In a class by herself...
05/29/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Just listen carefully to the first sentence of one song, "The Nearness of You," and you will have a small sampling of the magic and phenomenal musicianship that this woman has at her command. The tone quality is luscious and expressive beyond words, and, ohhhhhhhh, what she does with that voice of hers. Listen to the word "Moon." It starts out with no vibrato, then she adds it, ever so delicately. It's not just vibrato - listen to the *quality* of the vibrato... subtle... sensual... stunning... It's delicious. It's just one of countless tiny details that makes this singer an artist. Now listen to the word "Thrills," sung in a whisper. Wonderful, Maureen. So expressive. Elsewhere her voice will soar and penetrate your heart. Maureen's color palette is endless, and she knows how and where to use it. Listen to the word "You," when she sings "It's just the nearness of you." Perfect intonation (another tool at her command - she will use imperfect intonation when it serves an expressive purpose - listen to "Summertime" on her "Naughty Baby" CD, another great CD). Listen to how delicately and smoothly she adds vibrato at the end of the word "You." It's stunning.If Maureen sang *every* held note starting with no vibrato and adding it at the end, it would begin to lose its effect. But she knows better - she has impeccable musical instinct and intelligence. Trust her. When she gets to the held out word "Sweet---" she sings the whole note, beginning to end, with that stunning vibrato. Sometimes she will sing a long note with absolutely NO vibrato, creating tension like a stretched rubber band. Ohhhhhhhh, what that does to me! She has perfected the art of vibrato - when to use it, when not to use it, how to use it, how much to use, what quality... etc. etc.Maureen's talent does not end with stunning vocal prowess. She *uses* her vocal prowess to tell a story, to sit us front center at a dramatic event, making us feel what the character singing the song is feeling. Vocal technique is never an end unto itself.Today I put on The Pleasure of His Company on my CD player, and I was blown away by it. The thing is, I've owned this CD for 3 years and have listened to it countless times. I'm STILL blown away. Maureen is in a class by herself. Finally, I should add that Mike Renzi's piano accompaniment is itself a treasure. Get this CD and start your Maureen McGovern collection today!"
Beautiful
Eric L. Magnus | Olathe, KS USA | 02/14/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The combination of Maureen McGovern and Mike Renzi...it doesn't get any better than this!"