Search - Mary Cleere Haran :: Crazy Rhythm

All of Mary Cleere Haran's cd's are worth checking out...

Aaron B. | u.s.a. | 04/12/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Mary Cleere Haran is more then just a cabaret singer, she's a cabaret SWINGER(swing is the one thing most cabaret singers don't do), she isn't too much of sn improviser, however she's taken more chances on this cd then ever before, especially on It Had To Be You, where she gets playful with the song(on a Billie Holiday level), which proves Haran can sing jazz when she wants too, It Had To be You is only one of many highlights which also include the title track Crazy Rhythm. This may be Haran's finest session to date due to her constant but slight improvisations and her strong sense of swing, not to mention she possesses a very pretty and sensual voice. This cd, or any of her past releases are well worth picking up."

"Smitten Kitten"

douglas barton | Arlington, Va. | 11/22/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I will be the first to confess that while at my local record store,scouring the racks,waiting for something to "jump out" at me, I first took notice of Mary Cleere Haran's "Crazy Rhythm" solely due to her photograph on the cover. Hey, I'm only a human...plus,being a single guy (albeit according to some old girlfriends and the odd ex-wife who may view me as something 'less' than human')! Nevertheless, since I found the cover so appealing I was curious to see what songs she had chosen for this disc and was pleasantly surprised to see some tunes that I hadn't spied on any cd in many a year. So far...so good! Obviously, with my curiosity at an all-time high I thought, casting fate to the wind, let's take her home and see if the music is as "fetching" as the packaging . Yes, I've been burned before, but hope springs eternal! Well, after hearing the first two selections, both being medley's, I was instantly hooked! Mary has a gifted voice and a wonderful way of phrasing a song that is imperative when tackling tunes of this substance. The bulk of the material here was originally written for Broadway and it takes a singer with no small amount of confidence to take them on and make them her own.Fortunately she's been able to do just that! Don't misunderstand me...not everything here is to my liking. There's no reason to go into details...suffice to say that some of the selections are perhaps just slightly too "cute" for my enjoyment.But the highlights of this wonderful disc far outweigh these insignificant drawbacks. For starters, her rendition of "What'll I Do?", one of my all time favorites, is extremely well done, crystal clear and best of all is sung with out much self-pity when conveying the songs tormented lyrics. Other highlights include "Half Of It Dearie Blues", "Poor Little Rich Girl" and "Harlem On My Mind"! It 's amazing that more singer's aren't covering these incredible songs (are you listening Diana?). This cd is New York through and through and I admire it for that reason as well! I'll state here that I will give 'kudos' to any artist who is able to give the listener a sense of "place and time" when performing any piece of music. And Mary's obvious talent's are able to transport me to a smokey nightclub,martini in one hand, cigar in the other ( I don't smoke but it seemed appropriate here) and sitting back making 'witty small-talk' with my super-model girlfriend! Hey, I can dream...can't I? And now that Mary's at the Cafe Carlyle I'll have my excuse for running back up to N.Y. What a treat! So if you truly enjoy sophisticated lyrics, a singer who understands the makings of a really great song and takes wonderful risks in song selections than give 'Crazy Rhythm" a try. Imagine the trend-setter you'll be at your next party! But we already knew that. Ciao!"

A great salute to New York

Barry P Watkins | Richmond, Va. | 01/29/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"It opens with perhaps the greatest of all popular lyrics Larry Hart's Manhattan. It includes many popular songs of the 20's and 30's in New York. She is ably abetted by the piano and vocals of Richard Rodney Bennett he is outstanding on Poor Little Rich Girl. With all it has going in its favor, it lacks the sponteneity and fervor of her own Live At The Algonquin show. Since I rate that a 5 star performance, I must only give this a strong 4 star rating. She is at her best in live performance where her personality can shine. Never the less I would urge the listener to add it to their collection. She and Andrea Marcovicci are the queens of elegant and sophisticated vocals."