An American in Paris (soundtrack)
| An American in Paris | |
|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by | |
| Released | 31 September 1951[1] |
| Label | MGM |
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Billboard | 88/100[2] |
| AllMusic |   [3] |
| AllMusic | (reissue, 2-CD set)[4] |
The original soundtrack to the 1951 film An American in Paris was released by MGM Records in three formats: as a set of four 10-inch 78-rpm shellac records, as a set of four 7-inch EPs, and as a 10-inch long-play record. It contained songs sung by Gene Kelly and Georges Guétary and "An American in Paris" ballet music performed by Johnny Green and the MGM Studio Orchestra.[5][6]
For the 78-rpm and EP formats, the ballet was divided into four sides.
Billboard reviewed the album in its issue from 6 October 1951, giving it 88 points out of 100 (which indicated an "excellent" rating) and writing: "Highlight of the set, as it is of the movie, is Gershwin's 'An American in Paris' set for a ballet. On the record, it is done in an abortive arrangement by Saul Chaplin. The general public will probably not know or worry about it but the connosieurs will certainly shudder at this treatment. What's left of it is played with broad humor, which it demands, and spirit, tho without subtlety. The remaining selections are done with style and grace by stars Gene Kelly and Georges Guetary. Songs, of course, are great Gershwin."[2]
The album spent several weeks at number 1 on the 33⅓ R.P.M. half of the Billboard's Best Selling Albums chart.[13]
Track listing
[edit]10-inch long-play record (MGM Records E-93)
| No. | Title | Artist(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "'S Wonderful" | Gene Kelly and Georges Guétary | |
| 2. | "Love Is Here to Stay" | Gene Kelly | |
| 3. | "I'll Build a Stairway to Paradise" | Georges Guétary | |
| 4. | "I Got Rhythm" | Gene Kelly |
| No. | Title | Artist(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "An American in Paris Ballet" | Johnny Green and the MGM Studio Orchestra |
References
[edit]- ^ "Billboard". 25 August 1951.
- ^ a b "Billboard". 6 October 1951.
- ^ "An American in Paris [Original Motion Picture ... | AllMusic". AllMusic.
- ^ "An American in Paris [Original Motion Picture ... | AllMusic". AllMusic.
- ^ "Various - an American in Paris". Discogs. 1951.
- ^ Film and TV Music. National Film Music Council. 1951.
- ^ Joel Whitburn's Billboard Pop Hits, Singles & Albums, 1940-1954. Record Research. 2002. ISBN 978-0-89820-152-9.
- ^ "Billboard". 26 April 1952.
- ^ "Billboard". 12 January 1952.
- ^ "Billboard". 3 May 1952.
- ^ "Billboard". 19 January 1952.
- ^ "Billboard". 9 February 1952.
- ^ [7][8][9][10][11][12]