Showing posts with label Barbara Brussell. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Barbara Brussell. Show all posts

Saturday, November 16, 2019

Barbara Brussell - Patterns

Styles: Vocal
Year: 1998
Time: 54:56
Size: 76,5 MB
Art: Front

(3:39)  1. Patterns / Try to Remember
(2:07)  2. Everybody Says Don't
(3:04)  3. Mira
(3:25)  4. Nothing Really Happens
(4:12)  5. This Nearly Was Mine / Once Upon a Time
(3:11)  6. I Wish
(3:18)  7. First of May
(3:56)  8. This Dream / If I Ruled the World
(0:38)  9. Narration - Narration 1
(3:35) 10. Patterns
(3:35) 11. Mister Snow
(3:30) 12. Marry Me a Little
(3:47) 13. Buddy's Blues
(3:13) 14. Alfie
(4:41) 15. Move On
(1:42) 16. Narration - Narration 2
(3:14) 17. If I Could

West Coast cabaret singer Barbara Brussell could have played safe for her first album by selecting a play list from the Great American Song Book and from well-known shows from the Great White Way. Instead, she displays a bit of the daring by including a good number of lesser-known material. But their lack of familiarity does not make them any less intriguing or entertaining, at least the way this fine singer presents them. Among the songs that some may have a hard time recognizing is the wistful "Mira" from Carnival along with the intense yearning and regrets of the title tune, "Patterns," from Baby. Even some songs from hit Broadway shows are not the ones usually remembered from those productions. "Mister Snow" is not generally the first piece of music that comes to mind from the big hit Carousel. But with the rousing attention Brussell gives it, this tune may be seen in a different light. A certain indicator that the lesser-performed material deserves the vocal exposure given it by Brussell is that it in no way suffers by comparison with more heady stuff on the program. The poignant "This Nearly Was Mine," one of the biggies from South Pacific, is coupled in a medley with a charming "Once Upon a Time," resulting in one of the premier performances on the CD. Brussell has just the right vocal equipment for this material. She has a strong voice but keeps full command over it. But more important, it is filled with an expressive ability that catches the hard-to-find nuances of the melodies she takes on. She goes from sad to happy, from lost to sophisticated, from reserved to daring, and from sassy to coy with an effort that's barely noticeable. Patterns is an excellent first outing. Recommended. ~ Dave Nathan https://www.allmusic.com/album/patterns-mw0000602218

Patterns

Monday, June 1, 2015

Barbara Brussell - Lerner In Love: The Lyrics Of Alan Jay

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2005
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 70:40
Size: 165,2 MB
Art: Front

(3:05)  1. It's Time for a Love Song
(3:01)  2. Almost Like Being in Love/On the Street Where You Live
(3:29)  3. Come to Me, Bend to Me/The Heather on the Hill
(2:20)  4. From This Day On
(4:09)  5. Show Me
(2:33)  6. You're All the World to Me
(4:28)  7. Too Late Now
(2:11)  8. Thank Heaven for Little Girls
(3:42)  9. Gigi
(4:42) 10. I Could Have Danced All Night/Dance a Little Closer
(4:31) 11. There's Always One You Can't Forget
(2:54) 12. Hurry! It's Lovely Up Here!
(4:13) 13. I Loved You Once In Silence/before I Gaze At You Again
(2:33) 14. If Ever I Would Leave You
(3:17) 15. What Did I Have That I Don't Have?
(2:37) 16. I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face
(2:00) 17. Anyone Who Loves
(3:41) 18. On A Clear Day You Can See Forever
(4:05) 19. You Haven't Changed At All
(3:59) 20. One More Walk Around The Garden
(2:59) 21. My Last Love/here I'll Stay

Fellow fans of Alan Jay Lerner are in for some rich listening with this handsomely produced CD. Fresh, intimate arrangements and Brussell's warm, sensative vocals let more than two dozen Lerner lyrics shine out in all their glory. Along with familiar standards are some delicious rarities, such as "You Haven't Changed at All," a personal favorite from The Day Before Spring. Brussell gives lyrics and music equal attention, making this one of the most enjoyable cabaret recordings in recent years. 

Kudos to pianist Tedd Firth, producer/arranger Todd Schroeder and executive producer Frank Skillern for such a classy presentation and to Ms. Brussell for such a worthy tribute to a master Broadway lyricist and his gifted composing colleagues. http://www.musicals101.com/cd2005.htm

Personnel:  Barbara Brussell (Vocal), Todd Schroeder (piano), Gene Bertoncini (guitar); Robert Kyle (saxophone); Warren Vaché (trumpet); Steve LaSpina (bass instrument); Peter Grant (drums).

Lerner In Love: The Lyrics Of Alan Jay