Entitled "Ethel Merman: The World Is Your Balloon," the 20-track disc features a mix of pop tunes and novelty songs as well as several works from such Broadway musicals as Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and Flahooley. The new recording also boasts eight duets with Ray Bolger and three with Jimmy Durante. The complete track listing for "Ethel Merman: The World Is Your Balloon" follows:
"A Little Girl From Little Rock"
"Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend"
"Dearie"
"I Said My Pajamas (And Put on My Prayers)"
"It's So Nice to Have a Man Around the House"
"(If I Knew You Were Comin') Id've Baked a Cake"
"Calico Sal"
"She's Shimmyin' On the Beach Again"
"Hawaii"
"Ukelele Lady"
"The Lake Song (Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagunggamaugg)"
"Don't Believe It"
"Once Upon a Nickel"
"Oldies"
"Love Is the Reason"
"The World Is Your Balloon"
"Make the Man Love Me"
"You Say the Nicest Things"
"A Husband — A Wife"
"If You Catch a Little Cold (I'll Sneeze for You)"
Ethel Merman made her Broadway debut in 1930 in Girl Crazy. She was one of the biggest Broadway stars of her era, a woman whose name became synonymous with the musical theatre. Her many other theatrical credits include George White's Scandals; Take a Chance; Anything Goes; Red, Hot and Blue; Stars in Your Eyes; DuBarry Was a Lady; Panama Hattie; Something for the Boys; Annie Get Your Gun; Call Me Madam; Happy Hunting; Gypsy and Hello, Dolly!
Merman was nominated for Tony Awards for her performances in Gypsy and Happy Hunting and won the Tony for her work in Call Me Madam. She also received a Special Tony Award in 1972. Merman died Feb. 15, 1984.
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