King Kong - All African Jazz Opera

Original GALP 1040 issue includes a lyric sheet insert. Original cast production of "King Kong" opened at the WITS Great Hall in Johannesburg on February 2, 1959. The London cast production opened at the Princes Theatre in London on February 23, 1961. There are at least four different recordings of the production. Mono and stereo recordings by the original cast are different recordings with different matrices. Mono version recorded with the full original cast in Johannesburg on January 26, 1959. (ABC 17346/17347) Stereo version recorded again with the full original cast in Johannesburg on July 7, 1959. (ABC 17701/17702) Both mono and stereo versions of the original cast recordings feature Miriam Makeba as "Joyce". The 1961 London cast recordings are separate later performances featuring Peggy Phango as "Joyce" instead of Miriam Makeba. There are two versions of the London cast recordings. The first version was recorded in Johannesburg before the cast left for London. The second version was recorded in London during the time of the performance. There are mono and stereo versions of both the London cast recordings. Mono version recorded with the full London cast in Johannesburg around late December, 1960. (ABC 19759/19760; CPL 2256/2257) Stereo version recorded with the full London cast in Johannesburg around late December, 1960. (ZCPL 2256/2257) Mono version recorded with the full London cast in London in February, 1961. (CPL 2282/2283) Stereo version recorded with the full London cast in London in February, 1961. (ZCPL 2282/2283) The four different recordings can be determined by their matrix numbers or by listening to the opening track: Version 1: (ABC 17346/17347) Mono - Slow horn intro, downbeat. Version 2: (ABC 17701/17702) Stereo - Isolated upbeat fanfare horns, followed by slow horn. Version 3: (ABC 19759/19760; CPL 2256/2257; ZCPL 2256/2257) Mono and Stereo - Drumroll followed by upbeat fanfare horns. Version 4: (CPL 2282/2283; ZCPL 2282/2283) Mono and Stereo - Bright upbeat fanfare horns backed by quieter drumroll.