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Big River: The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn (1985 Original Broadway Cast) | 
 enlarge | Artist: Roger Miller
Label: Decca U.S.
Category: Music
List Price: $11.98
Buy New: $10.99
You Save: $0.99 (8%)
New (33) Used (14) Collectible (7) from $6.98
Rating:  53 reviews
Sales Rank: 14774
Format: Cast Recording
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.1
Dimensions (in): 5.8 x 4.7 x 0.6
MPN: 6147
UPC: 076732614723
EAN: 0076732614723
ASIN: B000002O4T
Release Date: October 25, 1990
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Tracks:
| • | Overture | | • | Do Ya Wanna Go To Heaven? | | • | The Boys | | • | Waitin' For The Light To Shine | | • | Guv'ment | | • | Hand For The Hog | | • | I, Huckleberry, Me | | • | Muddy Water | | • | The Crossing | | • | River In The Rain | | • | When The Sun Goes Down In The South | | • | Entracte | | • | The Royal Nonesuch | | • | Worlds Apart | | • | Arkansas/How Blest We Are | | • | You Oughta Be Here With Me | | • | Leavin's Not The Only way To Go | | • | Waitin' For The Light To Shine (Reprise) | | • | Free At Last | | • | Muddy Water (Reprise) |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
This unjustly forgotten masterpiece was in many ways the last great creative gasp for the late, great country songwriter-singer Roger Miller, who died in 1992. After he wrote countless country gems like "Invitation to the Blues," "King of the Road," and "Dang Me" during the 1950s and '60s, Miller's creative muse ran dry in the early 1970s. The drought continued until he made a remarkable comeback by penning the 20-song score and contributing vocals to the soundtrack of this 1985 Broadway adaptation of Mark Twain's literary classic. Big River still stands as a dazzling, heartwarming slice of musical Americana and the final crowning achievement in one of country music's most celebrated careers. --Bob Allen
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| Customer Reviews: Read 48 more reviews...
One of my favorite musicals October 4, 2008
This is absolutely one of my very favorite musicals. Roger Miller's music fits the novel, Huckleberry Finn, perfectly. I used the music in a high school English class after teaching the novel, and the students loved it. There's a little something for everyone here.
Great Music and Lyrics July 14, 2008
I love this cd. Our local theatre group is doing the show and it has helped me learn the music. I would love to see it on Broadway.
 fantastic music and lyrics June 9, 2008
I saw a production of Big River at a local theatre and absolutely loved it! I remember a couple of songs from when it first came out and that Roger Miller had penned the songs, but didn't think much about until I saw the play.
The next day I purchased the cd and it has become one of my favorites. The ballad songs are so well thought out and not overly sentimental. The melodies are great.
The actor/singers were phenomenal. I can't believe it took me this long to discover this little gem.
Some of the songs were a little corny and colloquial, but I pass them by and listen to the good stuff.
l would recommend it to a select audience of people who like broadway musicals, or just if they are interested in some good melodies and lyrics.
Musical theater at its best August 19, 2007
This musical is really a monumental achievement. I find it difficult to believe that I only happened upon this recording relatively recently. It is definitely underappreciated or at least under recognized/popular.
Here we have the great American novel by Mark Twain distilled and presented by the musical and lyrical talent of Roger Miller. I am no fan of country music, but I do love other forms of "indigenous" American music. Many forms of classic Americana are celebrated within this musical. In fairness, a couple of the songs are simply throwaway in my opinion (e.g. Guv'ment [I could do without John Goodman's rant], The Royal Nonesuch). They are relevant to the plot but do nothing for the greatness of the score. Otherwise, we have a Dixieland delight (When the Sun Goes Down in the South), a couple of beautiful and soulful spirituals (The Crossing, How Blest We Are), a few funny ditties (Hand for the Hog, Arkansas, The Boys), and more. Though I do not like country, a couple songs are undeniably from that genre (You Oughta Be Here With Me, River in the Rain) yet they are so wonderful and catchy I love even them. A couple ballads are exquisite (Worlds Apart, Leavin's Not the Only Way to Go) - I mean these songs are achingly beautiful; just phenomenal. The soulful Muddy Water and Free at Last are also quite exceptional.
The story concerns the relationship between a country boy (Huck) and a runaway slave (Jim). At its heart, though, the story is one of self-discovery or self-fulfillment for Huck in particular. We first encounter him being told by everyone from church members to Tom Sawyer how he should live his life (Do You Wanna Go to Heaven). As he strikes out on his own, he must determine who he wants to be, or who he truly is (I, Huckleberry, Me). Through his experiences with Jim and others, he chooses his path. In a moment of defiance, he crosses his point of no return and fully commits himself to his "destiny" (Waitin' for the Light to Shine). It is a powerful and powerfully moving experience.
The entire cast does an exceptional job (I would personally omit John Goodman, but I am willing to attribute that to a personal quirk). The actors wonderfully fit their characters. Special mention must be made, however, of Ron Richardson who portrays Jim. He plays the part perfectly. I cannot fathom any other voice in this role. Such soul! Every song he sings is just marvelous.
Perhaps I am more moved than others would be due to my own southern upbringing. Perhaps this musical in both its score and plot strike a chord with me not present in all others. Be that as it may, I cannot recommend this CD enthusiastically enough. Just to be able to experience Worlds Apart is alone reason enough to purchase this wonderful recording ("I see the same skies through brown eyes that you see through blue, but we're worlds apart... world's apart"). Do yourself a favor and pick it up.
Just wondering August 11, 2007
This isn't a review, but a fact finding mission. I just ordered the CD and have read other people's comments. Can anyone tell me why this play is rarily, or never performed? There always is a reason. How many main characters are there, not including the town folks or chorus? If a person wanted to perform this, and wanted to assure that 50 of his closest friends would be on stage, would this be possible, or would it look like he was trying to fill up the stage with people? I'll do some digging on Google in the mean time.
Thanks!
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