THE KING AND I

Often, when cast recordings are released, there are snips here and there, usually of underscoring or dance music. Rarely does a number fundamental to the score get left out of recordings completely, but that’s exactly what happens to “The Small House of Uncle Thomas” almost every single time the show is recorded. I thought I’d try out the MP3 search on Amazon to try and find out how many different recorded versions of the number there are. Here goes!

MP3s

“The Small House of Uncle Thomas” – 1956 Film Soundtrack (12:58)

“The Small House of Uncle Thomas” – 1964 Lincoln Center Cast Recording (08:26)

“The Small House of Uncle Thomas” – Jerome Robbins’ Broadway Recording (13:43)

Albums Only

“The Small House of Uncle Thomas” – 1994 London Studio Cast Recording (16:25)

“The Small House of Uncle Thomas” – 2000 London Revival Cast Recording

The length of the track on the the London Revival album does not seem to be readily available. The only other recording on which the number seems to be available is a rare Japanese cast recording from 1996, which is available here.

So there are a few versions of this pivotal number from The King and I available. Anyone got a favourite?