There's A Small Hotel: Live At The Algonquin [Live]

Mary Cleere Haran | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 7, 1992)
• Original Release Date: April 7, 1992
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Live
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000028KZ
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #186,496 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Miss Haran is definately witty!, April 14, 2002

By 

Aaron B. (u.s.a.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: There's A Small Hotel: Live At The Algonquin (Audio CD)

Mary Cleere Haran is one of those classy caberet singers that has the special gift of SWING(which most cabaret singers aren't nessicarily gifted with, the only other one I can think of, off hand is the gifted Wesla Whitfield), here on this live cd recorded at the historical Oak Room she sings a variety of swing and jazz standards and lost gems mostly from the 20's thru 40's, the opener is a real gem which includes the rare verse on "Let's Do It", then the charming Miss Haran talks about wit, she also sings a hauntingly beautiful "A Fine Romance" and great renditions of "There's A Small Hotel", "I Concentarate On You" and perhaphs the finest recorded version ever of "Waters Of March." One doesn't mind Haran's informitive and witty remarks between each song, she's truly a classy cabaret swinger blessed with a gorgeous voice. Definately worth picking up(also get her latest "Crazy Rhythm"). All of Haran's cd's are consistant in quality for she only uses the finest jazzman to back her up, and she loves the standards and forgotten gems too(& she often sings the verses to many standards). Buy this one!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Haran defines Oak Room elegence with a warm voice, August 1, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Long Island, New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: There's A Small Hotel: Live At The Algonquin (Audio CD)

Haran hits a home run with this live album. She invites the everyday person into the exclusive world of the Algonquin's Oak Room where she makes all feel welcome. She combines superb music selection with a keen wit, so missed among today's performers. Haran has chosen her back-up musicians well, and they only help complement the warm, umber voice of Haran. Her stories regarding the pieces and their writers both entertain and inform. Additionally, the diversity of the pieces (everything from Jobim's very Latin-sounding Waters of March to Dorothy Field's "provocative" Let's Do It) represents Haran's ability as a singer of American Popular Standards, showtunes, jazz stand-bys and world rythyms. The end of the album features Haran paying homage to Tony Bennett, the successor to the late Frank Sinatra as guardian of the old-school crooners, who is in the audience. Mr. Bennett's voice can barely be heard thanking Haran for her praise and at this, Haran appears very ! nervous, making her seem to the listener as one of us, not an upity cabaret singer. This is a superb way to tie in the vintage tunes (Bennett) to the young, energetic singer (Haran). Good job, Mary!

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars S'Wonderful, April 27, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: There's A Small Hotel: Live At The Algonquin (Audio CD)

We had a wonderful evening listening to Ms. Haran perform in New York a few years ago. This live recording captures her charm and wit, which is at the core of her art. We loved her stories about growing up Catholic in San Francisco. Its an excellent live recording of her cabaret act. Thank you, Mary.