SONGS OF RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN; Samuel Ramey, bass; National Philharmonic, Peter Matz conducting. EMI 7 49581 2 (compact disc).

Ramey admirably lightens his sound for such numbers as “June is bustin’ out allover!” and “The surrey with the fringe on top.” “A fellow needs a girl” and “Some enchanted evening” are genuinely touching. But in such muscular, treacly numbers as “Climb ev’ry mountain” and “You’ll never walk alone” he sounds for all the world like one of Verdi’s fathers or priests singing in an English translation. Still, for show-tune aficionados the disc is worth having.