"What a pleasure it is to hear Kiri sing these EVERGREENS. This could possibly be her finest cd. On this particular cd Kiri really belts out the songs. This is unusual for her, because her style is more laid back than what's performed here. On this cd I think she would be considered a very polished crooner(possibly a supped up Barbra Striesand)I thought Peter Matz did a great job with his arrangements. The orchestra sounded right on target for most songs. The main concern I had for this cd was the song selection. I thought Kiri could have added a few more big gems from C.P.'s repertoire.All I can say is buy this cd. It will please!"
Coming to Kiri's rescue
Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 07/02/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I am delighted to counter the carping, grouchy reviews that this crossover CD from Kiri Te Kanawa has received here. I am not a die-hard fan of hers in pop standards. Her early venture into Gerhswin didn't swing, and her Eliza Doolittle in a studio-bound My Fair Lady was stiff and reserved. But this Cole Porter anthology shows considerable growth in achieving her own personal version of Broadway style. Kiri is very easy-going and phrases quite naturally. She is in sympathy with Porter's sophistication, and her impeccable intonation certainly helps when it comes to the composer's tricky chromatic melodies.
I can't see why anyone would get anythng but the purest pleasure from this, the best of Kiri's crossover efforts along with her Jerome Kern album (it succeeds because of Kern's indebtedness to operetta)."
Porter
puccinigirl | Shawnee, Oklahoma United States | 08/27/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This is a nice collection of Porter by a wonderful singer. Kiri may not give the greatest interpretation of American music (try Dawn Upshaw), but it is still a delightful collection. The arrangements are interesting and you have to apprectiate the big-band sound. Over-all, a fine collection."
Accompaniment too loud, else 5 stars
puccinigirl | 11/19/1998
(4 out of 5 stars)
""Kiri Sings Kern" is a better choice of the four: "Kiri Sings Gershwin", "...kern", "...Porter", "...Berlin""