Customer Reviews

Men in My Life

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

We've heard Alison Fraser on recordings before, among them "March of the Falsettos," "Secret Garden," and "Romance, Romance," but never before have I been treated to 20 songs by Alison on one CD.

"Men in My Life" includes some standards (like "Young at Heart") sung in a way-above-standard style, as well as original works that provide Fraser with the chance to show off her vocal style, range and power.

Among my personal favorites are the opening title ("Storyteller"), "Wrong For Me," and a beautiful solo version of "Romantic Notions" from that underplayed musical, "Romance, Romance."

With the depth of feeling and range of emotion demonstrated in this performance, it is clear to see (hear?) why Alison Fraser has been repeatedly nominated for awards, recorded, and praised for her onstage work.

My only question for Alison is this: When can we expect the next CD? I hope soon (and I might suggest that a Christmas CD would be a welcome addition to the current stock of holiday music available!)

Thanks for a GREAT musical experience!

John Nolan

Alison Fraser's "Men In My Life" is a sexy, smart, brilliantly conceived, well-orchestrated blast of creativity. Alison brings her uniquely sultry and beautifully appealing voice, and her profound hipness to re-examine and re-interpret some old tunes and adds some new ones -- even some she wrote. This CD is remarkably intimate - and somehow blends the best of B'way, pop, and rock into a personal statement that is simply irresistible... and don't miss William Finn's idiosyncratic cut -- his international recording debut!

Alison Fraser has done a superb job in this album! The vast variety of music she has chosen makes "Men In My Life" an extra-special treat, not only for her loyal fans, but for new listeners as well. With a delightful combination of favorites, and not-so-well-known theatre songs, she sings them all as if they were her children. I have never came across such a diverse album! It is not possible for me to chose a favorite! I love the vice medley, where she sings "Smoke", "Put It On My Tab", "Show Me The Way To Go Home", and "The Pill Song". Then, she goes into "The Passion of Rhoda", a duet with Willaim Finn, from "In Trousers". I listen to the album everyday. While people at school listen to Rap, disgustingly unoriginal pop music, or punk rock, I have my headphones out, listening to Alison. Before school, and before going to bed, it is a wonderful way to start and end the day. Alison Fraser is my absolute favorite actress and singer of all time. I hope she never stops recording new and interesting albums!

Alison Fraser's follow-up album to the wonderful A NEW YORK ROMANCE is her breath-taking MEN IN MY LIFE. And what a life it is! Her eclectic choice of songs reveals a tapestry woven with passion warmth and an incredible voice. A consumate singer and actress, she takes you on a thrilling musical ride which you will not want to get off. I am addicted to this record! I can't stop listening to it! The cure can only be more Alison recordings. Pay particular attention to her Elvis Costello cover "Everyday I Write the Book" and the marvelous "Parallel Lines" (that percussion!)by Todd Rundgren. Rusty Magee's "Wrong for Me" should get constant radio play, and "The Vice Medley" will slay you - quite literally. ROMANCE/ROMANCE fans should delight in hearing Alison's solo rendition of the beautiful "Romantic Notions" - the perfect song to listen to while sipping cocktails on a verandah at sunset this summer. The title track "Men in My Life" written by Alison and her brilliant producer, Christopher McGovern, will leave you weak and begging for more from this terrific team. Hooray for Alison Fraser! And hooray for us that she continues to grace our lives with her shimmering talent.

This album is a find. Singer/actress Alison Fraser's marvelous, evocative voice brings to life a remarkable variety of songs with grace, passion, and humor - and a deft touch that makes each one special. They range from emotional and affecting ("Wrong For Me") to perversely funny ("The Pill Song") to nostalgic/romantic ("Romantic Notions") to steaming hot ("Smoke"). Her very personal rendition of Elvis Costello's "Every Day I Write the Book" leaves me with goose bumps. The "men in my life" theme that ties these diverse songs together adds an extra dimension, touching chords in the listener that make them even more personal and engaging. This album can hook you. When I first got it I temporarily put it in the slot in my car normally occupied by my navigation CD. It's still there. I'm lost more, but with Alison Fraser to listen to, who cares? This album is a treasure. Many, many stars.

This album is in a class apart.. Singer/actress Alison Fraser's marvelous, evocative voice brings to life a remarkable variety of songs with grace, passion, and humor. The songs range from emotional and affecting ("Wrong For Me") to perversely funny ("The Pill Song") to nostalgic/romantic ("Romantic Notions") to steaming hot ("Smoke"). Her very personal rendition of Elvis Costello's "Every Day I Write the Book" leaves me with goose bumps. The "men in my life" theme that ties these diverse songs together adds an extra dimension, touching chords in the listener that make them even more personal and engaging. Alison Fraser can hook you. When I first got this album I temporarily put it in the slot in my car CD-player normally occupied by my GPS navigation CD. It's still there. I'm lost more, but with Alison Fraser to listen to, who cares? This album is a treasure. Many, many stars.

It's so wonderful having another solo album from Alison fraser. A new york romanace was stunning but Men In My Life is a dream singing to you! Alison Fraser's voice is powerful and charming at one moment and as sweet as a romantic lulabye the next. I do hope this is just the beginning of the album from this songstress.

If this is how Ms. Fraser honors the men in her life, tell me where to sign up! I thought it had been much too long since A NEW YORK ROMANCE, and was so delighted to have another solo album from this wonderful talent. The music and the beautiful booklet made me think of the people in my own life, and what songs I might use in relationship to them. The CD is sometimes touching, sometimes raunchy ("Smoke" - whew!) I never thought of Ms. Fraser as a performer who much liked the idea of her audience getting to know her personally, but rather as an actor who liked to work in character. This project then is a complete change, and a real gift of sharing to those folks who love her work. Favorite cuts: "Wrong For Me" (been there, lived that!); "Beautiful Land" (I guess I never really heard the lyrics before...and the arrangement is pretty cool); "Smoke" (is that a real match at the beginning of it? - Very funny touch); and "Men In My Life" - I wonder if she has more pop things like this coming out in the future...she sounds great in that vein. I also like the William Finn duet...a very intense song, and the two voices really compliment each other - but then they have worked together for a very long time. Whether you know her work, or not, I would highly recommend this CD. It is a very touching, interesting and beautiful piece of work.

I can't get this CD out of my player. On "The Men in My Life," Alison Fraser reveals that She's Every Woman. Though her voice can have something of a childlike quality, her vocal and interpretive skills enable her to come across as naive as well as worldly-wise, innocent as well as tremendously sexy, and vulnerable as well as triumphant.

While her previous album, "New York Romance" is also one of my favorites, this one is much more satisfying. The earlier CD highlights Ms. Fraser's talents as a theatrical performer (thankfully, it includes her bring-down-the-house (but by no means over-the-top) performance recording "I'm Breaking Down"), but the new one highlights her equally impressive talents as a (for lack of a better word) song stylist. As another reviewer noted, this CD is much more personal -- in fact, I would characterize it as intimate.

Although there is not a bad track on the disc, I must say that the absolute highlight is her performance of Elvis Costello's "Every Day I Write the Book." She shoots straight for both the heart and the mind and hits both targets dead-on. When I'm not listening to the CD, I'm hearing that song in my head.

I cannot express how strongly I recommend this CD. I tell all my friends about it. And if you listen to it, you will know why it is so special and will be compelled to spread the word. I only hope this CD brings Ms. Fraser the huge audience she deserves.

A friend reccomended to me this artist, and I didn't think much more of it until on a whim I searched for her name on Amazon and found this CD. Her voice is amazing! I absolutely love this CD and have already gotten more. I hope to someday see her in a Broadway production (I am a few years too late for "The Secret Garden" ;)) Get this CD if you love amazing singers, which I'm sure most people do!