake was a replacement for Paula Wayne as Gale.[3]
Liza Minnelli's performance earned strong notices and led to her inclusion on the Cadence cast album.[4] The release of the original cast album was part of a rare trend at the time for independent labels to issue musical theatre recordings. While labels such as Kapp and Epic occasionally released original cast albums, Cadence's recording of Best Foot Forward represented a notable entry into this niche, demonstrating the label's willingness to invest in theatrical projects and diversify its catalog.[5]
The first single released, "You Are for Loving"/"What Do You Think I Am" (Cadence 1436) was given a B rating by Cash Box. The A-side, "You Are for Loving", was praised as a charming addition to the musical's score, with Liza Minnelli's vocals noted for their resemblance to her mother, Judy Garland, and complemented by an attractive orchestral backing. The B-side was described as a delightful original tune by Martin and Blane, further highlighting the appeal of the single as a whole.[6]
The cast album was one of the final releases by Cadence Records before the label ceased operations in September 1963. Issued as part of Cadence's late venture into original cast recordings, the album marked the label's entry into theatrical recordings following a series of popular pop and comedy releases. According to Cash Box the release highlighted Cadence's reputation for high-quality productions and featured Liza Minnelli in a prominent role, contributing to her early recognition as a recording artist.[7]
In 1977, Stet Records re-released the album with a new cover including the subtitle The Off-Broadway Hit Revival that Introduce Liza Minnelli.[8] In 1982, the album was reissued by Piccadilly (catalog number PiC 3485), with a new cover and titled Best Foot Forward – The Musical Comedy Featuring Liza Minnelli.[9]
Billboard praised Best Foot Forward as a lively off-Broadway revival, highlighting Liza Minnelli's energetic and convincing performance and the spirited ensemble, while noting the limited musical accompaniment typical of such productions.[12]
In his AllMusic review, William Ruhlmann described the album as a barebones rendition of the score, accompanied only by two pianos, but praised Minnelli's performance and also highlighted a strong showing from Ronald Walken (later known as Christopher Walken).[10]
Richard Barrios of Cast Album Reviews described the recording as capturing an energetic young company, noting that Liza Minnelli's debut performance added youthful glow and charm, even if her secondary role slightly shifted the show's balance. Barrios highlighted Paula Wayne in "Hollywood Story" and praised ensemble numbers such as "The Three B's", emphasizing that, despite the modest piano accompaniment, the album successfully conveys the lively, high school musical atmosphere of the production.[11]
Track listing
Best Foot Forward - Side A
No.
Title
Writer(s)
Performers
Length
1.
"Wish I May (Wish I Might)"
Hugh Martin, Ralph Blane
Ensemble
2:48
2.
"Three Men On A Date"
Hugh Martin, Ralph Blane
Glenn Walken, Ronald Walken, Edmund Gaynes
2:48
3.
"Hollywood Story"
Hugh Martin, Ralph Blane
Paula Wayne, Grant Walden
3:48
4.
"The Three 'B's'"
Hugh Martin, Ralph Blane
Liza Minnelli, Kay Cole, Renée Winters
5:29
5.
"Ev'ry Time"
Hugh Martin, Ralph Blane
Karin Wolfe
4:10
6.
"Alive and Kicking"
Hugh Martin, Ralph Blane
Paula Wayne
2:42
7.
"The Guy Who Brought Me"
Hugh Martin, Ralph Blane
Paula Wayne, Grant Walden, Edmund Gaynes
8.
"Shady Lady Bird"
Hugh Martin, Ralph Blane
Karin Wolfe, Edmund Gaynes, Gene Castle, Don Slaton, Paul Charles
2:53
Best Foot Forward - Side B
No.
Title
Writer(s)
Performers
Length
1.
"Buckle Down Winsocki"
Hugh Martin, Ralph Blane
Jack Irwin, Edmund Gaynes, Ensemble
4:07
2.
"You're Lucky"
Hugh Martin, Ralph Blane
Paula Wayne
2:50
3.
"What Do You Think I Am?"
Hugh Martin, Ralph Blane
Edmund Gaynes, Liza Minnelli, Kay Cole, Ronald Walken
3:08
4.
"A Raving Beauty"
Hugh Martin, Ralph Blane
Ronald Walken, Kay Cole
3:10
5.
"Just A Little Joint With A Juke Box"
Hugh Martin, Ralph Blane
Liza Minnelli
2:55
6.
"You Are For Loving"
Hugh Martin, Ralph Blane
Liza Minnelli
5:13
7.
"Reprise: Buckle Down Winsocki"
Hugh Martin, Ralph Blane
Paula Wayne, Ensemble
9:33
Personnel
Credits adapted from Best Foot Forward LP (Cadence, CLP 24012).
↑ Various artists: Best Foot Forward - The Off-Broadway Hit Revival that Introduce Liza Minnelli (Media notes). United States: Stet Records. 1977. DS 15003.
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