John Raitt - Original Album Series

John Raitt possessed one of the most iconic voices in Broadway history. In a career that crossed seven decades and encompassed every aspect of entertainment, his legacy is unmatched. Stage Door's 'Original Album Series' collates four of John Raitt's original studio albums recorded between 1955-1960. The set opens with 'Highlights Of Broadway', originally released in 1955, the album appropriately opens with a powerful rendering of the 'Soliloquy' from 'Carousel', recorded a decade after Raitt first originated the song on Broadway. The album features a selection of the most popular Broadway standards from the 1940s and 50s, including songs from 'Finian's Rainbow', 'Kiss Me, Kate', 'Kismet' and more. The compilation continues with Raitt's 1956 Latin inspired offering 'Mediterranean Magic'; an album Billboard described as a "prolonged ear treat" and "a natural for devotees to the Latin romance and heartbreak school of listening". In 1958, Raitt recorded the folk themed collection 'Under Open Skies' which included an eclectic repertoire, drawing on stirring folk ballads like 'Sail Ho!' and 'El Bandido' to Broadway numbers from 'Carousel' and 'Paint Your Wagon'. Concluding the 'Original Album Series' is Raitt's 1960 studio album 'Songs The Kids Brought Home From Camp' which, as the title suggests, features an entertaining and spirited trawl through popular and memorable "sing-a-long" camp song favourites. The 'Original Album Series' 2CD set is further enhanced with a wealth of bonus material, including selections from Raitt's stunning 1969 studio album 'Today' and a 1962 recording collaboration with jazz musician Lionel Hampton. This release features a foreword by John Raitt's daughter, award-winning singer and musician Bonnie Raitt, who reflects; "Dad lived one of the most fulfilled lives on and off stage that I've ever known. His gift to us, that magnificent, glorious voice and talent is matched only by the expansiveness of his huge, magnificent, joyful and loving spirit. Our family is thrilled to share that spirit with you once again. "The album release coincides with the 75th anniversary of Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical 'Carousel' opening on Broadway. Creating the iconic role of Billy Bigelow in April 1945, John Raitt was launched to international stardom with The New York Times later proclaiming; "he came to epitomize a new distinctively modern breed of Broadway leading man". John Raitt, very simply, changed Broadway history.