The Lady With The Torch

Patti LuPone | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 25, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Ghostlight
• ASIN: B000EU1E3I
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #97,918 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Based on her one-woman show conceived and directed by Scott Wittman (lyricist for Hairspray) and orchestrated for ten musicians by longtime Sondheim collaborator Jonathan Tunick, The Lady with the Torch is Patti LuPone simultaneously at the peak of her powers and her most subdued. As its title indicates, the CD sees the singer in full-on ballad mode, tenderly wrapping her burnished pipes around a cherry-picked collection of standards that range from achingly sad to romantically moody. How good is LuPone? She manages to put her stamp on songs as well covered as the Jule Styne­/Sammy Cahn tune "Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out to Dry," which has already been done by the likes of Frank Sinatra, Linda Ronstadt and Ray Charles. This is a perfect twilight album that will delight both afficionados of the American Songbook and those who just want music to sigh to. Note that LuPone contributes zesty little comments on each track in the booklet (re: "Body and Soul": "This song is from the Great Depression--mine"). --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars EXQUISITE ALL THE WAY THROUGH, May 31, 2006

By 

Marijan Bosnar "(the historian)" (Croatia) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Lady With The Torch (Audio CD)

The name of Patti LuPone is hardly unbeknown to the musical theatre aficionados all over the world. For the last 25 years she has been one of the ultimate divas in the genre, memorable both to the American and London audiences and cast recordings collectors as the big, passionate and brassy voice of Evita, Norma Desmond, Fantine, Reno Sweeney or Mrs. Lovett.

Seven years have passed since Ms. LuPone's last studio work, the wonderful album of intimate love songs, called "The matters of the heart", which `The New York Times' rightfully labeled as `the album of the year'. This new album deals with the same emotion put in a different context: this time, it's about the unrequited love. More specifically, we are treated with the carefully selected famous American torch songs. The concert entitled "The lady with the torch" has been Patti's sold-out show for quite some time and this album represents the highlights of the evening.

Some may wonder about this selection of the material, especially when the ground has already been covered in the past by the likes of Frank Sinatra or Ella Fitzgerald. It will take just a few sung notes from Patti though, to put everyone's mind at ease. There are several points that make this album so special. First one, obviously, is the famous golden voice who delivers the songs. Approaching 60, Ms. LuPone's vocal power with its incredible range still sounds at its best, secure and lively as ever. Each song on this CD is a proof of that. Also, one cannot help but feel she gave these songs a whole new life, making them her own, as if they were written especially for her, judging from the way she decided to not only sing them, but interpret/act them as well. The best examples are the shy and touchy deliverance of `The other woman' contrasted with the fierce and gradual determination of `I wanna be around', the latter portraying a vengeful lover who has been discarded. All the other songs, including the standard `The man I love', are a winner.

Secondly, the orchestrations are done wonderfully well. They are a testament of the age when songs were created while at the same time they don't have the same expected sound and successfully blend the tune with the voice.

Lastly, the album has Patti LuPone's candid and hilarious remarks about the whole concept of the show and each of the songs. This again confirms her sense of humor, often seen in her interviews and her official website.

So in the end, `The lady of the torch' has all the Patti LuPone fans will want: wonderful and unique vocal interpretation, carefully selected material packed together with some good tunes. They certainly won't need any convincing into buying it. For the others, interested in hearing the old standards, this is also the best way to start discovering why this lady has been a toast of musical theatre fans for so many years.

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You'll Love This Album, May 23, 2006

By 

Marley (Long Island, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Lady With The Torch (Audio CD)

I just saw Patti Lu Pone last night at Lincoln Center, where she performed a one night engagement for Equity Fights AIDS. Basically this was her opportunity to showcase the material from this wonderful new album "Lady With A Torch". Her band, the same ten-peice ensamble from this recording and Patti were in top form. There's no doubt Patti Lu Pone is the most gifted female singer alive. That's not just my opinion. Ask anyone present last night, where she brought down the house. Patti not only has an extraordinary voice, she has the artistry and skill to match. No one is in her league. She has the rare ability to convey such deep emotion, without reaching too far, without sounding overly dramatic and forced...There's absolutely no one alive who can stand in her shoes. Patti flat-out knows how to sing...Period...Ended!!!

Buy this album...No better still rush out and grab it ASAP. It's the next best thing to hearing Patti Lu Pone live. Last night's performance was an extraordinary opportunity to hear the greatest living torch singer on the planet. Take it to the bank...Patti delivers. You'll love this album. And if you don't, go out and get your ears checked!!!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It Will Grow On You, May 18, 2006

By 

terroh "terroh" (OH) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

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This review is from: The Lady With The Torch (Audio CD)

I've enjoyed Patti Lupone on her Broadway recordings, but wasnt sure what to expect from this, as I've never bought any of her studio recordings. If you are expecting more of a Broadway performance here, you may be disappointed at first (I was), but with repeated listenings, I've really grown to love this CD. This is a more subdued singer, but it fits really well with the song selections, though some of these songs really arent torch songs per se. There are some classic songs here (The Man I Love) along with some songs I hadnt heard before (A Cottage For Sale). Very nice orchestral arrangements too. Some of the best cuts: I Wanna Be Around (her vindictiveness is infectious!);My Buddy; Body and Soul; (both wonderful): I'm Through With Love. The final cut, Dont Like Goodbyes is one of my favorite Harold Arlen songs and ends the set beautifully. A very nice selection of torchy songs that are thoughtfully performed.