You're The Top (The Love Songs Of Cole Porter) - Bobby Short

Advantages: Some of the best songs ever written!
Disadvantages: Very bland

...John Barrowman has recently leapt into the spotlight due to a major role in the first series of the BBC's 'Doctor Who' relaunch, but has been known as a star of musicals for quite some time, and has also made various appearances in films and sitcoms. This album was presumably inspired by his recent involvement in two Cole Porter projects - the National Theatre's revival of Anything Goes and the Porter biopic De-Lovely, where he dueted with Kevin Kline on the song 'Night and Day'. Barrowman is one of those implausibly talented people - he's ludicrously handsome, he has a great singing voice, and he's an accomplished singer and dancer. The sort of man that inspires much jealousy, in short. His singing style is open and approachable, no nasal whining here. He has a wide range (he doesn't strain on any of the high notes) and you can make... Read review

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Advantages: Lots of lovely versions of some Porter Classics
Disadvantages: A couple of bad notes, and if you don't like Porter, you won't want this album

..., Cast & Chorus - Blow, Gabriel, Blow Kevin Kline & Ashley Judd - In the Still of the Night Cole Porter - You're the Top See what I mean by a mixed bag? I may be showing my ignorance, but there are some names here that I never heard of - such as Lemar and Vivian Green - but both of these renditions were smashingly done, with spot-on vocals that's made me look these singers up to see if they've got any CDs of their own out there that I might want to purchase. (They both do, and by the way Lemar's full name is Lemar Campbell.) Vivian Green's "Love for Sale" is so terribly compelling to listen to, due to the raw emotions she puts into this song, that I often replay that track several times, just for the pure joy of it. As for Lemar, his "What is this Thing Called Love" is also among the best tracks of this album, and another one to put... Read review

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Advantages: 104 quality songs, informative and well written booklet
Disadvantages: None unless you don't like 40's-style jazz

...Is You 11. Too Marvelous For Words 12. Cole Capers 13. Blues In My Shower 14. Ke Mo Ki Mo (The Magic Song) 15. Save The Bones For Henry Jones ('Cause Henry Don't Eat Meat) 16. Harmony 17. Nature Boy 18. Lament In Chords 19. Those Things Money Can't Buy 20. Love Nest 21. Dream A Little Dream Of Me 22. Then I'll Be Tired Of You 23. Little Girl 24. No Moon At All 25. I Feel So Smoochie 26. You've Changed 27. Confess Disc 4 1. Flo And Joe 2. Blue And Sentimental 3. Lost April 4. Lillette 5. Lulubelle 6. Portrait Of Jennie 7. Laugh! Cool Clown 8. Bop-Kick 9. For All We Know 10. Lush Life 11. Lillian 12. 'Tis Autumn 13. Yes Sir, That's My Baby 14. Etymology (The Language Of Love) 15. My Mother Told Me 16. Exactly Like You 17. Top Hat Bop 18. Calypso Blues 19. My Baby Just... Read review

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