Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves...
S. Sittig | Washington, D.C. | 06/16/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Ann Hampton and Liz Callaway have been well-known by Broadway and Cabaret afficionados for years. This CD, recorded live at the Rainbow & Stars in 1995 is a wonderful showcase for older sister Ann's deep jazz-tinged crooning and younger sister Liz's clear-bell Broadway soprano. Together or apart, their singing is definitely top notch.Highlights are "The Huge Medley Parts 1 & 2" where the sisters go through a medley of every song that was recommended them by friends and colleagues who knew they were doing a show together. It's hilarious! Also, their "jealousy-tinged" version of "Friendship" is good for several laughs at the expense of sibling-rivalry and "The Nanny Named Fran" is also an example of how even a sitcom theme can sound classy if approached with creativity and elan.However, the CD has a few clunkers and they mostly occur when the sisters sing solo. While Ann Hampton does wonders with a medley of "My Buddy" and "Old Friend", she loses my interest with "Rhythm in My Nursery Rhymes". It's less about her scat singing (which is quite good), and more about the dullness of the song itself. Little sis Liz fares no better with the tepid Frank Loesser tune "My Heart is So Full of You", although she does ignite some sparks with her take on Stephen Schwartz's "Meadowlark". Suprisingly, what would seem to be the most suitable duet on the album, Stephen Sondheim's "Our Time" (from the wonderfully difficult show MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG) sounds tired and lackluster. But the sisters soon rebound with a brilliant English version (a capella no less!) of Michel Legrand's "You Must Believe In Spring", from Jacques Demy's wonderful film LES DESMOISELLES DE ROCHEFORT.Overall, a great CD, that despite a few low points, is still pretty fun to listen to and an important addition to any musical theatre fan's collection."
Excellent Entertainment
Kari M. Steenberg | Apple Valley, MN United States | 12/26/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I have been a fan of Liz Callaway's for quite awhile but had never been introduced to Ann Hampton Callaway's music. This CD was a perfect introduction.These are two very talented ladies. The CD covers all the musical bases from sweet to heart-tugging to jazzy to humerous. Their sibling interaction and the rendition of the music suggested to them is especially funny and entertaining.I highly recommed this for any music lover's collection."
Extraordinary Cabaret Album from NYC's Best Love Sisters
Scott Cain | 11/03/1998
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Although very different in vocal styles, the voices of Ann Hampton and Liz Callaway blend together in amazing harmony on the album. Recorded live at Rainbow and Stars this album gives you a true feeling of being in a cabaret, and seeing how artists weave their story through music and words."