Customer Reviews

What's a Nice Girl Like You

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

 

 

Considering the fact that almost every new album that gets made and distributed these days has over-the-top pyrotechnic vocals, this project is quite refreshing and welcome. Darrin Baker sings the material with warmth and sincerity and the result is this charming project. Best of all, his guests are some of the most talented singers on the New York stage -- the Karen Mason cut ("Far Away From Home/Angelina") is worth the price of the CD alone. Try something different!

Baker has talent, no question, and his co-horts are some of the best leading ladies in theater today, but this CD sounds as if it were recorded at the bottom of an oil-drum. And the "cute" factor wears thin awfully fast.
A vanity album not worth the investment.

I wish all Broadway CDs could be as completely enjoyable and listenable as this one. Mr. Baker has a gorgeous voice with incredible phrasing and musicality. And so versatile! He sings duets with 8 different women (and one man), each one a different style or range or period and he shines brightly on all. And yet manages to give the utmost respect and room for his diva partners. Who all impress the hell out of me, by the way. Each one so well suited to their own material. According to the liner notes, Mr. Baker has worked with all of them in one way or another and those previous relationships really come through in the way each duet has a distinct flavor. My favorite tracks are You're Far Away From Home/Angelina with Karen Mason and Being With You with Liz Larsen. And what amazes me most is that unlike most CDs by Broadway performers, I can listen to it over and over, either giving it serious attention or just as enjoyable background music at a dinner party. I think that comes from the jazz influence, keeping it from being a one-shot listen and turning it into something that has stayed in my CD rotation since I bought it.

Amazon recommended this cd based presumably on another purchase I had made. The other cd was wonderful. This one [is bad]. What a waste of time, material and money. The singing is amateurish, the arrangements are juvenile - it is just simply ridiculous... Why Amazon would choose to put it on anyone's recommendation list I just can't imagine. I will never again accept one of their recommendations. This one ruined that for me.

The CD had disappointing arrangements except for a knockout take on "A Room Without Windows" from the musical "What Makes Sammy Run". The compilation is fun as a curiousity piece of singers and non-singers joining in duet with a very vibrant vocalist. The orchestrations were thin and the general mix was unsatisfactory. I enjoyed hearing Baker and look forward to a solo album, fully produced.

At this time, please refer to the title! This CD is amazing! Darrin Backer is wonderful, and he sings with the leading girls of broadway. He creates spectacular randitions of popular songs, and it's well worth listening to. I listened to the CD 5 times in one day. I advise you to buy the CD immediately, before they are all gone. You'll be thrilled when you hear all that is in store for you!