Customer Reviews

Evening With

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This CD is a treasure. Recorded live in April 1972 at the Lyrics and Lyricists Series at the 92nd Street Y in New York, the legendary Dorothy Fields talks about her work and performs her hits with gusto. She is ably assisted by the fine voices of Bobbi Baird, Adrienne Angel, John Peck and Bob Gorman. Richard Leonard is musical director. Toward the end, Cy Coleman makes guest appearance and with Fields performs material from SWEET CHARITY and SEESAW. Fields came from a prominent show business family. Her father was a vaudeville star and Broadway producer, her brothers Joseph and Herbert, were also successful playwrights. I was fascinated to hear what a strong New York accent Fields had. Her singing voice is a baritone, but her charm is tangible on this recording. Fields did some extraordinary work and the best of it is performed here: "I Feel a Song Coming On," "I Can't Give You Anything But Love," "On the Sunny Side of the Street," "Lovely to Look At," and "The Way You Look Tonight" are just a few. For those with an interest in the history of American popular song and/or Broadway, this is a "must have."

When I was in College in the 1950's we used to cluster around an old concert grand in the living room of the fraternity house.and sing a lot of fine old songs. I usually looked at the authors. I noticed that many of the lyrics were credited to one Dorothy Fields in a field dominated by cigar smoking denizens of Tin Pan Alley. I thought this a curious fact, and wondered how she came to be a lyricist. I never found the answer until I encountered this CD while browsing Amazon.

It was a revelation. There she was singing her own songs one memorable night in New York while revealing intimate details of her life and the circumstances surrounding the songs.. Her voice is about the same quality we achieved around the piano, (not exactly concert level), In this case it is is supplemented by some excellent pipes pipes brought in for the occasion. Still Fields' lyrics shine through, untarnished by the years. It is one of those incomparable glimpses into the lasting greatness of real talent An Evening with Dorothy Fields..

I recognize this is a live recording of a program including Ms. Fields. As such, it works great. I enjoy hearing the comments of Ms. Fields before or after a song. But if you are looking for a disk where you can hear just the songs of Fields, without the chatting and without them being cut into medleys, then I'd suggest purchasing something else.

I have been looking for this recording for years. I actually attended the performance that made up this recording and hearing it again is just great.

A hilarious and touching collection of show tunes with witty and romantic lyrics by Dorothy Fields, an icon of Broadway's golden age. Dorothy herself sings a few of them, including "He Had Refinement"--worth the price all by itself.

I had heard of Dorothy Field for many years, but this recording is the only time I have actually heard her. She is a dynamic personality, and her remarks about several people who made TIN PAN ALLEY were among the highlights for me. Not the best vocalist, but what a talent! I couldn't help but renew my love for her with this recording!

Dwayne Brittain
405 E. Chestnut Ave.
Duncan, OK 73533