No comments about Dancing.

No comments about Broadway: Golden Age of Musica 1919-1946.

No comments about Su Jeunesse.

No comments about Portrait of Billie Holiday.

No comments about Etoiles de la Chanson.

No comments about The Passion of Edith Piaf.

1 comments about Legendary Nina Simone.

1. bag. chronicling Ms. Simone's work from the mid 60s to the early 70s, there are both some fabulous- i.e., Backlash Blues, Nobody's Fault But Mine, Mississippi Goddam- and some (at least borderline) atrocious- i.e., My Sweet Lord- cuts to be found here. that said, this collection is still certainly worth your checking out, what with its 3 discs, especially if you can come across it for around $15 or so (as I did at my local Borders a while back). almost but not quite 4 stars.

3 comments about This Is No Dream.

1. In this album, Audrey Lavine explores her voice with songs that conduct us to the time they were writted by Gershwin, Mercer, Parish. And finish it with the hopeful message replicated to the world by Walt Disney's films - When you wish upon a star. Enjoy it.



2. When I discovered this album, I knew that I just had to have it because I love the diversity of material here. Audrey has a crystal clear, high soprano that may not appeal to everybody but I love it. She is a talented singer whose repertoire draws heavily on the Great American Songbook, but who also enjoys modern songs too.

   I know not why Audrey chose to record the obscure Dolly Parton song, Waltz me to heaven, but Audrey's cover is truly inspired. This album also contains a cover of Honey can I put on your clothes (a Leiber and Stoller song that Barbra Streisand included on her Songbird album), Caramel (Suzanne Vega), How sad no one waltzes any more (a modern theatrical song) and She's always a woman (Billy Joel). All of those covers are outstanding and sit comfortably alongside the old standards.

   Audrey followed up this debut album with a tribute album to Harold Arlen, but there are also some great Harold Arlen songs here (Out of this world, I gotta right to sing the blues, Wail of the reefer man, I had myself a true love) to get you started.

   Among the other old standards are two contrasting Gershwin songs (How long has this been going on, Fascinating rhythm), an Irving Berlin song (Shaking the blues away) and the classic Disney song When you wish upon a star.

   This truly incredible album may be too eclectic for mass appeal, but the remarkable aspect of it is that every song feels like it belongs here. To appreciate this album fully, you need to enjoy music of the early twentieth century while also enjoying more modern songs. I do, but do you?




3. this is Ms. Lavine's first Cd - and it is quite a debut - this review is being written after the release of her second CD - "at home with arlen" - which is even better.

   I think the only real weakness - is she worked hard to show her range - and so the CD is not as consistent as I would have liked. But once she gets warmed up, it is a very pleasant listening experience.

   I enjoyed this Cd enough to buy her latest work right after it was released!

   to learn more about the singer - view her web page - audreylavine.com

No comments about Songbook.

No comments about This Is Art Deco.