2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Spencer's "Fair Warning" More than Fair, April 14, 2006
This review is from: Fair Warning (Audio CD)
Prime Cuts: Something in Red, The Girl Who Used to Be Me, You Must Love Me
Spencer does not just sing. Rather, songs are for her platforms to launch into the vast forays of romance, idealisms, and reality paring them with an essence of imagination and spirituality that few could only dream of accomplishing. "Fine Warning," Spencer's sophomore release for LML music is a concept album of sorts. Inspired by the Red Hat Society, a sorority dedicated to helping middle-aged women carpe diem, these 12 tracks thus reflect the various tributaries of embracing such a philosophical mantra. Just as in her debut, the backings are sparse, with Spencer's soprano as the cynosure, accompanied by Phili Fortenberry on piano and cellist Moonlight Tran. Perhaps, a departure for Spencer and most Cabaret artists is the presence of 4 original compositions courtesy of Keith Thompson.
Most apropos to the spirit of the CD is Angela Kaset's "Something in Red," first popularized by country thrush Lorrie Morgan. A gorgeous ballad that journeys through the life of a woman from youth to her twilight years represented by various colors is given grandiose read. Providing a platform for Spencer to exhibit her power sustaining vocals is the show tune "The Girl Who Used to Be Me" from "Shirley Valentine." On the more popular "Stardust/Deep Purple" listen to Fortenberry as he tickles the ivory keys to provide an idyllic underpinning on two of America's most well constructed tunes. While the romantic "You Must Love Me," finds Spencer in a more subdued disposition with a quiet desperation brimming beneath each and every syllable.
Nevertheless, the sparseness of just a cello and a piano might work when the tempo is down. But, on Thompson's swinging "Eat, Drink and Be Mary" and the more spiritual leaning "Hymns," one would wish there were an ensemble that could bring out the effervescent tenor of these tunes. Also, despite Fortenberry's production genius, there's only so much you can do with a cello and a piano. Hence, there are spots within the flow of the album where there's a tad of ennui.
"Fair Warning," in many ways continues the path first paved by Spencer's debut "Wide Awake and Dreaming" showcasing Spencer's forte in being a great balladeer. Whether it's a song from the American songbook or a new composition, Spencer's delicate touch on each of these paeans brings out a smoldering freshness as if they were birthed just from her life's journey. However, with album 3, let's hope Spencer will get a fuller backing so that she can tackle a wider genre, such as swing or more propulsive tunes.
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