Customer Reviews

Barbara Cook - Live from London

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

PURE VOICE - PURE BEAUTY - WITH A FULL ORCHESTRA BEHIND HER.
THE FACT THAT IT IS "LIVE" DOES NOT TAKE ANYTHING AWAY FROM
HER PERFORMANCE. THE BEST I HAVE EVER HEARD!!

Barbara Cook is a singer with the rare combination of astounding vocal prowess and a deep feeling for the meaning of the lyrics she is singing. She never "shows off" when singing, just conveys very beautifully the essence of each song, whether light or depressing, fast or slow, gentle or full-blast. Her gifts are fully displayed in this wonderful CD, which compares favorably to her two other classic concert CD`s.

There is no one like Barbara Cook in the Musical Theater genre except perhaps Elaine Stritch when it comes to talent and class. Ms.Cook has the range and versatility that brings songs to life and makes them live on in our hearts. I saw her do this same show live at the Naples Philharmonic, and it was very clear that the audience knew they were in the presence of greatness.

She is a phenomenon! Her voice still soars and the notes are well within her grasp. The music she has chosen to perform is exceptionally beautiful and exceptionally moving in its execution. Ms Cook proves once again that she is a national treasure.

I recently had the pleasure of meeting Barbara Cook. She told me this was her favorite recording of her career; I agree. It is an extraordinary concert. Barbara Cook's glorious performance is perfection.

Barbara Cook's voice as a mature woman is a wondrous instrument -- full-bodied and expressive, with a refreshingly tight vibrato. The older Cook is much more of a belter than the younger Cook. And this woman has pipes -- after taking a big breath, it feels as if she can hold a phrase forever. A voice resplendent, able to soar, unaccompanied, over a full orchestra. The good old days of Broadway!

The material here and the arrangements leave much to be desired. She doesn't trot out memorable tunes from her career. Which is fine. However, here we have far too many ballads and a lot of down-tempo material. The arrangements are sappy. There's an indulgent, nightclubby mediocrity to many of her interpretations. After listening for a bit, I realized that her approach to phrasing is identical in every song. There's much pathos here, but little subtlety. She tries to swing a few times and, well, this woman cannot swing. Not even a little bit.

I suspect that there are better recordings of the mature Cook out there, perhaps guided by a musical director with better taste.