You're the Top

Bobby Short, Cole Porter | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 22, 1999)
• Original Release Date: June 22, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Telarc
• ASIN: B00000JDBY
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #57,022 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Cole Porter's songs have long enjoyed a special place in Bobby Short's repertoire, but this set gives additional luster with fine fresh arrangements by Short, guitarist Howard Alden, and tenor saxophonist-conductor Loren Schoenberg, among others. Short is the ideal artist for Porter's songs, and it's more than mere respect for lyrics and his meticulous diction and musicality. He seems to live inside Porter's world, with its archly comic sophistication, its ambiguities, and its suddenly pointed insights. Above all, Short is able to find the subtle emotional tones that these songs require to be fully realized, the celebratory with hints of losses past and to come, the wistful knowledge that experience must be seized to be savored. The accompaniments range from Short's piano through duets with Alden or bassist Frank Tate to a fine small group and a big band, and along the way there are particularly good solo contributions by Alden and trumpeter Virgil Jones. Amid the sentiment there are two of Porter's witty list songs. "You're the Top," with its manic inventory of all things good and beautiful--Mahatma Gandhi, Mickey Mouse, Pepsodent, Jimmy Durante's nose--is spirited, while "Can-Can," another inventive inventory--"If an elm and an oak and an ash can, Baby, you can cancan too"--is delivered with broad humor and sly insinuation. Short is the ultimate cabaret singer; his art is timeless rather than nostalgic. --Stuart Broomer

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars NOTHING BEATS SHORT SINGING PORTER, February 1, 2000

By 

Alex Udvary (chicago, il United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: You're the Top (Audio CD)

Bobby Short has to be the leading Cole Porter interpreter today. It's hard not to think of Short and not picture him singing Porter. As for Cole Porter he is simplely the GREATEST composer that ever lived. In my opinion. I never heard Short sing some of the songs on this album and was wondering when he would record them. For instance "What Is This Thing Called Love" which is a or should I say WAS a very popular song. There's something extra here in this album,Short now works with a orchestra. Also he has Howard Alden playing his great guitar. I happened to hear Alden in the movie "Sweet and Lowdown". Short once again makes a great album. If your a fan of Cole Porter's music or Bobby Short...YOU HAVE TO GET THIS!