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Lorna Luft - Songs My
Mother Taught Me (First Night)
Released: October 17, 2007 (US)
Released: October 22, 2007 (UK)
Let's get some things out of the way right off - Ms. Luft has a killer
voice. This woman's voice was built for a big stage, with lots of brass
in the backing band.
And that's what we've got here, with a big "but."
This would appear to be a companion recording that goes along with a
one-woman show - that stretches into February and beyond. And it's a
show I'd love to see. Produced by Mitzie and Ken Welch - who have a
shelf full of Emmys for everything from the "Carol Burnett Show" to
Barry Manilow's TV specials, the show must be very, very good stuff.
At one point, Ms. Luft says she's been afraid to sing the songs her
mother made famous. "Let's face it," she says. "A legend is a tough act
to follow."
And then she proceeds to not only channel her mother - but, for my
money, she ups the ante.
So. I'll say that on the disc alone, without seeing the show, the
reflective pieces, especially the nearly 20-minute "Born In A Trunk
Medley" simply detract. I'll hate myself in the morning, but right now,
all I can think of is that they sound a little too much like public
therapy...living in the shadow of a legendary mother, and semi-legendary
(for mostly the wrong reasons) half-sister.
Where does that leave us, then?
It leaves us with seven outstanding tracks that don't mention...she who
shall not be mentioned, or the unmentionable half-sister.
(If you didn't know already - go look it up. You'll feel silly.)
And seven tracks that showcase Ms. Luft's fine talent, and flair for
performing on a great big stage.
Yeah, you need to own this one. "The Man Who Got Away" is worth
the price of admission alone.
Very highly recommended.
  Three
and one-half microphones (out of four)
- Doug Boynton
(11/07/07) |
