WOW is all I can say! Elaine Stritch sounds like she is having fun singing these songs. Sadly this is her only recorded album...but what a voice before time, alcohol and cigarettes took their toll. She is extremely versatile--who knew Mama could scat with the best of them???? ("And The Angels Sing.") From her spot on impersonation of Carmen Miranda ("Are You Having Any Fun?"), her ballad rendition ("That's The Beginning Of The End"), the satire of "You Took Advantage Of Me", the attitude of "If"---I think you will enjoy this reording.
August 27, 2008Contrary to what the "Okay, She Sings" reviewer says, this is PRICELESS early Stritch. And the arrangements are ANYTHING BUT boring. They were done by the beloved singer/actress, Portia Nelson -- and this is a collaboration NOT TO BE MISSED. If you love Stritch, this is an important and delightful part of the story.
December 9, 2007now she needs an arranger. I love Elaine Stritch but these songs for the most part sound the same. Elaine is often her own worst enemy and ends up just showing off (hey, I saw her years ago in Private Lives. That was ego run riot even the director, Charles Nelson Riley, walked out that night). Buy it if you must but there is better, older, wiser Stritch out there.
January 15, 2006 |  | Getting to be a habit with me... |  |
It's really interesting, listening to this recording, to hear Elaine Stritch's distinctive voice before all those cigarettes and vodka stingers added all the rasp. It's quite easy to see why she was the Merm's understudy for Call Me Madam, though I actually find her *less* abrasive than EM generally is. The songs are hilarious camp ("If" comes to mind... this is also where you hear the speaking voice and think, "My God, this really is Stritch!"), and if you are a musical stickler, be sure to listen to the humor to really understand the full value of them... the scatting on "And the Angels Sing" seems painful at first, but is great when recognized as just another facet of Elaine's comedic genius. Ms. Stritch sings it all with a wink. On the other end, "You Took Advantage of Me" is a great showcase for the vulnerability peeking out from underneath Elaine's hard-as-nails exterior. A must-have piece of Lainey's puzzle!
January 10, 2005Elaine Stritch has never been wasted in a musical number. Invariably, she adds intellegence, verve and panache, making the
bland, good (The object of my Affection), the good, great (That's my Boy), and the Great, Breathtaking (Are you having any Fun & You took Advantage of Me).
Alternately funny, sexy, wry and heartbroken, Stritch uses her superb instrument to its' fullest potential. This album reveals more than a great singer and actress at the top of her form, with every listening, you will find new dimensions.
During her long career, Elaine Stritch has impressed the likes of Robert Whitehead, Noel Coward and Stephen Sondheim with her tremendous talents. Buy this album to see what all the fuss is about!
August 20, 2002More reviews at Amazon.com ...
(8 reviews)