Carol Channing

AMG Review of Carol Channing

JT Griffith
All Music Guide

Carol Channing's 1961 self-titled album contains live recordings of her cabaret act, called Show Girl. Released three years before her performance in Hello Dolly!, Carol Channing includes some of her greatest hits up to that point. Included are three songs from 1949's Gentlemen Prefer Blondes: "Little Girl From Little Rock," "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend," and "Bye Bye Baby." "The Yahoo Step" is included here, as it is on her Jazz Baby album. It was reissued in 1979 as On Tour; both are out of print. This is worth it for Channing's effervescent, upbeat performance. The material, especially the comedy, is fun but not outstanding. This album underscores the need for a contemporary collection of Channing's best material and performances. The collector putting together that set would need this LP for that task.