Customer Reviews

How Glory Goes

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"How Glory Goes" is the second CD from singer Audra McDonald, currently available at music stores everywhere. Ms. McDonald is a singer from the Broadway stage, a singer who, in her mid twenties, has three Tony awards to her name. However, unlike many a Broadway singer, she has no designs on traditional albums of showtune standards. Indeed, her first disk, "Back to Paradise," was comprised entirely of theater music written in the 1990's, by composers not yet into their 40's. On "How Glory Goes" she explores the relationship between theater music of yesterday and today by mixing the two together. Nowhere is this technique more effective than in her pairing of a true theater standard, "Somewhere" from "West Side Story" with "How Glory Goes" from 1996's "Floyd Collins." "Somewhere," sung in a quieter and more resigned manner than the song is accustomed to, is a song about heaven, the "somewhere" two lovers will find happiness. The song almost imperceptibly segues on the disk into "How Glory Goes," about a woman, in the moments before death, asking God what heaven will be like. It is juxtapositions like these that make the album more than just a collection of songs. Ms. McDonald's voice is also responsible for making the album more than the sum of its parts; she possesses a voice that, unlike many musical theater singers', can segue from brassy belting tones into beautiful colatura soprano ones at a moment's notice. The album devotes five songs to the composer Harold Arlen, probably best known for his songs for "The Wizard of Oz" and, on these classics, she displays the fullness of that range, from the soaring notes of "Any Place I Hang My Hat is Home" to the smoky blues of "The Man that Got Away." She also is an acting singer, investing lines with thought and care; the character of each song comes through. This is most evident on "I Won't Mind," a contemporary composition by Jeff Blumenkrantz that's a song of love from "Aunt Lizzy" to her friend's young son. Both sadness and love for the boy can clearly be heard in the childless woman's voice. The only complaint to be had is admittedly a purely personal one; as a fan of the new theater music being performed today, I would have liked to have heard more of it than the classics.

Audra McDonald's voice is fierce, warm, disciplined, tender, controlled, maternal, soaring, and smart. This is not an album that works as musical wallpaper -- the second it's on your CD player, you need to listen closely to understand it. But if you do listen, you'll be thrilled with this woman. The selections are not as challenging as those in "Way Back to Paradise" -- another great one, by the way, but not immediately ingratiating. In "Glory," McDonald has made the effort to reach out and bring her audience to her by mixing standards along with some of the more accessible songs of new composers. And she needs to make that effort because her operatic training brings something different to the pop idiom. In "Glory," she makes the breakthrough. One can imagine someday that she'll also "cut loose," (as she sometimes does in live performance), but the vision of that Audra doesn't diminish the real beauty of the one that's here. A favorite: "When Did I Fall in Love."

Audra hits another one out of the park with her second disc, "How Glory Goes". People who are already fans of her amazing talent and enjoyed "Way Back To Paradise", her first solo release, will not be disappointed with her latest effort. Audra is still Audra... the voice thrills and the interpretations are flawless.

The best news, however, is for those people who love Audra's voice but aren't fans of the newer, more challenging music on her first disc. There's still some of that here, but she's added several "standards" from composers like Harold Arlen, Leonard Bernstein, and Jerome Kern. You've probably heard these songs before, but for me each track was like hearing the song for the first time.

As much as I was a huge fan of "Way Back To Paradise", I think this disc will get even more time in my CD player.

Audra McDonald, one of the most talented singing actresses of our time, scores hit after hit on HOW GLORY GOES, her second solo CD. Unlike her first CD, which featured compositions by the latest generation of Broadway composers, Ms. McDonald has found fourteen songs - well-known standards, newer compositions, and gems from forgotten shows - that feature a wide range of styles that all suit her voice perfectly. Especially good are three of five songs on the CD written by Harold Arlen: "Any Place I Hang My Hat Is Home," "I Had Myself a True Love," and - the highlight of the recording - "The Man That Got Away." Ms. McDonald's connection with the harmonies and rhythms of these pieces, even when the lyrics are somber, transforms each into a joyous, soulful celebration of musical theater at its best. Three other favorites: Jerome Kern's "Bill," Jeff Blumenkrantz's "I Won't Mind," and Stephen Flaherty's "Come Down From the Tree."

Sorry, Ms. Midler, I think you are amazing, but Ms. McDonald is a gift from the heavens.

"Way Back to Paradise" was my choice for the best CD of 1998, so I eagerly anticipated this new release. But I approached it with some trepidation because, with such high expectations, I feared greatly being disappointed. Thankfully, disappointment is about the last word I would use to describe my reaction to this CD.

Many people characterized Ms. McDonald's programming choices (of mostly new material by largely unknown composers) on her debut CD as "brave," but I think that term more aptly describes her choices on this CD, as they bring her into comparison with many great singers of the past.

Clearly, though, Ms. McDonald has nothing to fear. She not only sings each song on the new disc gorgeously, but she puts her own special mark on each one as well. Most impressive is her interpretation of "The Man that Got Away." This song is so inextricably associated with Judy Garland that one assumes that her performance is definitive. Well, has Ms. McDonald got news for you! Her performance bears virtually no resemblance to the "classic" one, but makes it appear that Ms. Garland had no idea what she was singing about. While Ms. Garland's performance is certainly thrilling to hear, Ms. McDonald's conveys the world-weary sadness at the heart of this song. I've listened to this CD countless times and that track never fails to touch my soul.

Others have criticized the repertoire on this CD as being all of a kind. I must disagree. Ms. McDonald's interpretive skills are so fine that she presents an entirely different "character" in each of her performances. And don't think from the relatively quiet "tone" of this CD that she can't bring down the house with a big number. "When Did I Fall in Love" gives a glimpse of her talents in this regard. TO see thse talents in all their glory, watch the DVD of "My Favorite Broadway: The Leading Ladies"; her performance of "Down with Love" is a clear showstopper. (And it also shows her "going up against" a classic. In her performance, Ms. McDonald pays homage to Barbra Streisand while showing that she is not in the legendary performer's shadow. (Ironically (in light of my earlier comment), Ms. Streisand sang that song on The Judy Garland Show.))

I eagerly await the release of future Audra McDonald discs.

...And heart, and soul, and life, and energy, and (last but surely not least) talent beyond the norm. She is the quintessential singer/actress. She is the new Broadway God(ess)! Unlike "How Glory Goes's" predecessor "Way Back to Paradise," the songs on this latest sparring are easier to grasp on first listening--"Paradise" took a bit more time to get used to. One reason is "Glory's" inclusion of standards from decades past.

Such ballads as "The Man that Got Away," "Bill," and the perfectly linking "Somewhere" and "How Glory Goes" are positively timeless! Sure, the song "How Glory Goes" was actually just recently written, but it is sure to become a classic among the rest previously mentioned.

"I Hid My Love" is absolutely beautiful, haunting yet romantic! My favorite song on the album, though, is "Lay Down your Head." It starts off accapella then gradually is joined by an orchestra! So beautiful!

I promise you, this album is not to be turned down! You will love it!

Rarely does a solo artist have a 2nd cd that surpasses the first. Audra McDonald does! From the opening number, "Any Place I Hang My Hat Is Home" Audra's voice is beautiful. Her voice shows tenderness in the song "I Won't Mind" and breaks your heart in "The Man That Got Away". Singing songs from past and present Broadway shows, as well as original compositions, Audra's voice masters songs from Johnny Mercer's "St. Louis Woman" and Truman Capote's ill-fated, "House of Flowers". For those who liked Audra's first cd, "Way Back to Paradise", (and even those who didn't) or have heard her on the soundtracks of "Ragtime" or "Carousel", Audra's voice reigns supreme on this cd. Absolutely beautiful!

If "Way Back to Paradise" marked a true star's arrival, "How Glory Goes" should mark Audra McDonald as one of the finest singers/performers of all time. Without a doubt, Audra will soon join the likes of Aretha, Barbra, Judy, and Ella. She is that great. Filled with a sensuous, passionate, and versatile voice, Audra makes every song truly her own. In "Glory," she honors her predecessors while showing that she is a flexible performer who can feel emotions through phrasing, diction, and impeccable control. If you don't have this one, better get it, now. Favorite tracks include: a stylish rendition of Streisand's "Any Place I Hang My Hat is Home"; emotionally-filled "I Won't Mind"; the catchy and elegantly simple "Come Down From the Tree"; and the inspirational and immensely passionate medley of "Somewhere" and "How Glory Goes." I highly, very highly, recommend this CD.

I was not sure I wanted to hear a lot of standards from Audra after hearing the newer music on her debut album. But my doubts were immediately dispelled when she launched into Any place I Hang My Hat Is Home. My favorite "old" song is The Man That Got Away because she doesn't try to imitate Judy Garland (or anyone else). She is her unique delicious self. I also love another Arlen/Mercer song, I Had Myself A True Love, which I admit I had never heard before. It is heavenly. For those like myself who loved the first album there are interpretations by some of the newer composers. I cannot pick a favorite but How Glory Goes, the title track, is mesmerizing. There is not a track I would skip. I cannot imagine anyone not loving this CD, regardless of your musical preferences.

I am most definitely an Audra McDonald fan. I saw her live recently at Linclon Center in the American Songbook Series and was blown away.

This CD is a must buy for anyone who loves musical theater or great singing. Ms. McDonald is able to take a song you've heard a million times and make you feel like you've never heard it before. She is able to capture the emotional content of a song without making it sappy or overly sentimental. From Showboat's "Bill," which she sings with child-like wonder, to "The Man That Got Away," which drips with lament and regret, every song in this collection strikes the right chord.

An amazing voice and a gift for acting make her one of the best entertainers around. If you get a chance to see her live, don't ask questions, just do it. In the meanwhile listen to this wonderful CD.