Customer Reviews

Songs of New York

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

 

 

This recording is a must for anyone in love with the romance of New York, or at least the way it used to be, say 60 or so years ago when Cole Porter ruled the song-writing world. It's easy to imagine living in a penthouse high above Central Park, stirring martinis, when listening to it, especially the slow tempo "Autumn in New York," which Short delivers so beautifully. The melancholy of the song never fails to move you back to a slower, simpler and more peaceful time. The other songs are equally enjoyable and memorable and are perfectly recorded to reflect the intimate nature of the Carlyle itself. Each song is met with a smattering of applause and cheers from the audience. You feel you are there, a few feet from the stand, enjoying a drink in the dark with that special someone. The musicians joining Short are superb, of course, and it's evident they enjoy playing together. A highlight is Vache's coronet, which in a single note can capture the skyline of New York.

I have not been too much of a fan of Bobby Short in the past, because I greatly prefer jazz singing to cabaret singing. But I took a flyer on this CD because it had some unusual songs, plus Short works out with a jazz combo on this recording from the Café Carlyle. Short really does about everything a jazz singer does, except that he's more theatrical. I loved the CD, from beginning to end - great songs, put over by a first-rate entertainer whom I've got to look into more.

Had a 50th birthday party in NYC.Some of my friends and I took the trip together from California.I had purchased this as a gift for them.All the songs were wonderful and most became an anthem for us as we drank and dined our way through that great city.

These songs are chestnuts from the great American Songbook, but Bobby sounds tired here. The backup band is stellar though. Not a great intro for the Mr Short novice, but a collector might like it.