Blue - The Complete Cabaret Songs of William Bolcom and Arnold Weinstein

Michelle Murray (Artist), David Murray (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 3, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Summit(Classical)
• ASIN: B00009MGOP
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #328,557 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars They won me over - this is fabulous!, September 2, 2004

By 

Paleo - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blue - The Complete Cabaret Songs of William Bolcom and Arnold Weinstein (Audio CD)

I am not a student of cabaret songs, but I had heard of the genre and this recording seemed a good place to start. Honestly, the first time I listened to it, I wasn't very impressed. However, I attributed that to my lack of familiarity with the composer and the style of the music, and kept listening. After letting the music sink in for a while, I began to notice how well the Murrays interpret and perform these pieces. Michelle does not sound like a performer singing a song, she IS the character of the song, telling her story. You can hear her disgust and pain in "At the last lousy moments of love", her combined amusement, gruff love, and desire to teach street smarts to the child in "Love in the thirties". The pianist is amazingly expressive. The accompaniment as provided by David, rather than being part of the background to the singer, is an integral part of the story. At times the accompaniment sets the scene, at others it reacts to the vocalist, at times they go back and forth in a tight interplay that is reminiscent of a couple who finish each other's sentences as they chat. Replace either David or Michelle, and these songs would all fall flat. Together, they form a team that compels one to listen. Their performances made me like this music whether I wanted to or not. I had hoped this CD could provide background music at work. It fails miserably in that regard, because I get so drawn in to the pieces. I always end up with my hands frozen over my computer keyboard, my mind eavesdropping on a father and son on the street, squirming away from someone I shouldn't have brought home the night before, communing with someone I love. Get this CD - you'll be glad you did.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant!, July 16, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Blue - The Complete Cabaret Songs of William Bolcom and Arnold Weinstein (Audio CD)

David and Michelle Murray really, REALLY know their stuff. Their collective sensitive interpretation of these intimate works belies the intimacy of their relationship. (At least I hope their marriage is a good one!) Check out the liner notes for an insightful, albeit brief, analysis of the works. Who knew musicologists could be interesting?

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great interpretations but..., October 9, 2005

By 

Mezzorama (Milwaukee, WI, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blue - The Complete Cabaret Songs of William Bolcom and Arnold Weinstein (Audio CD)

She's clearly a soprano and these pieces are too low for her. And on sustained notes, she sings sharp. I prefer hearing these sung by a lower and richer voice. Still and all, glad to have them on a recording, so thanks for that.