More about the performers than Harold Arlen - I listened to the first four tracks of this CD before I discarded it. They were self-indulgent performances much involved the performers emotions. Turning a love song into a tortured lament may be excellent for self expression but it has very little to do with the music. I suggest the performers listen to it and leave the rest of us alone.If you don t know Harold Arlen s music and just listened to this CD, you might conclude that he has nothing to offer. In fact, he is one of the most wonderful of songwriters. I would suggest a wonderful collection called Harold Arlen Centenial Celebration 100.
marvelous renditions for new generation! - i cant fathom why people hate this cd.i personally think it is a really great tribute to the works of mr.harold arlen.it s really fresh,yes,i admit when u first press play,you wont get the lazy,lushful drawl of rufus s it s only a paper moon and you must wonder where and why debbie harry sings stormy weather in such a way that seems so outta place.but listen and keep on listening,you ll find all these performers are really one of a kind.they are unique in giving these tunes a zestful spritz as if it were really written exclusively for em singers in this cd.best of all they arent copycats like michael bubble,trying oh-so-hard to be like the originals.this is a tribute,a really honest tribute and a good intro to the new generation!stormy with marvellous good drenching of rain,this piece of record!
I don t understand why all these people hated it. I loved it - Caught the show on PBS. I watched it only because Sandra Bernhard and Debbie Harry were in it. I was blown away by Rufus Wainright s Paper Moon. It was like he was singing it to me and me personally and he meant every word. Very sexy, very hot. And I had never heard Wainright before, so I m not just a fan. Then Marc Anthony Thomas sang I ve Gotta Right To Sing The Blues. Threw his head back, closed his eyes, and belted it out like he was the only person in the world and he just loved the song and wanted to sing it for himself and himself alone. Beautiful. Nothing in the rest of the show stood out as bad. Yes, some performances were worse than others. But these two astounding performances have haunted me for months. Now I ve decided I just have to have the CD. I really want this on DVD, so I can watch those two again.
Unbelievably bad - I caught the documentary on Trio last night from which this CD was apparently taken. I love Arlen s music, and I was really looking forward to hearing about his life. Well, my first inkling that something was wrong was when the singer (Rufus Wainwright, I found out later) comes out and starts to mangle Paper Moon. My GOD, it was bad. I winced every time he opened his mouth. So I figured he was just an anomaly, and continued to watch. But the next singer was equally as bad, and I kept thinking, there are TONS of great cabaret singers and Broadway singers out there, why weren t they used? When the third singer I heard sounded just as bad, I turned off the show in disgust. I can just imagine what the rest of the CD sounds like. Stay away!
Overall the interpretations are bad - Risks were taken, but almost none of them work. Not recommended