BARBARA COOKS (OR IS THAT SIZZLES?), THEN DISHES OUT THE BES
Alan W. Petrucelli | THE ENTERTAINMENT REPORT (ALAN W. PETRUCELLI) | 10/25/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"What's cooking?
Who else?
Barbara Cook, that show-biz heavyweight and delicious diva has just released "The Essential Barbara Cook." The 4 CD and 1 DVD box set comes in time for Santa's list and in anticipation of Cook's new CD scheduled for a February 2010 release.
Cook, who turned 82 on October 25, 2009, still dazzles audiences today, with a voice remarkably unchanged after a career of more than five decades. Considered "Broadway's favorite ingenue" during the heyday of the Broadway musical, Cook then launched a second career as a concert and cabaret artist soaring from one professional peak to another.
The box set contains the 1993 CD "Close as Pages in a Book" (remixed in 2009); a tribute to the songs of Dorothy Fields; "Live From London," recorded in 1994 over two weeks; "All I Ask of You," a homage to several lyricists including Andrew Lloyd Webber; a new recording entitled "Give Me the Simple Life," recorded in 2009 and featuring such tunes as "I've Got You Under My Skin," "I'd Rather Be Blue," "Give Me The Simple Life," and "It Was Written in the Stars;" and the crown jewel: "Barbara Cook Live from The Met," the live CD from 2006 that marked the first time a female pop singer was presented in a solo concert in the Metropolitan Opera 128-year history.
Wait! There's more music to the ears and eyes: The set also contains a DVD of Cook's 2001 stunner, "Mostly Sondheim," taped live at Carnegie Hall and SUNY Purchase.
Even our pal Renee Fleming is a big fan: "Barbara is a shining light among singers," she coos. "She represents the purest example of how a great technique, sublime interpretation, intelligence and an open heart can keep a public interested for decades. She sounds as beautiful and pure as ever, she has long kept her range, and best of all, her career is continuing entirely on her own terms. Long may she reign."
Hopefully you've been nice and Santa is listening."
Trust that it's essential
G. Otterson | california | 01/21/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a wonderful emotionally satisfying musical investment. Anyone who loves a singer who reaches into one's heart and lambastes it will be solidly pleased."
Good chance to review Barbara's career in one place
H. Rendleman | Anacortes, WA USA | 02/01/2010
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I always was a gentle fan of Barbara Cook's but never owned any of her CDs (except Broadway musicals) so this was a good way for me to have a good compliation of her muscial career. If you already have several of her other CDs then this is probably not for you as you have most of these works on other discs."
