Playbill Records is pleased to announce the signing of Tony Award-winning singer-actress Betty Buckley, and the release of the first of two Buckley recordings: the never-before-released "Betty Buckley 1967".
To celebrate the release of the "Betty Buckley 1967" CD, this special limited-edition 12 inch vinyl LP has been produced to commemorate the occasion.
"Betty Buckley 1967" was recorded by the Tony-winning Cats star in Fort Worth, TX, when she was 19. She was accompanied by musicians Charlie Baxter, John Monaghan and Wayland Smajstrala; T Bone Burnett engineered the recording. The 11-track album reveals a voice whose beauty is second to none, one that is filled with optimism and joy.
In the liner notes for the disc, Buckley wrIt's, "We made this recording as an archive and because my Mom felt we needed it. We went to T Bone Burnett. His was the only recording studio in town. His Mom Hazel Vernon and my Mom were friends. . . . It is remarkable how deftly he engineered this recording. The dynamic spread of my voice wasn't even an issue. Also I marvel at the fact that we, the trio of musicians and I, just walked in and recorded this straight down without a problem, without second takes and overdubs.
"When you're young you just don't know any better and it all came out pretty all right. I didn't think anything about it at all. I sent one copy to Rodger Hess who was an agent at International Famous Agency who had signed me after my appearance as a guest entertainer in the Miss America Pageant that fall. It was a Christmas gift, a thank you for his belief in my talent. The other copy I gave to my boyfriend and its conflicted message about love and us was clear, at least to me. I wonder if he kept it."
In separate liner notes, Playbill.com senior editor Andrew Gans says, "From the moment the recording begins with Bye Bye Birdie's "One Boy"; one can't help being uplifted by the joyous sounds of Buckley's voice. Just listen to the ease in which the notes pour out of her or the way she effortlessly switches from bigger sounds to more gentle ones. She may have only been 19, but Buckley was already imbuing her singing with an actress' sensibilities, and her phrasing and musicality were well beyond her years (check out her wonderful version of "They Can't Take That Away From Me"). Even her song list is surprisingly eclectic for a teenager: a mix of Broadway ballads, standards, pop songs and even a tune in Spanish."
"Betty Buckley 1967" is produced by Betty Lynn Buckley. Executive producers are Philip S. Birsh and Richard Jay-Alexander.
The complete track listing for "Betty Buckley 1967" follows:
"One Boy"
"C'est Magnifique"
"Quando Calienta El Sol" ("Love Me With All of Your Heart")
"They Can't Take That Away From Me"
"They Were You"
"Call Me"
"I Wanna Be Free"
"Where Is Love?"
"Who Can I Turn To?"
"My Funny Valentine"
"When I Fall in Love"