One of my favorite musicals
This is absolutely one of my very favorite musicals. Roger Miller's music fits the novel, Huckleberry Finn, perfectly. I used the music in a high school English class after teaching the novel, and the students loved it. There's a little something for everyone here.

Great Music and Lyrics
I love this cd. Our local theatre group is doing the show and it has helped me learn the music. I would love to see it on Broadway.

fantastic music and lyrics
I saw a production of Big River at a local theatre and absolutely loved it! I remember a couple of songs from when it first came out and that Roger Miller had penned the songs, but didn't think much about until I saw the play.
The next day I purchased the cd and it has become one of my favorites. The ballad songs are so well thought out and not overly sentimental. The melodies are great.
The actor/singers were phenomenal. I can't believe it took me this long to discover this little gem.
Some of the songs were a little corny and colloquial, but I pass them by and listen to the good stuff.
l would recommend it to a select audience of people who like broadway musicals, or just if they are interested in some good melodies and lyrics.

Truly a masterpiece...
Before I randomly stumbled upon a touring production of this amazing musical, I had never heard of Roger Miller and was relatively unfamiliar with Twain's "Huckleberry Finn." So I'm not writing this review as a big fan of either, though I have read some of Twain's other works. I'm writing because I immediately fell in love with "Big River."

Honestly, I don't think there is a weak song on the entire disc. However, several are particularly strong. My personal favorites are "Waitin' For the Light to Shine," "I, Huckleberry, Me," "Muddy Water," "River in the Rain," and "Leavin's Not the Only Way to Go." The music is simply brilliant, the lyrics are appropriately Twainish, and the performances are amazing. The men who play the characters of Huck Finn and Jim are particularly noteworthy. Their voices perfectly fit their characters, and they nail these very difficult songs. Honestly, the vocal range for both of them is amazing. And what a cool little treat to hear John Goodman singing the aggravating "Guv'ment," a very different role and genre than his more familiar work on TV and films.

This is truly a classic musical, and this disc certainly does justice to it. The original production must have been almost magical, but I'd encourage anyone with an opportunity to see a live production to do it. Immediately after I saw "Big River," it became one of my all-time favorite musicals.

Musical theater at its best
This musical is really a monumental achievement. I find it difficult to believe that I only happened upon this recording relatively recently. It is definitely underappreciated or at least under recognized/popular.

Here we have the great American novel by Mark Twain distilled and presented by the musical and lyrical talent of Roger Miller. I am no fan of country music, but I do love other forms of "indigenous" American music. Many forms of classic Americana are celebrated within this musical. In fairness, a couple of the songs are simply throwaway in my opinion (e.g. Guv'ment [I could do without John Goodman's rant], The Royal Nonesuch). They are relevant to the plot but do nothing for the greatness of the score. Otherwise, we have a Dixieland delight (When the Sun Goes Down in the South), a couple of beautiful and soulful spirituals (The Crossing, How Blest We Are), a few funny ditties (Hand for the Hog, Arkansas, The Boys), and more. Though I do not like country, a couple songs are undeniably from that genre (You Oughta Be Here With Me, River in the Rain) yet they are so wonderful and catchy I love even them. A couple ballads are exquisite (Worlds Apart, Leavin's Not the Only Way to Go) - I mean these songs are achingly beautiful; just phenomenal. The soulful Muddy Water and Free at Last are also quite exceptional.

The story concerns the relationship between a country boy (Huck) and a runaway slave (Jim). At its heart, though, the story is one of self-discovery or self-fulfillment for Huck in particular. We first encounter him being told by everyone from church members to Tom Sawyer how he should live his life (Do You Wanna Go to Heaven). As he strikes out on his own, he must determine who he wants to be, or who he truly is (I, Huckleberry, Me). Through his experiences with Jim and others, he chooses his path. In a moment of defiance, he crosses his point of no return and fully commits himself to his "destiny" (Waitin' for the Light to Shine). It is a powerful and powerfully moving experience.

The entire cast does an exceptional job (I would personally omit John Goodman, but I am willing to attribute that to a personal quirk). The actors wonderfully fit their characters. Special mention must be made, however, of Ron Richardson who portrays Jim. He plays the part perfectly. I cannot fathom any other voice in this role. Such soul! Every song he sings is just marvelous.

Perhaps I am more moved than others would be due to my own southern upbringing. Perhaps this musical in both its score and plot strike a chord with me not present in all others. Be that as it may, I cannot recommend this CD enthusiastically enough. Just to be able to experience Worlds Apart is alone reason enough to purchase this wonderful recording ("I see the same skies through brown eyes that you see through blue, but we're worlds apart... world's apart"). Do yourself a favor and pick it up.