Six bonus tracks include a new version of the grocery checker song written for the 1999 L.A. Theatreworks production, Carnelia and Grant performing their own songs (unfortunately, Grant's track comes from a poor-quality audio source), and Schwartz's moving performance of "Fathers and Sons" from 1999's The Stephen Schwartz Album. Also welcome are 2001 notes from Schwartz paired with 1978 notes from Terkel, and a detailed listing of the composers and performers of each song. Working was filmed for American Playhouse in 1982. --David Horiuchi

And I still love it on this CD. The premise of the show is simple -- it's about real people telling us what they do for a living and what they like or dislike about their work. Their stories based on Stud Turkel's original interviews are told here in words and songs. And the music and lyrics used to do this covers a wide variety of styles; since they were created by six very talented people. However, each of them does what most songs created for the stage fail to do these days. They tell you who the character is and why he or she is in the show! That's what made this show great.

Back when I bought the original LP of this show, I felt that some of the numbers I saw on stage had not made it to the album. Since I lost my program on the flight back to Saint Louis, actually the airline sent the whole bag to the Bermuda Triangle, I was never able to compare the song listing from the show to the album. This CD give you several bonus tracks of songs performed by the composers They're nice, but the show versions are better.

Congrats, to Bruce Kimmel and his new label for providing us with this lost gem. Now, I wonder if he could come up with a CD of the complete Broadway recording of the Hal Prince revival of Candide, which Sony Columbia has failed to do so far..

And if you really like WORKING, you might want to get the video of the American Playhouse version of the show. It is highly abridged and it lacks the dynamic unit set and staging of the Broadway show but the second half is really unbeatable theatre! I think Amazon offers it, too.


AWESOME!   July 15, 2001
Ellen Watson (Wilton, Ct. United States)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

I love this soundtrack, because I did the play working last year, i was a Cleanin' Women and i loved the song! The soundtrack is awesome, and it makes you wanna get up and dance! I hada blastr doing the playu nad i love listening to the cd and looking back on all the great memories i have of doing working!


Finally on CD   July 21, 2001
Robert G Levy (Shippenville, PA United States)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

I have waited years for this to be issued on CD, and finally. Each of the songs stands on its own and while some of the James Taylor pieces may be more poignent on his "Dad Loves His Work" album, it's good to hear them again in the context of the show.

The late 70's rising string orchestrations may seem cheesy to a modern listener, but they placed me squarely in 1978 when I first heard the show. A must for any serious collector of musicals, and any fan of the work of Mr. Schwartz.


A wonderful musical based on the book by Studs Terkel   July 22, 2001
Kara Lynn (Utah, United States)
3 out of 4 found this review helpful

I am so excited that there is finally a CD recording of this musical. Three years ago I was introduced to this play and its wonderful music when I made the cast of my high school's production. It was one of the most memorable experiences of my high school career, partly from the play itself and its songs. Anyone who's ever had a job can relate to what the characters are saying and feeling; after all, the characters in the play are taken from real people whom Studs Terkel interviewed. The songs of each of the characters get their message across while also just being great songs to sing and dance to. I love this musical! Thank you for giving it to us on a CD at last!


Fabulous Return of One of the Best   July 26, 2001
Lyle Swallow (Concord, California United States)
3 out of 4 found this review helpful

This is by far one of the true gems of musicl theatre! The music and lyrics are inciteful and still timely. The original cast recording is well performed with just the right edge where it is needed. You don't have to know the show to love the music. My tape of the original LP release is almost worn out and I am thrilled this is available again.