Customer Reviews

Beautiful Baby

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4 star:		(2)
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Testifying to the emotional experience of listening to Nancy Lamott has its limits. Some of her following swear by the direct statement and undisguised sentiment to be found on the big orchestral arrangements, manifestos of feeling well suited for a trouper known for "singing her heart out." But others may be more moved by the musical poetry, far more subtle but no less dramatic and powerful, characteristic of her readings of the greatest songs by the best composers. In this role, as a commanding interpreter of the "Great American Songbook," she is best served by little more than her accompanist and musical soulmate, Christopher Marlowe. For my money, the combination of Nancy's musical intelligence, Marlowe's flawlessly empathetic support, and a Berlin or Rodgers/Hammerstein song-poem is art of the highest order, an American "lieder," with no apologies whatsoever to Schubert, Elizabeth Schwartzkop or Gerald Moore.

If you're a member of the second camp, "Beautiful Baby" is a must, surpassed by "My Foolish Heart" but running a close second along with "Come Rain or Come Shine." Of all the interpretations I've heard of Hoagy Carmichael's "Skylark," Nancy's is the one that truly takes wing; and her reading of Berlin's "Blue Skies" creates an azure heaven more than grey clouds. The normally bombastic "I Have Dreamed" becomes a meditative, longing wish in Nancy's reading of this Rodgers/Hammerstein classic; Cy Coleman's "With Every Breath I Take" is animated by Nancy's phrasing/breathing in a way that literally enacts the meaning of the song; "You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby," a great old Warren/Mercer tune, is a grand old time, belted out by Nancy in brash, bouyant style.

For this listener, songs like "Help is On the Way," a tuneful pep talk substituting momentary sentiment for aesthetic feeling, pitch modulation for melodic/harmonic/rhythmic invention are not worthy of an artist whose art is timeless, whose gift and legacy are for the ages.

The debut album of any star is especially fascinating in retrospect, especially when most of the songs are standards. New treatments of old favorites can bring the songs alive, and the singer's interpretations can give new meanings to them. This album is no exception. Here Nancy LaMott resurrects some tired, old chestnuts and makes them positively her own. "Surrey With the Fringe on Top" has never sounded so good, with the traditional clip-clop beat removed, the melody slowed down and softened, and a piano accompaniment that sounds like a harp. "I Have Dreamed," from the King and I, with a simple piano accompaniment, begins slowly and quietly, and gradually becomes more dramatic, until the speaker's dream is resolved with an assertive "I know what it is like to be loved by you."

LaMott is a ballad singer, with a voice that ranges from a sweet whisper to a gravelly vamp. With her great diction, every word is understandable, and her control allows her to interpret songs in unusual ways, often in a tempo much slower than normal, and always in intimate communication with the listener. Using the lyrics as the inspiration for the arrangements, she keeps her accompaniments simple, with her instrumentalists playing up her range. In "Child in Me Again," she sounds like the jazz flute which accompanies her; in "Every Breath I Take," she and the tenor sax join so well that it is difficult to separate which notes are whose.

Two of the most interesting songs are "It Might As Well Be Spring" and "You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby." In the former, which begins with a bluesy, minor-keyed dissonance, she sings in counterpoint in a major key, slowing the tempo, and ending with a lyrical, jazzy improvisation. In "Beautiful Baby," her bassist establishes a strong beat as she moves from a ballad to a finger-popping swing that ends with a wailing jazz interpretation. Five years after recording this, LaMott succumbed to cancer, ending the bright promise seen here and in the five increasingly popular albums which followed. Fortunately, her recording company and her estate have apparently settled their differences now (2004), and several new albums are expected soon. Mary Whipple

As a NYC resident for many years (still in NYS), I was very fortunate to hear Nancy LaMott sing in person, and bought one of her first CDs to grace the market. Nancy LaMott's songs are like old friends. There is a warmth and honesty to her style that pulls you into the emotion of her songs. I smile, I cry, but most of all I feel, even if just for a moment, inspired to sing too. Nancy had a beautiful gift that she shared with all who heard her. I hope the issues which are holding back the release of her music are resolved quickly. Her songs should be heard and shared and enjoyed by all.

Due to legal battles with the estate, Midder Music has been forced to halt all sales of Nancy LaMott's CDs. This is the reason Amazon.com is out of stock. If you have heard her, and admire her work, please order her other available CDs while you can. They won't be out there much longer, and they will not be re-released. This was Nancy's first CD, and as she liked to tell it, she took it to HMV in New York City and said, "I just made this. Will you sell it?" They told her to come back in a few days, and they would listen to it in the meantime. When she came back, they told her they would buy eight CDs. Needless to say, these sold out quickly and not long afterwards, HMV, Tower Records and Footlight Records all had her music in stock. This CD contains many of Nancy's favorite songs, and she sang most of them up until her death. If you can't beg, borrow or steal it, find a friend with a copy. You won't want to miss this.

I have found all reviews to be right on target for me except for the last paragraph of Mr. Chell's. I'll never forget that song--"Help Is on the Way"--any sooner than I will forget the December morning that I learned of Ms. LaMott's death. With her recording of it, she, David Friedman, and Chris Marlowe gave me, and, I suspect, many others an amazing, life-affirming gift. I am always fascinated how music can speak to people in different ways, or not at all. I can't imagine anyone knowing her, or anything about her life, not finding this peice an inspiration.

While driving through Minnesota on my way home after a very serious family medical emergency, this recording was played on a local college radio station. I was never acquainted with Lamott's music, although I'm sure that I have heard it before. As I listned to one song after another, the emotion of the music and the emotion of the situation collided. As the song "In Passing Years" played, I found it necessary to pull off of the road because of its emotional lyrics. As I write this, the emotions return, and tears are returning to my eyes. Thank you, Nancy.

It does not seem possible that one could sing with greater confidence and conviction. Also, Lamott and her accompaniest Christopher Marlowe are a wonderful team, evincing taste, originality and willingness to make standard and not-so-standard songs their own. Lamott is one of the great and treasured surprises of my listening life.

It's true -- the first time I saw and heard Nancy was in San Francisco at the Plush Room. We happened to sit at a front table and when Nancy started singing -- everyone else disappeared. After the show, she came out from behind the curtain and came directly to our table. I knew then that I would always be enthralled with her unique, touching, and often fun ways with her music. We've since bought several of her albums -- we've given this 'Beautiful Baby' to friends... I think this is the best of all of her CDs -- but I enjoy all of her offerings. She's not with us any more -- but even today -- she seems to make everyone disappear when I listen to her music. Enjoy! Tom

The very first note I heard Nancy LaMott sing, was the opening note of "Skylark". It gave me goosebumps and I immediately fell in love with her voice. There is a clarity and warmth in Ms LaMott's voice which is so rarely heard, and the sincerity which she brings to each song makes this album very speical. I think my favourite tracks would have to be "Surrey With The Fringe on Top", with it's beautiful piano accompaniment and unique arrangement, "I Have Dreamed", "With Every Breath I Take", and "In Passing Years". All the arrangements on this album are very beautiful and captivating and in combination with Ms LaMott's vocals, transport the listener to another place. There are so many wonderful sounds on this album - I just can't praise it highly enough, but you HAVE to hear it if you're a fan of Nancy LaMott, or even if you aren't, you soon will be. This album is timeless, and if I can affect someone half as much Ms LaMott has affected me, I'll be happy. What a beautiful voice.

Nancy Lamott was a fantastic songtress. I imagine God called her home early because he missed the sound of her pure and captivating voice. If am am feeling a little down, I listen to Nancy and I feel better. I especially love the song "Help is on the Way." I wish all people who feel that life is hopeless at times will hear this and know that it isn't.