John Kander, Dominik Scherrer, W.C. Handy The Best of Ute Lemper Genres:International Music, Jazz, Special Interest, Pop, Soundtracks, Classical, Broadway & Vocalists Many American theatergoers discovered Germany's Ute Lemper when she took on the part of Chicago's Velma Kelly on Broadway. Except that Lemper already was well known as an actress and singer in Europe, where she got notice... more »d with her performance of Kurt Weill and Weimar cabaret songs. (I even remember seeing her as Sally Bowles in a 1986 Paris production of Cabaret, whose "Don't Tell Mama" is included here). To say Lemper is a mannered interpreter would be an understatement. On the Weill songs, she makes Lotte Lenya sound downright minimalist. In addition to Weill, this CD includes a fairly comprehensive selection of the range of Lemper's repertoire, from tunes popularized by Marlene Dietrich and Edith Piaf to an excerpt from the Michael Nyman Songbook album. (No trace of the singer's downright strange take on "The Ladies Who Lunch," though.) The embodiment of the European tradition of art-song interpretation, Lemper may be a bit of an acquired taste, but her fans are certainly as passionate as her detractors. --Elisabeth Vincentelli« less
Many American theatergoers discovered Germany's Ute Lemper when she took on the part of Chicago's Velma Kelly on Broadway. Except that Lemper already was well known as an actress and singer in Europe, where she got noticed with her performance of Kurt Weill and Weimar cabaret songs. (I even remember seeing her as Sally Bowles in a 1986 Paris production of Cabaret, whose "Don't Tell Mama" is included here). To say Lemper is a mannered interpreter would be an understatement. On the Weill songs, she makes Lotte Lenya sound downright minimalist. In addition to Weill, this CD includes a fairly comprehensive selection of the range of Lemper's repertoire, from tunes popularized by Marlene Dietrich and Edith Piaf to an excerpt from the Michael Nyman Songbook album. (No trace of the singer's downright strange take on "The Ladies Who Lunch," though.) The embodiment of the European tradition of art-song interpretation, Lemper may be a bit of an acquired taste, but her fans are certainly as passionate as her detractors. --Elisabeth Vincentelli
CD Reviews
Weill at his best...
Amy Addis | London | 02/15/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This album is an ESSENTIAL C.D. for ANYONE with good taste in music. Ute Lemper's wonderfully dramatic voice is highlighted on tracks such as 'My Ship'(a Kurt Weill classic) and 'All That Jazz' (from Lemper's stunning prtrayal of Velma Kelly in the hit musical Chicago). One C.D. surely cannot capture the enormous range of styles that this artist has to offer, but her fresh sound and intensely powerful voice is surely an excellent starting point, a door into the world of Weimar Cabaret (Kabarett), and Kurt Weill."
Want To Buy Some Illusions?
douglas barton | Arlington, Va. | 10/17/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I had initially been made aware of Ute Lemper's incredible talent by her cd featuring the music of composer Kurt Weill. While the work was impressive I didn't exactly run out to make any quick puchases of that disc. A nice enough cd but perhaps too Germanic for my tastes. Who knows!? Well, once again another drastic over-sight on my part! Fortunately with her cd of songs by Edith Piaf and Marlene Dietrich "Illusions" I was simply awed by the honesty and the sheer power of her ability to project a self-confidence that I found almost inspiring....to say nothing of slightly erotic! Add to that her simply peerless performance and I became an instant fan! So with the release of "All That Jazz: The Best Of Ute Lemper" I was, for once ahead of the curve...so to speak. That being said..." All That Jazz" is a marvelous introduction to one of the real, truly great cabaret singers of our time. Singing fluently in English, German and French she effortlessly touches upon so many different styles, giving each the consideration and respect they deserve. The music is at once campy, fun, daring and most of all just a little "naughty". Which, I suspect, is what good cabaret singing should be. And make no mistake...these are truly difficult songs to attempt. A good assortment are 'signature' songs by some of the world's greatest singers i.e. Lotte Lenya, Edith Piaf and Marlene Dietrich and performing them takes a woman of considerable character and, how to say, chutzpah! But obviously she more than holds her own and perhaps manages just a liitle more than that! Personal highlights are "Careless Love", "Don't Tell Mama" and "La Vie en Rose". Plus, a wonderful version of "The Special Girlfriend" a song that really brings home how 'diverse' Ute truly is. Simply put this artist lays herself bare with every selection and, other than Holly Cole, I know of no other singer who takes the risks that Ute Lemper does! All in all a wonderful cd for putting on in the evening with a glass of wine and one or two mischevious thoughts. So enjoy and think of me when you're nearing the end of that glorious bottle of wine. Who needs illusions....we all do!"
What an amazing artist...
kenc@foundrynet.com | California, USA | 01/11/1999
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I purchased this CD quite by accident and am I glad I did! Ute Lemper has a great voice and her interpretation of Kurt Weill is unique and first rate. I actually like it better than the classic treatment by Lotte Lenya. Her singing of Surabaya-Johnny is mesmerizing. This CD is a good introduction to the artistry of Ute Lemper."
A Great Introduction to Ute Lemper
ulfar | Kopavogur Iceland | 06/05/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Whether this you will find this to be "The Best of Ute Lemper" will depend on your taste. What is not debatable is that this is an excellent CD. It contains a sprinkling from much of Ute's repertoire, even including a Paul Celan song from the brilliant but too seldom heard Michael Nyman Songbook. Ute fans will already own a lot of this stuff but you can't have too much of a good thing can you?"
Absolutely incredible
Ginevra M | Oceanside, New York United States | 02/11/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I was first made aware of the talents of Ute Lemper on the London cast recording of Chicago. Her unique vocal style was incredible, and her portrayal of Velma Kelly was amazing. I knew that she was a singer, and my friend told me to get her album, All That Jazz, because she adored it and thought that I would as well. I bought it right before I went on vacation to Florida, and could not put it down for the entire time that I was there. I now understand why she is regarded as one of the supreme interpreters of the music of Kurt Weill, Marlene Dietrich, and Edith Piaf. I have never heard a lot of these songs before (in fact, I'd only knew of four songs from the entire C.D.), and I would ot choose any other artist to be my first exposure to them. This is, truly, an incredible C.D."
