Barbara Cook at the Met with Special Guests [Live]

Barbara Cook

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 6, 2006)
• Original Release Date: April 18, 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Live
• Label: Drg
• ASIN: B000EQ5WLM
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #105,116 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. It They Could See Me Now

2. It’s Not Where You Start

3. It Might As Well Be Spring

4. A Wonderful Guy

5. I Had Myself A True Love

6. Another 100 People/So Many People

7. The Gentleman Is A Dope

8. Them There Eyes

9. Sweet Dreams

10. Errol Flynn

11. When Did I Fall In Love (Audra MacDonald)

12. Blue Skies (Barbara Cook & Audra MacDonald)

13. Last Night When We Were Young

14. In Buddy’s Eyes

15. Nashville Nightingale

16. Not While I’m Around (Josh Groban)

17. Move On (Barbara Cook & Josh Groban)

18. This Nearly Was Mine

19. Not A Day Goes By/Losing My Mind

20. We’ll Be Together Again

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

What's left for singers who already have Carnegie Hall under their belts? The Metropolitan Opera. Except it's not that easy for non-classical performers. On January 20, 2006, Barbara Cook--a Carnegie habitué, where she performed, for instance, her Sondheim tribute--became the first cabaret singer to perform at the Met as part of the house's regular season. It's a fitting choice: Cook, after all, is acknowledged as one of the very finest interpreters of the American Songbook. Backed simply by a quintet, the 78-year-old singer is at the top of her game, and even if her voice has lost its smooth luster, it's not about crystalline purity anymore, but about a woman filling every word and breath with decades of experience. She starts off with a tweaked version of Sweet Charity's "If They Could See Me Now" ("If they could see me now, that little gang of mine/Standing where Domingo sings with James Levine") then goes down an impeccable list of standards, most of which she's recorded before (but hey, it's gotta be classics at the Met). Cook is joined by two guests (Elaine Stritch was also at the show but isn't on the CD): Audra McDonald (sounding a little less smooth than usual on the solo "When Did I Fall in Love?" but recovering nicely for a duo with Cook on "Blue Skies") and Josh Groban (a lovely rendition of Sondheim's "Not While I'm Around" on his own, and another Sondheim piece, "Move On," with Cook). --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Here again, June 13, 2006

By	Wm Reeves Gilmore (houston, texas United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If the Fates told me I could only have one Barbara Cook recording in the afterlife, it would be this one. Most of the tracks have been recorded by Ms Cook before, some several times; however, this incarnation is reminiscent of a fine single-malt Scotch that first excites the senses then settles into a mellow and pleasurable experience. Here is a compilation of most of my favorites. I don't really need to listen to the other recordings, but I will. The voice just gets richer and richer with the passage of time.

Audra and Josh, the newcomers, are welcomed additions to the recording. Quite simply, this recording is a pleasure and a treasure.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Barbara Cook, Josh Groban & Audra McDonald, June 26, 2006

By	Bruce Aguilar (Hollywood, CA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

I was lucky enough to be there for the actual concert and I can honestly say that this CD makes me feel like I am there all over again. Ms. Cooks voice is as impeccable as ever, cutting to the emotional heart of each song. Yes we've heard Ms. Cook sing most of these in the past, but the extra special setting of the Metropolitan Opera infused Ms. Cook (and the entire evening) with an added spark that was palpable and clearly evident on this recording. This is not to be missed.

My only complaint is that Elaine Stritch's performances were not included on this recording as the two really played well off each other. But no worries the duets with Audra McDonald and Josh Groban are also very compelling. Listen especially to the duet with Josh Groban which is acted so well by both. It's songs like this that make me wish Barbara could be in a musical again.

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What A Treat!, June 11, 2006

By	Fan (Michigan-USA<P>Michigan-United States) - See all my reviews

At 78 years of age Barbara can still sing -- I knew nothing about her until performances with Josh Groban (Hollywood Bowl 2005). Her introduction to Josh and duet with him ("Move On") are fabulous. I especially love "Not While I'm Around" -- the range of Mr. Groban's voice is amazing, magical, etc! Audra McDonald is also good and many of Barbara's songs are just enjoyable to listen to (Errol Flynn, It Might As Well Be Spring, Nashville Nightingale, etc). Barbara's interaction with Josh, Audra and audience are wonderful. For a live performance, this CD is definitely one of the best I've heard. Eric Stern on piano adds an additional thumbs up!