The Rhythms and Ballads of Broadway


The Rhythms and Ballads of Broadway is a double album by American pop singer Johnny Mathis that was released in September 1960 by Columbia Records. Despite the order of the words in the title, the ballads actually make up sides one and two while the uptempo numbers fill sides three and four.
The album debuted on Billboard magazine's album chart in the issue dated October 3, 1960, and stayed on the list for 27 weeks, during which time it peaked at number six. it also debuted on the Cashbox albums chart in the issue dated September 24, 1960, and remained on the chart for 37 weeks, peaking at number 18.
Columbia also released the album as two separate LPs in 1960 titled Ballads of Broadway and Rhythms of Broadway. The two-LP set was released for the first time on compact disc on June 7, 1999. The Rhythms and Ballads of Broadway was also included in Legacy's Mathis box set The Voice of Romance: The Columbia Original Album Collection, which was released on December 8, 2017.

Reception

Billboard described it as a "power-packed item, from the chanter's pretty vocalizing, and smart Ralph Burns-Glenn Osser backings, to the attractive, eye-catching cover."

Track listing

The Ballads of Broadway

;Side one
  1. "Moanin' Low" from The Little Show – 3:56
  2. "Fun to Be Fooled" from Life Begins at 8:40 – 4:02
  3. "I Have Dreamed" from The King And I – 4:04
  4. "On the Sunny Side of the Street" from Lew Leslie's International Revue – 3:57
  5. "My Romance" from Jumbo – 3:10
  6. "Dancing on the Ceiling" from Ever Green – 3:54
;Side two
  1. "I Married an Angel" from I Married an Angel – 3:48
  2. "Isn't It a Pity?" from Pardon My English – 3:55
  3. "Spring Is Here" from I Married an Angel – 3:48
  4. "Don't Blame Me" from Clowns in Clover – 4:38
  5. "Taking a Chance on Love" from Cabin in the Sky – 3:33
  6. "The Party's Over" from Bells Are Ringing – 4:01

The Rhythms of Broadway

;Side three
  1. "Everything's Coming Up Roses" from Gypsy: A Musical Fable – 2:51
  2. "Guys and Dolls" from Guys and Dolls – 3:00
  3. "I Wish I Were in Love Again" from Babes in Arms – 3:36
  4. "You Do Something to Me" from Fifty Million Frenchmen – 3:05
  5. "Let's Misbehave" from You Never Know – 2:46
  6. "I Could Have Danced All Night" from My Fair Lady – 3:01
;Side four
  1. "A Cock-Eyed Optimist" from South Pacific – 2:33
  2. "I Just Found Out About Love" from Strip for Action – 3:12
  3. "Let's Do It (Let's Fall in Love)" from Paris – 3:50
  4. "I Am in Love" from Can-Can – 4:15
  5. "Love Eyes" from Whoop-Up – 2:32
  6. "Love Is a Gamble" from American Motors Industrial Show – 2:35

Recording dates

From the liner notes for The Voice of Romance: The Columbia Original Album Collection:
  • April 4, 1960 — "I Have Dreamed", "Isn't It a Pity?"
  • April 7, 1960 — "Dancing on the Ceiling", "I Married an Angel", "Moanin' Low", "My Romance", "On the Sunny Side of the Street", "The Party's Over", "Spring Is Here"
  • April 8, 1960 — "Don't Blame Me", "Taking a Chance on Love"
  • May 17, 1960 — "Guys and Dolls", "I Am in Love", "I Just Found Out About Love", "I Wish I Were in Love Again"
  • May 19, 1960 — "Everything's Coming Up Roses", "Fun to Be Fooled", "Love Is a Gamble"
  • May 20, 1960 — "A Cock-Eyed Optimist", "I Could Have Danced All Night", "Let's Misbehave", "You Do Something to Me"
  • May 23, 1960 — "Let's Do It ", "Love Eyes"

Personnel