Search - Patti LuPone :: Live (Highlights)

The DIVA Patti LuPone. 4 1/2 Stars!

Robert Lopez | California | 08/01/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"In 1975 Patti wowed audiences as Rosamund in "The Robber Bridegroom." In 1976, she won the role of Genevieve, over Betty Buckley to sing the now infamous "Meadowlark" from the Musical "The Baker's Wife." She next landed her groundbreaking role of EVITA in 1978. And she has been wowing audiences ever since with her interpretations of Fantine "Les Miz", Nancy "Oliver", Reno "Anything Goes", and Norma "Sunset Blvd." In this CD we get a touch of her Musical Theatre career and also her Cabaret songs.This is the HIGHLIGHTS CD to her 1993 Double Disc Concert CD. It features 17 songs. The CD opens with Cole Porter's "I Get A Kick Out Of You", the show opener for "Anything Goes." She is strong, and her voice is full. Next up are the comical "Everything Happens To Me" (Matt Dennis and Thomas Blair) and the sultry "Lush Life" (Billy Strayhorn). Then she busts out into the crowd rousing "Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens" (Alex Kramer and Joan Whitney). It's an old fashioned, finger snapping, toe tappin' song. Patti does extremely well with these 1940's style songs. Her Back Up Singers are THE MERMAN, featuring John West, Josef Powell, Gene Van Buren, and Byron Motley who nicely compliment Miss LuPone. Next is "My Ship" by Kurt Weill and Ira Gershwin. Patti Then does a heartwrenching interpretation of Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht's "Surabaya Johnny." Listen to the agony in Patti's voice. Just by listening to her acting, it's no surprize she graduated from Juliard. Then Patti does contemporary with "Calling You" blended with "Get Here." Just hear the power behind her voice.Then Patti warms us up to her Broadway section with the amazing Sondheim song "Being Alive" from the Muscial "Company." (She also blows the audience over on the "Sondheim Celebration CD, her FIRST LIVE performance where she sang this song!) Patti is the first woman to sing this song that was originally sung by a man! And boy does she knock our socks off! She begins nice and gentle and sends it Sky rocketing into the Air! She teases us with "Looking For Love On Broadway" only to lead directly into "Don't Cry For Me Argentina" her signature tune from EVITA. I think this particular version is the BEST recording of the song. Her voice is nice and solid, her belt is strong, and her acting is very clear. She then goes on to tell the story of Broadway flops, only to thrill us with "Meadowlark" from the short lived, ill-fated "The Baker's Wife." Patti is the ONLY woman that does Meadowlark it's justice. (For anyone who really loves this song, I highly recommend the Original Broadway Cast of "The Baker's Wife." It has a whole beginning seagment that's NOT in this recording!) She then graces us with the gutwrenching "I Dreamed A Dream." Just when three sad pieces in a row seem to dampen our spirits she electrifies us with the rousing "Anything Goes." Patti soars, and has way too much fun with her singers, The Merman. But that's what it's all about, having a good time! As the Cd comes to a close we are treated to a beautiful melody entitled "Heaven." I've never heard it before, and I don't think it's a Broadway song, but it's pretty and catchy! The last song of the CD is "Lost In The Stars" by Kurt Weill and Maxwell Anderson. Just wait till the end of the song where she gives us a taste of her (then) upcoming role of the World Premiere of ALW's "Sunset Blvd." "I can't go on with the scene....I'm too happy!..." Her ending monologue!Patti LuPone is extremely fierce. She Really gets into each song with all her being. She's just a DIVA, what can we say. I can say I'm one of the Lucky ones because recently I had the chance to see Patti Live at the Hollywood Bowl where she sang "Buenos Aires" from EVITA. She blew me away. I was stunned for, like, ten minutes. After all these years, she proves she's still THE DIVA. And this album, recorded in 1993, gives us a taste of what it would be like to hear her live. My only complaint is that "As Long As He Needs Me" isn't on this CD. It's on the double disc, but not on the Highlights CD. But still it's worth everyone penny!"

The Queen of the Stage!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Christopher L. Allcorn | Texas | 07/10/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ms. LuPone is a great talent. Her voice is powerful and as clear as water. I have been a fan of hers for a long time and will always be loyal. If you listen to this album you to will feel the same. All of her most popular songs are here, "Being Alive", "Anything Goes" I Dreamed a Dream" and "Don't Cry For me Argentina". You simple can't go wrong with this album. As I always say, It's a must have for any Patti LuPone fan!!!!!! I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"