The Good Companions: Original London Cast

They Say...

Review by Bruce Eder, All Music Guide

This musical adaptation of J.B. Priestley's third novel -- which had previously been adapted to the stage as a straight play by Priestley and Edward Knoblock (of Kismet fame) -- dates from 1974. The work was already a nostalgia-laden piece in its own time, and composer André Previn and lyricist Johnny Mercer only pushed the envelope further in their adaptation and delivered a highly inspired score, highlighted by the romping "The Pools: All Mucked Up/The Pools/Aye Lad," the ravishing ballads "The Pleasure of Your Company" and "Dance of Life," the ebullient "All Points Beyond," and the haunting "Darkest Before Dawn." There's a lot more to the score, but those are more than enough to justify owning this cast recording, especially as it captures the charming performances of John Mills, Judi Dench, Christopher Gable, and Marti Jones, as well as the lively and inventive musical direction of Marcus Dods. This is a very English work, as one might expect, but the performances at their best -- as in "Darkest Before Dawn" -- transcend those origins. The CD comes with decent jacket notes as well, giving a good history of the work and its sources, and the only caveat that can be cited about it is that, in at least one case, there was what appeared to be an unplanned pause in the midst of "The Pools," which seems to have been in the digital master, rather than the result of a pressing or plant defect. But even that is such a minor distraction that one can safely recommend any copy of this show that comes your way.