Customer Reviews

No One Is Alone

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Barbara Cook is an American treasure. No One is Alone, is based on a performance she gave at Carnegie Hall in November 2006. I attended a similar concert in Boston in March 2007. The title is a Sondheim ballad from "Into the Woods", and the text and her delivery brings so much meaning to anyone trying to move forward during anguishing times.

The texture of her gorgeous lyric voice is fuller than ever, and she knows and expresses the work of Sondheim, Bernstein, Rogers & Hammerstein 2nd and more, better than anyone else.

Having grown up in the 1950's, I certainly remember Peter Pan, but Barbara Cook gives new meaning to "Never, Never Land". Each time I hear her sing this song, my eyes fill with tears ... hoping one day we will meet each other there.

This album is the Best of the Best. The only thing better is a live concert with her singing right in front of you!

Several years ago, I was privileged to attend a concert given by Ms. Cook when she was at the stately age of 75. A few months ago, I had a twice-in-a-lifetime experience when I attended another concert by Ms. Cook - at the even more stately age of nearly 80! She turned a 2500-seat concert hall into an intimate salon and captured every person in the theater. This CD? What a treat! Her voice is rich and mellow and true. Her style ranges from comedy to jazz to blues to just plain lovely. There is not a bad cut on this CD - fresh interpretations, excellent arrangements, and to top it all off, the finale from "Candide," in which she played the original Cunegonde. How wonderful to hear her sing the opening verse again.

This CD is a must-have for Barbara Cook fans AND for any aspiring Broadway singers who would like to have a voice coaching for the price of a CD.

This most recent CD reveals that Barbara Cook's interpretive powers have only grown: how could you not be moved by "Something's Coming" from West Side Story, with a wonderful combination of Bernstein's upbeat tempo and some lovely, reflective moments. With Sondheim's "No One is Alone" and "No More" from "Into the Woods" and some pieces from "Passion, a little Rogers and Hammerstein and finally ending up with "Make our Garden Grow" from Bernstein's "Candide," fans of Cook's miraculous artistry are in for a never-too-soon fix. Those of you who love musical theatre and don't know this glorious treasure have a huge treat in store. Don't wait. Push that button now!

Barbara Cook is a legend and this album proves it . No One is Alone is gift to ones ears she is a singer you never get tired of hearing. Each selection is a gem. Selections such as the opening song" Something 's Coming" and "No One Is Alone " and ending with "Make Our Garden Grow". There is a richness to her voice that shines as maturity sets in but she sound so intimate as she is singing just to you personally. Barbara Cook is a great singer and this album proves it.

For those of you who have never seen or heard Barbara Cook, I urge you to get out there and discover this talent. She performs consistently with sensitivity and passion. She IS the ultimate performer. This album will tempt you to get all her other CD's. Just get this CD, put it on, turn down the lights and have a little wine, relax and let yourself go........! I've seen her live over a dozen times now and each year she seems to get better and better....if that is possible. Better than perfect? Enjoy!!!

Barbara Cook wraps her gifted voice around a number of favorites from the world of musicals, everything from Passion to Peter Pan. The arrangements are simple but heartfelt and will stay in your ear long after the CD has stopped playing. A must buy for fans of Barbara Cook or musicals!

This is the best Barbara Cook CD in a long time. The choice of material is outstanding and Barbara is in great voice.

as usual Barbara cook deliver a great album, her timeless voice fits perfectly with the choice of songs she made.

The voice is still beautiful but unfortunately so many of the songs have already been recorded by her. Why not new material? Also there is just a small combo to back her up when she always sounds so much better with a full orchestra. Barbara - you are alone on this album - why didn't you invite some more friends to record with you?

Forget the fact that Ms. Cook is celebrating her 80th birthday in October. This recording is breathtaking for its vocal and emotional artistry and integrity, and any student of the vocal art will be blown away by her total mastery of this baker's dozen group of songs. Impossible to pick the highlight; perhaps Sondheim's "No More," or her amazing connection of his "One More Kiss" and "Goodbye for Now" (two songs that have sadly had few recordings). Certainly the final duet with the equally remarkable Kelli O'Hara of "Make Our Garden Grow" from CANDIDE, Ms. Cook's triumph of over 50 years ago, should bring chills and tears to the hardest of souls.