Customer Reviews

The Story Goes On: Liz Callaway On & Off Broadway

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Liz Callaway has pulled together a melange from the musical theater canon on this CD. It includes some unorthodox takes on classics from SOUTH PACIFIC, ANNIE GET YOUR GUN, and OLIVER! It also features songs from less successful shows, including THE BAKER'S WIFE, BABY, and BIG. There's also some pieces from truly obscure ventures, such as BROWNSTONE and 13 DAYS TO BROADWAY.

Ms. Callaway's rendition of five of the songs are remarkable: "Since You Stayed Here" is ballad by a character of great strength; "Meadowlark" sparkles with a lust for life and the relief after making a tough decision; "Stop, Time" speaks of the disappointments formed in the very joys of raising a child; "Marry Me a Little" (dropped from Stephen Sondheim's COMPANY) builds on the energy of being afraid to commit; and the title song is a statement of a unique sensation that a woman feels during pregnancy.

Most of the other songs are also very enjoyable, but two may be in styles a little avant-garde for the average musical theater listener to enjoy. "One Boy" is sung in a 1950's radio style (complete with a reading of some lyrics over the accompaniment) to match the ambience of the source show, BYE BYE BIRDIE. "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair" features a relentless rock drumbeat that ties in titles of other SOUTH PACIFIC songs in the adventurous coda.

The two duets on the album, "Where Is Love?" with Billy Porter (a fellow burghtenor) and "Our Time" with Ms. Callaway's sister, Anne Hampton Callaway, do not work. The strong and simple messages of these songs are lost in the excessive "pop style" improvisational ornamentation.

These problems aside, I like this CD a lot. The two Maltby and Shire songs about motherhood make it a great present for a pregnant musical theater lover.

If she just hadn't done that awful duet with Billy Porter it would have 5 stars plus. I have to skip that one song each time because it is annoying, it does not fit with this CD. From the opening You there in the back row, to A place called home, you can feel the singer on the stage filling you with the emotions of each song. If the story goes on does not give you goose bumps you do not have a family. Her voice sells the music and the emotions. This is a wonderfull set of songs and performances, for she is a performer not just a singer.

... I thought I recognized the voice but I couldn't quite place it. I finally realized that she was the singing voice of Anastacia in the animated movie. Meg Ryan was the speaking voice. Liz Callaway has one of the clearest voices I have ever heard and also a very strong voice. I love her rendition of Knowing When to Leave/Promises, Promises by Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Great arrangements. Dionne Warwick, who I am also a fan of covered Promises, and the Carpenters sang a version of Knowing When to Leave. I'm also a Carpenters' fan. On this album all the songs are Broadway. Many I hadn't heard before but love now due to Liz. The first song, You There in the Backrow is a tribute to fans of shows. "Watch me sing my song for you" the words go. Liz makes you want to jump to your feet. Liz does a rendition of I' Gonna Wash that Man Right Out of My Hair from South Pacific, rock version. I can't say that's my favorite, but favorite to one of my friends. Since You Stayed Here, another unknown song to me, is quiet and hauntingly beautiful. Bette Midler does a version of this I think on her CD with From a Distance. She sings a duet with her sister, Ann Hampton Callaway who sings on Sibling Revelry with Liz. Ann wrote and sang the theme from The Nanny. The song Liz and Callaway and here sister does is Our Time. It's also on Sibling Revelry. Great duet. One of my favorites on the CD is Marry Me a Little by Stephen Sondheim. The words are a plea to marry me, a little. The song is an almost a desperate plea to marry me but you don't have to make promises you don't want to, an open marriage? Make a few demands a few that I'm able to fulfill. She sings I'm ready. We won't have to give up a thing, we'll stay who we are the words say. Someone I'm Ready. I would give this song 5 stars on its own. It makes me cry because she sounds like she will settle but at the same time she wants the love fully. The arrngements on this album are unique. She sings I've Got the Sun in the Morning from Annie Get Your Gun jazzy. Most of the other songs on the album are not known by most people. I can only say that Liz makes you want to see these shows and she pulls you in. I think I've become her biggest fan. I'm a singer too. I could see myself singing with her. I have her The Beat Goes On album too with sixties hits. I hope that people will get to know her because if you haven't heard this or her voice, you are going to be deprived of a remarkale clear strong voice. Buy this. I promise you won't be sorry! One more addition, Meadowlark. Spectacular! The story tells of someone hesitating because the time wasn't right and she learns from the story to live your life, climb every mtn.

Liz Callaway can sing virtually any song, and make it speak to you. Her voice has pathos but also strength, so even weaker songs are enhanced. In this collection, virtually every cut is a winner. From Promises,Promises to Marry Me A Little to the title cut. Definitely worth buying for winsome melodies on and off Broadway. The only clunker, for me, was the smarmy arrangement of WHERE IS LOVE, that left me cold. Even then, Callaway's rich voice soothed.

Liz Callaway has the most astonishingly beautiful voice I have ever heard. Soaring, captivating, exciting and totally riveting. She can hold a note in perfect pitch for what seems like a day and a half. This CD is a wonderful showcase for her magnificent vocal talents, and it's fairly obvious that she herself loves every single song. I also love most of the songs on the album, and those selections are heartstoppingly beautiful. The telling point for me, however, is that her phenomenal voice allows me to also immensely enjoy the songs whose style and phrasing I don't particularly care for. My 5 year old daughter "discovered" Ms Callaway as the singing voice of Anastasia, and we noted with great pleasure that she has released a couple of CDs. We hope there are many more to come. She has a voice for the Ages.

I bought this CD because it was recommended to those that bought Nancy LaMott CD's. While Liz is no Nancy, she has become one of my favorites. Her interpretations are excellent and I like her tonal qualities too. I would buy it again.

The Billy Porter duet is one of the most unique and thrilling songs on the cd. What a fantastic re-invention of that song. And their voices by themselves and together are glorious. Its all personal taste and by no means is that the only good song. Its probably THE best solo cd by a broadway artist. Incredible!

I love this album. There are a few songs I kinda skip, because it was just weird. That song being "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Out of my Hair", weird. I loved the duet "Where is Love" from the musical Oliver. "Stop,Time" from the musical BIG (grab your puffs!). I enjoyed the 50's sounding "One Boy!" from Bye,Bye Birdie. Liz has a wonderful range, and flattering childish tone to her voice, reaching notes that would take me years of training to ever reach again! She has complied all these exciting songs and ends the album with "A Place Called Home", from A Christmas Carol. I could never give her enough praise. If you like Strisand, and Sintra, you'll love her too! :-) Liz is always shinning when she sings! Enjoy!

The performances here never drop below amazing. The songs, for the most part, are showstoppers, and Liz Callaway clearly loves to sing them. My favorites are "You There In the Back Row," "Meadowlark," and "Our Time," the duet with sister Ann Hampton Callaway, but every song is excellent.

This is an incredible album which combines the talents of the best singer I have ever heard, Liz Callaway, with a wonderful selection of popular and unknown musical theater songs. Meadowlark, Since You Stayed Here, and Marry Me A Little are the best numbers, but all are great. My favorite CD of all time.