Barbara Cook sings The Music Man (vaimusic.com)

[McGarvinStudios]

Her voice is absolutely crystal clear, it's AMAZING!

[kgarmaker123]

This is one wonderful singer.. I mean a real singer! STill sings wonderfully and she is old!

[racdula]

Barbara Cook's name is synonymous with "The Music Man".

She made it what it was and still is, one of the great musicals of all time.

[nanlisa]

The Beatles also did this song as well. I thought that this was a Beatles song.

[WeeworldFamous]

we were born on the same day and i had this part in 6th grade in the Music Man. i feel i'm following her footsteps<33

[Amanster07]

her vibrato is painful

[Judill]

@Amanster07 Her vibrato is arguably perfect, actually. Her tone quality is out of this world.

[MegaAlbaby]

How great to have this footage. Glorious talent. Why Hollywood would never give Cook a chance I'll never know. Shirley Jones? I mean - VANILLA!!!

[MegaAlbaby]

Please don't mention Kristin Chenoweth and Barbara Cook in the same blog. It's like comparing Cocoa Puffs to caviar.

[daveedo10]

LEGEND.

[sovereign87]

barbara cook is a talentless slut

[wattever333]

How can a company which prides itself in archival recordings NOT PUT THE BLOODY DATES of their own clips?!?!?! OMFG!!!

[GELL3334]

there was never a better Marian the librarian- the very first musical I ever saw back in 1958 (?); my dad tool us and complained that the tickets were expensive ($3.50 each) and we sat in the balcony and I cajoled him into giving me a dime for the behind the seat opera glasses to see the stage. Robert Preston, Eddie Hodges and the Buffalo Bills. Meredith Wilson's greatest triumph and Cook was spectaular. Thanks Dad, even if it did cost you a fortune back then

[dmnemaine]

Shirley Jones' rendition of the song in the film version was very pretty, but she simply did not have the depth and color of Barbara Cook's voice.

[gooseywoods]

Just had to share this - certainly one of my favourite singers in the world, brings tears to my eyes.

[BiteMe1132]

I just saw Barbara Cook in Sondheim on Sondheim. She was amazing.

[ecgiuliani]

She is a lovely in person as she is a great singer. Her 80th birthday concert at Lincoln Center was extraordinary. Her voice is still amazing. Not the shadow of what it was, but as terrific as it's always been. What a treasure!

[MusicalFeelings]

Barbara Cook nearing her eighties now I think... is still considered a singer's singer! Her presence on stage even nowadays is mesmerizing. She had the whole of the Sydney Opera House audience feeling breathless in wonder!

[vaimusic]

@MusicalFeelings I couldn't agree with you more!

[MrRichardCrystal]

I am so fahrklempt!!

[etraig]

she's lovely, and what a sweet voice. i love this!

[roccoh21]

What an amazing instrument but I always found her a snore.

[atomik4568]

The Beatles covered this song on their first album. The only song from a musical they ever recorded I believe. Barbra Cook does it better of course...!

[ferrierepc]

Thank you for posting. I have never seen her when she was younger.....just from 'Follies', on. Her voice has gotten better and she still keeps putting out albums, (CD's) and her voice has not waivered a bit. Lovely.

[JubalCalif]

No wonder Barbara Cook was such a huge star on Broadway. What an awesome voice....and a lovely lady & lovely actress. This was certainly delightful footage to watch....THANKS for sharing! :)

[bonfid]

I'm sorry, what was I looking for? The personification of a silver flute played by Angels? Well I've found it.

[paulostroff99]

A legend in her day-and long after! Brava!

[anongoingseries13]

Barbara Cook brings the lyrics to a song right in front of your ears, eyes and nose. Simply genuine. She makes a song so alive and meaningful. Just plain nails it. Beautiful. No one better.

Thanks so much to the poster and Youtube for the millionth time. (I will be thrilled to say it for the trillionth time. Amazing!

[hollysdad]

absolutely beautiful. saw her 4 years ago at the hollywood bowl. staggering how GOOD she still is.

[westminster860]

What a treat to have this captured and shared. At age 53 we pretty much know only Shirley Jones in this role although we know Barbara originated the role with Mr. Preston. Great stuff. Thanks for posting this clip.

[andyb2707]

No matter at what age she recorded, her voice is always so clear and ringing, her enunciation flawless. Its a pleasure to hear her. I loved the recording of her revival of "Showboat" and of course, "Candide".

[UmbrellaWatch]

She has brought a new light to my eyes. I float in my mind as my heart sings in joy for her. SO many things I stop to smile at now. I have never loved another this much. I worship, adore, and oh so cherish her and our moments together. I sigh and love her only more each day. I am soo in love. its sooo true and pure. finally its her. A wonderful woman I have met from all the women in the world. I found her. :).I have this version with Robert in duet. Its beautiful just like my lil heaven. -UW

[shadowmom]

I actually saw Barbara Cook in this Broadway production. She remains one of the great singers ever. She only became better with age...and her concert at age 80 was unbelievable.

[yjkxo]

@shadowmom

I stood in the second balcony SRO section in the spring of 1958 as a 17 yr old. In my mind I can still hear her singing, and the crazy, "sophisticated" NY audience clapping along with the orchestra at the end.

[shadowmom]

@yjkxo I could have been seated right next to you! In 1958 I was a young teacher at a school in the Theater District of Manhattan (54th between 6th and 7th Avenues). It was a small public school - catering to the children of theater folks - and I had free passes to so many shows on Broadway! The 2nd balcony was less than three dollars a ticket...and we scrounged to get to the theater at every opportunity when the passes were unavailable. I was an old lady of 23 in 1958....:-)

[rogharm]

to TAOE i am 64 years old and i grew up and appreciated this great music. try james melton, richard crooks, blanche thebom all on youtube also fra munn and fran luther. these people recorded in the late 20' and 30s's ROGHARM enjoy

[TAOEobsessed]

This is breathtaking. I am only 14, but I long to hear this kind of music today. I firmly believe music was so much more meaningful and lovely decades ago. When I turn on the radio I'd much rather hear songs like these than things from the top 40 charts.

[jmccracken1963]

Thank you VERY, VERY much for sharing this rarity with us!!!! I wore out the grooves on TWO copies of the original cast album listening to ALL the selections before I bought one of my own. This is an OUTSTANDING performance by an OUTSTANDING artist, and it more than stands the test of time. Let's not compare but appreciate THIS performance for what it is!!!!

[poulannz]

After listening to this version I can see why Rebecca Luker is compared to Barbara Cook. Both sing this song beautifully.

[11777766]

Barbara, the soprano lead of the original Broadway production of Music Man with the great Robert Preston, was so young and lovely. Then as she continued her career, today several decades later she has become one of the great singers in NYC, performing in 2007-2009 at the Met and with the NY Philharmonic. Now 80 plus, her glorious voice has only gotten better.  Look for other postings on You Tube of her recent performances. But this early video is a treasure. Thank you for it.

[romanticspirit]

I am Crying.. Her Voice is So Very Beautiful.. I miss This Stuff.. More Love, and Kindness/ Romance/ Musicals.. is what the World Needs NOW!!

[drdalet]

I was surprised to find Barbara Cook's version on YT. She was the first to sing it and performed it on Broadway. The filmversion by Shirley Jones and the famous Beatles version are also here on YT.

[40sSonggirl]

Music used to be so beautiful, lyrical, poetic, with wonderful phrasing and heart. Don't get me wrong, I love some of the music today, I'm only 40, but...well...I guess when I hear something glorious like this what's on the dial today just doesn't compare.

[Rusty3659]

You're wrong - totally wrong for not pulling up Kristen Chenoweth's rendition.

[vaimusic]

Chenoweth's rendition is not a VAI product although I am sure it is quite lovely. The VAIMUSIC channel is exclusively for items published by VAI or distributed by them in the United States.

[Scott3843]

There is more than enough room in this world for BOTH versions. I'm so glad for this rare find. Chenoweth's version is readily available in multiple formats. Cook was the original, and in many ways, the best Marian.

[clarklesparkle]

I'm sorry, but I think there's room on YouTube for both versions.

[henrydaniell]

Not after hearing Ms. Cook really sing it.  No thank you.

[tristanrobin]

glorious!

[DesHouston]

Thanks for posting this - have seen Barbara about 10 times in London over the years - so it's great to see a clip of her in her younger days!!

Looking forward to show no 11 when she sings with the Ulster Orchestra in Belfast on 31 Oct!!

xxx

[LazlosPlane]

Rebecca Luker.

[flyinjenny]

My favorite musical and IMO the best Marian ever. How I wish I could have seen her perform this on stage.

[stanmugs]

Yes, Cook was a better stage performer than Shirley Jones, so that's probably why Cook didn't get the movie role. Think about it--I don't think Cook was in ANY movies, right? She's a stage performer, mostly, and on tv.

[Pacabelle]

As clear as a bell when she sings!!

[fredluver1227]

she is good but shirley jones what better.

[jasonqueue]

Jones has a more pleasing pop-style voice, but Cook is an infinitely better and more nuanced performer, not to mention her voice's unparalleled clarity.

[dyinglikeflies]

Each has their place. Jones had more screen presence and believe it or not some real acting talent. Cook is still, at 81, very charismatic on stage (this from a straight guy who loves going to her shows).

[ronwilliams753]

How delightful to hear the young Barbara, but she is still marvellous at 80. Thank you. Keep posting these great performers.

[MoontideJM]

She should have been in the MOVIE VERSION!!! This and Channing not doing the movie of DOLLY and Lansbury not doing MAME are nothing short of crimes.

[KristinKewi]

lansburby i completly agree, but Shirley Jones was PERFECT for Marian, and channing....well, her speaking voice really bothers me MY GOODNESS!!! Plus im a HUGE streisand fan, and i cant imagine her not in that movie. Thats not to say though that Barbara isnt amazing

[Teach417]

I was lucky enough to see her in The Music Man on Broadway, and she was wonderful. I would have loved to see her in the movie version, but let's face it, given Hollywood's propensity for recasting plays, we're lucky that we got Robert Preston in the movie! (The producers wanted Cary Grant, but he refused, said only Preston could play the part.)

[seanraysf]

Wow, I never realized how much she resembled Debbie Reynolds at that age...Love her.

[obaidkarki]

Thank you Great video. You are a good Youtube community member Keep up with the good work. Don't stop Keep posting your videos Please accept my subscription and YT-Friendship. Best wishes Obaid Karki An Outcast Kabbalist Spinoziste Pantheon Hexalingual Automath Former UAE Under Secretary Independant Street-Knowledge Talkshow Guru. Unaffiliated to a State, an Organized Religion Group, a Sect or a Kin and an Anti Tribal Gentile.

[timmytickles]

how romantic!

[Clayford27]

What a beautiful soprano voice! :)

[soundslikefrank]

Barbara Cook! What a glorious voice, I love her!!

[whispperson]

I like this singer and the song

[6rservices]

LOVE THIS!

[greenfinchgirl]

She's my idol, I love everything about her! Anytime I hear her sing I weep almost instantly. If only one day I could sing half as well as her I would be a star!!!

[chocolatesouljah]

This is wonderful. What a stunning, presence, vocalist. Unfortunate she didn't get to do more film work. Thanks for posting.

[johntlewis]

Thank you! THANK YOU! What a find! Barbara is my fave and this is a real treat from her heyday. Though, she is still great today!

[Somepeople]

She's as marvelous now as she was almost fifty years ago, but it's a treat to see the young Barbara Cook singing a song she rarely sings these days. No one every sang this song better. I like the more soaring ending of the cast album, though...

[willowbarcelona]

thank you so much for posting this. I was a little girl when I saw her and Robert Preston on Broadway in this show. We sat in the first row. I will never forget it. What a lifetime of music Miss Cook has given everyone who loves her. Thank you.

[goodeats4499]

You saw her AND Robert Preston on Broadway??? LUCKY!

[EmilyGreene1984]

I agree! That is amazing you actually got to see them both in the leads on Broadway. :D I agree, Barbara Cook is one of my favourite performers - one of the finest Marians. Thank you so much for uploading this.