Listen No. 25 - Ethel Merman in Annie Get Your Gun

Record number 25: Ethel Merman in Annie Get Your Gun

Genre: Musical theatre 

Context: A set of 78s from Decca Records, and released in 1946. 

Notable facts: Ethel Merman, also known as ‘The Merm’, was one of the biggest figures in Broadway. She never had voice lessons, and learned to sing before microphones were used. Often described as having a brassy, big voice, Merman said, in 1965. ‘...at least you know what I’m singing. I think that I’m really better off with my own built-in microphone.’ 

My favourite track: Anything You Can Do or Moonshine Lullaby 

What critics made of it: Very well-received. For lots of interesting detail on the musical itself, and versions down the years, see this.

Listening to this inspired me to: listen to some more of ‘The Merm.’ - I like her voice.