Customer Reviews

Sondheim Etc. Etc.: Bernadette Peters Live at Carnegie Hall (The Rest of It)

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

 

 

If you love Bernadette Peters, you'll love this CD. However, her original Carnegie Hall album is much better than this one. I will never understand why they didn't release the entire concert as a double CD in 1997 (especially since a full-length DVD of the performance has been available for years). Instead they picked the best highlights from the show for the first CD, and then eight years later they decided to throw the rest of the selections onto another CD. The result is that both CDs lack continuity and the first CD is much better than this one. That being said, however, this IS Bernadette Peters we're talking about, and there is no such thing as a "weak" Bernadette Peters performance. The songs on "Live at Carnegie Hall (The Rest of It)" are all classic Bernadette, and they're all fabulous: "Unexpected Song" and "Children Will Listen" are two of my favorites, along with the lovely encore of "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas." The album would be even better, however, if it had been released eight years ago along with the rest of the songs that Bernadette performed during that memorable concert at Carnegie Hall.

I really love Bernadette Peters singing Sondheim. She is also one of the very few singers I'd listen to for voice alone when the material isn't that interresting in itself.

Here we have a few more Sondheim tunes - "Later" is worth the price of the album itself. "I Believe In You" have been recorded other places, but not as beautiful as here. "With So Little To Be Sure Of" is a gorgeous song, here combined with the more dull "Children Will Listen".

Of all Peters' renditions I've heard of "Unexpected Song", I think this is the best. It is one of Andrew Lloyd Webber's greatest songs.

The rest of the album consists of less interresting material, but is still awfully nice to listen to. As with the first Sondheim, Etc, I'd recommend getting to know the songs in their original context, then immediately buy this gem!

We were fortunate enough to see Bernadette in concert in Medford, Oregon, and loved her performance. We couldn't wait to order both of her Carnegie Hall CDs. We were not disappointed. Wow, what a voice that lady has been blessed with!

Most of the songs included on this CD are superior to Peters' original 1997 CD of highlights from this benefit concert at Carnegie Hall. Given that that CD was superb, this one only enhances Ms. Peters reputation as a technically skilled and deeply interpretive singing actress. And her inner warmth toward her audience radiates throughout. Having seen her at the encore of the Broadway revival of "Gypsy", raising funds for Actor's Equity Fights Aids in the most genteel, warm and ingratiating style one can imagine, it's obvious this performer has respect for and appreciates her audience. Now. let's get to the music.

Peters is in exceptional voice throughout and some of these lesser known songs display her uniquely personal yet humorous style of interpreting a song's meaning, always a special treat with this lady. Using Ginger Roger's pig-latin rendition of "We're in the Money" is a canny way to begin this CD, and it immediately warms listener to performer, but the best is yet to come. Her rendition of "Unexpected Song" from her Tony-winning role in "Song and Dance" surpasses the one on the original cast recording and is immediately followed buy an exquisitely reorchestrated version of "Faithless Love" from her mid-90s disc, a beautiful example of her growth as a mature vocalist. Stunning.

And the surprises keep coming. Peter Allen's "I Never Thought I'd Break" from her late 70s solo debut is an unexpectedly moving and beautifully interpreted song that proves Allen was more than glitz and glamour. She also sings Stephen Sondheim's little known "(They Ask Me Why) I Believe in You" in such a stirring manner you think you've always known this atypical Sondheim song. Of special note, she renders the rarely sung "Later" from Sondheim's "A Little Night Music" in a manner that exposes both her vocal expertise (listen to that sustained high note!) and her instinctive humor. A real treat.

Finally, she closes the concert with an audience participation rendition of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" because this concert originally occurred in December, 1996. It's so warmly delivered (by everyone) that even though I bought this CD in July, it immediately put me in the Christmas spirit.

The bottom line about this CD is that Bernadette Peters has never been presented on a recording in all of her facets as effectively as this disc does. One of the great ones.

Bernadette Peters is at her best in this concert, warm, energetic, tender. The selection of songs is very good and her interpretations are inspired. She makes the most of her vocal range and one of a kind sound. Even though this is a follow up to the original album it is a great album in its own right. You won't be disapointed.

Jennifer K. Lafferty
Author of Offbeat Love Stories and More

There is far too little Sondheim and far too much over amplified applause. I wish I had listened before I purchased. Even the good song selections are hampered by the tedious applause.

Think Bernadette Peters must be preferably watched while she is singing.Yet, this cd is worth buying. Search for DVD edition better.