.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
A**R
Barbara Cook--One of the Best!!!
One of the most magical ladies of all time was Barbara Cook! What a voice!! What a talent!! When she stepped in front of an audience she always gave her all--which was fantastic!! And at the Met she was in her element!!Add to her magic there is Audra McDonald, another of the finest, and Josh Groban!!Listening to Miss Cook is like being in a heavenly place for me!! She is always performing at the top of her ability!! She never gives less than the very best!! She had a keen sense of humor, a fabulous sense of timing, a great ear for the best songs! She made pure magic every time she opened her voice and sang!!She was, in my opinion, at the top of the ladder for great performers!! She always gave her audiences the very best !!And this recording once more gives the listener a fabulous journey into musical magnificence!!
F**3
Barbara is even more incredible than ever!
I have seen Miss Cook live on 3 occasions and she just keeps getting better! Her voice is crystal clear in this recording. Her interpretation of "This Nearly Was Mine" is sheer perfection. She is engaging as always, bringing the audience right in with her. Audra McDonald is great, especially duetting with Barbara, and Josh Groban is incomparable. His solo and the duet with Barbara are fantastic. Barbara is extremely expressive throughout the recording: serious, fun, contemplative. Yes, we've heard many of these before, but they continue to be fresh and enjoyable. And this time Barbara admits it is she playing the kazoo (incorrectly cued as part of the next number). The packaging has great pictures, but can be a bit vague. Can we assume Jay Berliner was playing the banjo? A picture of Marcus Rojas with Barbara (a great honor for just the one tuba duet with Barbara), but no picture of music director Eric Stern? And no labeling of composers or shows in the liner notes? As a plus, we do get Barbara's personal comments. But this sort of thing makes me long for an old vinyl album, where there was tons of room for pictures and notes and credits. This recording is a must-have for your Barbara Cook collection, and really, for any collection of excellent vocalists. Barbara is the only non-classical singer ever presented at the Met, and the first soloist in 20 years. I wish this concert could have been done with orchestra, but the small group of sensitive musicians makes the recording very intimate.
L**S
Barbara Cook was a brillitant singer
She is the only non-opera singer ever asked to do a concert at The Metropolitan Opera House in NYC. And, she was 79 years old when she did this concert. Wonderful singer!
W**E
Here again
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.
M**C
still amazing
On BC's previous CD (Tribute) I thought I detected a faint diminution of her unbelievable voice. This one proves that she has not lost a step. At her age (heck, at any age), her voice and her facility with a lyric is unmatched. My wife, a trained singer, agrees, and has learned much from BC about selling a story with the lyric.
M**S
Barbara Cook at The Met
BUY IT! She is a classic and so is this CD. Eric Stern works with Barbara beautifully and brings out the best in this wonderful CD!This will NOT disappoint any fan!
G**T
Amazing At Any Age
I was fortunate to be on the second row for this event and this recording is a wonderful recording of this amazing event. For anyone who is a fan of Barbara Cook, musical theater and/or vocal interpretation of popular music, the album is a must. You quickly forget that she is close to 80 years old. Sit back, relax and enjoy!
B**E
Barbara at her best
I love her...and this is a good album to showcase her talent.....
