Barbara Cook's Broadway doesn't actually document this magnificent singer's engagement on the Great White Way, but instead a Lincoln Center show compiling her favorite musical-theater tunes. Cook includes material from two... more » of her signature shows: "Till There Was You" from The Music Man and a superb four-song suite from She Loves Me (though she doesn't do "Ice Cream"). The rest ranges from standards ("A Wonderful Guy") to underestimated pieces ("His Face" from Carnival). Like Rosemary Clooney before her, Cook has maintained her standing as a singer by reinventing herself from ingenue to supremely elegant and precise stylist. Just listen to her unexpectadly dark-edged version of "The Gentleman Is a Dope" and you'll see how a brilliant interpretive singer can out wring new meaning out of the most familiar material. It's not all about belting, folks. --Elisabeth Vincentelli« less
Barbara Cook's Broadway doesn't actually document this magnificent singer's engagement on the Great White Way, but instead a Lincoln Center show compiling her favorite musical-theater tunes. Cook includes material from two of her signature shows: "Till There Was You" from The Music Man and a superb four-song suite from She Loves Me (though she doesn't do "Ice Cream"). The rest ranges from standards ("A Wonderful Guy") to underestimated pieces ("His Face" from Carnival). Like Rosemary Clooney before her, Cook has maintained her standing as a singer by reinventing herself from ingenue to supremely elegant and precise stylist. Just listen to her unexpectadly dark-edged version of "The Gentleman Is a Dope" and you'll see how a brilliant interpretive singer can out wring new meaning out of the most familiar material. It's not all about belting, folks. --Elisabeth Vincentelli
"With each successive release it gets harder to think of new adjectives to describe Cooks prowess. She is continually improving, ever growing. On this live recording she not only reaches the bar of excellence she has set before, but surpasses it. She is by turns, tragic, comedic, bitter, and tender yet she never looses a beguiling sense of youthfulness.If you saw her recent appearance on 60 Minutes you'll know how seriously she takes her craft. Yet that seriousness never restrains the songs she sings. In fact they seem to fly to heights and areas you'd never have thought of before. This CD is full of such moments. Especially on the songs "The Gentleman Is A Dope", "This Nearly Was Mine" and " A Perfect Relationship". Cook takes time between some songs to relate her thoughts and experiences on Broadway. During one such moment she tells of her dream to have her name in lights. Not just lit up mind you, but in real bulbs. DRG was kind enough to style the CD cover with her name rendered in light bulbs as a consolation until such a time when that dream is realized. I hope she realizes that to all her fans new and old her name will always be in lights."
She Still Has It
Wm Reeves Gilmore | houston, texas United States | 06/25/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"OK .. here we go. I am a FAN. No question, no apology!
I "discovered" Ms. Cook late in life. I was 26 in 1976. Sorry it took me so long. Unabashedly, I have been her's ever since. This latest CD is just another superb example of why I love Barbara.
Who else can or will sing with just a piano and a bass? Not just a piano, but Wally Harper. Thank you Mr. Harper and Mr. Donovan.
Just listen to "This Nearly Was Mine", "His Face", and "In Buddy's Eyes." I challenge you to not be moved. The rest of the selections are icing on a delicious cake. Barbara Cook never disappoints. As I have said before, she is simply the BEST."
A living legend...
Coco Pazzo | Long Beach, CA | 07/03/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"An absolute MUST for musical theatre lover. A trip down memory lane with songs and wonderful anecdotes by one of the last remaining divas of Broadway's golden age. Her rendition of "The Gentleman is a Dope" should be required listening for any cabaret or art song singer- it's simply amazing!"
A Broadway Legend At Her Very Best!
Coco Pazzo | 06/23/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I was very fortunate to have seen Barbara Cook perform this show at the Gielgud Theatre in London. It was a memorable afternoon and this CD captures the show perfectly. Ms Cook just gets better and better every year and she performs a host of unforgettable songs. My favourites include "Wait Till Your'e Sixty Five", "Tonight At Eight", "Perfect Relationship" and "His Face". There is expert backing from her musical director and pianist Wally Harper and the CD has a very generous running time of 77 minutes.I was pleased to find that many of Barbara's anecdotes between songs have been captured on CD as she tells them in such a warm, engaging and informal style. As the majority of tracks start with the song, one can easily move on to the next tune and bypass the stories if required.I cannot praise this CD highly enough and certainly recommend it - it is a class production from a top class act."