“Chain
of Love”
Composers.
Claibe Richardson and Kenward Elmslie
Complete
original cast recording, 1971
Composers:
Claibe Richardson and Kenward Elmslie
Performers:
Cast and Barbara Cook
Stolen
songs from the last performance of the musical, 1971
Composers:
Claibe Richardson and Kenward Elmslie
Performer:
Barbara Cook
Composers:
Claibe Richardson and Kenward Elmslie
Performer:
Susan Watson, 1979
Composers:
Claibe Richardson and Kenward Elmslie
Performer:
Haley Jane
The great stand-out, however, is “Chain of
Love,” which isn’t even titled that in the list of original songs in the current
listings. But anyone who has sung it, including Cook and Susan Watson has titled
it that in their wonderful appearances.
Of
course, Cook sings it best, but it has yet to be discovered by hundreds of
others who might turn its beautiful lyrics and music into something else. This
is a musical just waiting to be rediscovered. With lyrics that Elmslie wonderfully
created, how can you not fall in love with Dolly Talbo, even if she has never
herself discovered it for herself:
If
love is a chain of love
As
nature is a chain of love
With
link after link after link
Then
I’ve always been in love I think.
…..
Yet,
I’ve always been in love I guess.
The
sad after thoughts of “I think,” and “I guess” represent Dolly’s impossible
comprehension of what she has been missing, even though she truly realizes it
in simply the “links” of her relationships with other human beings. And her
final determination to take to the trees in protest for what has been denied
her, is so brilliantly expressed her new comprehension that love something more
that she has quite experienced, represents what this performance is all about.
Why the critics so abused this lovely, if slight, musical is incomprehensible. This
musical should be celebrated, not shunned and even less forgotten.
Los Angeles,
December 31, 2017
No comments:
Post a Comment