Customer Reviews

I Bought A Blue Car Today

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I can't completely recommend this CD without some reservations, unfortunately. I bought it for my partner who has a fascination for Mr. Cumming ever since he first starred in Cabaret in Broadway. He seems to be trying way too hard on several of the numbers, and "That's Life" is a true boozy train wreck. That being said, when he calms down a bit and tries to reach some emotional depth, he's wonderful. He isn't the greatest singer, frankly, but can carry a tune and tell a story...which is more than many, many others. His "Unexpressed" is captivating. I love the fact that he didn't hide his Scottish brogue for this recording. Being the son of a Scottish mother, I found this totally charming. Maybe for his next recording, he can search for those songs of depth and sub-text that might allow him to expand dramatically and musically. One gets the feeling that this was his catharsis of sorts. Maybe the next one will have expunged the demons and allow him to develop further.

Do NOT mistake this for the usual fare from singers you primarily know from their work on Broadway. This is a unique musical effort from a performer without peer and you have to hear it to believe it. The only weak spot is "That's Life." The rest of the songs range from obscure to obvious, but Cumming puts his imprint on all of them. (Listen to his take on Dolly Parton's "Here You Come Again" and Kander and Ebb's "Mein Herr" to understand what I mean.) His closing song, "Beautiful" is a brilliant twenty-first century take on a very old-fashioned concept, love. This guy is a keeper!

Alan Cumming is one of the most talented men in show business today. When you watch him on "The Good Wife" it's hard to picture him in the role of "Emcee" in "Cabaret". "I Bought A Blue Car Today" is awesome. Very personal songs perfomed with heart and soul, many of which it is pretty easy to share feelings. I've had it in my car since the day I bought it, and have given it as a gift to many friends. For a ride with a man looking over his life introspectively, you can't do better.

I was one of the fortunate few to see Alan Cumming performed in Orange County, CA recently. Absolutely adored every second of this show. Thank you Alan for stepping behind the Orange Curtain! The more I listened to this CD, the more I love these songs. The ballads are very poignant. His rendition of "Mein Herr" is my favorite to date.

This was for my daughter's 21st birthday, she is a huge Alan Cummings fan, and she loves the CD!!!!!

This is a wonderful showcase for the talented Mr. Cumming. Interesting choice of songs and unique, artful performance by one of musical theater's great performers. Alan's talent and sensitive performance and interpretation comes shinning through on every song. Bravo!

producers are hired to help artists shine where they might not realize their strength.
producers also help artists soften the edges where they might be a bit too abrasive for the public ear.

This record needed help.

this album listens to like it was made in a basement with lots of weed and some half-baked ideas of some songs that "i'd love to cover on a record someday!"

it is not a well planned out, not well put together album for the public to enjoy. (thus the title being taken from a personal joke, that, if you haven't seen him live or don't know him you won't get!)

That being said, Alan is a great guy (with an ego the size of America) and not a bad performer. Sometimes he has roles that he shines in... he is GREAT in the role for Cabaret, and sings the song well from it... over all, if the song choices were more in his range with a theme or a plan this could have been a good record...

I saw Alan's one-man show last night (10/04/2009) in Los Angeles and he was terrific. He basically performed the tracks from this album along with a nice helping of wit and audacity with great stories about his life. Do go see him live if you ever have the chance because he's the real deal. I can't wait to buy the CD to have as a great remembrance of this night at the theatre.