Search - Banu Gibson :: Let's Face the Music and Dance

They can't take this away from me...!

Penumbra | Atlanta, GA USA | 09/30/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Let's Face the Music and Dance" is a collection of eighteen songs from the 1930's films of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. This is some of the best, and best loved, American popular music of the 20th century, written by the likes of Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, Jerome Kern, Gus Khan, and others.



Banu Gibson obviously has a lot of respect and affection for the material here. She has a terrific, clear voice; she's a joy to hear. Whereas Ginger did her best with the material and Fred had the phrasing down to an art, they just weren't singers.



It's thrilling to hear these grand old songs performed so beautifully, with new arrangements that remain faithful to the intentions of the composers. Too many modern performers insist on over interpreting these songs until the music is unrecognizable. I'll take my Gershwin straight up, thanks!



The CD liner notes mention that this project was begun in 1995 and not completed until 2006. Overcoming the various delays and challenges became a labor of love. The love shows.



For those who are already fans of 30's music in general, or Fred and Ginger in particular, this is a jewel. For anyone unfamiliar with the material, this is a marvelous introduction. Highly recommended!







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I fell in love

Kimberley Wilson | VA USA | 05/26/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Banu Gibson has a beautiful, big voice and marvelous diction: Three things that are absolutely nescasary if you want to sing the songs of the 20s, 30s and 40s.



I was looking for something upbeat and happy to listen to at work and this album does the trick. I was really surprised at how clever and sophisticated some of these songs are developed a new appreciation for Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers-- they sang these songs and did some poweful dancing at the same time. That was quite a feat.



I was so impressed with this album and Banu Gibson that I will be buying more."

When She Faces the Music and Dances, Things Happen

Stephanie DePue | Carolina Beach, NC USA | 11/17/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Let's Face the Music and Dance," by Banu Gibson, one of New Orleans's hottest exports, gives us, as the title suggests, Banu's take on the movie music of the classic dancing/singing combo of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, as immortalized in those nine 1930's RKO musicals. These performers had some of the best contemporary composer/lyricists in the land working for them, and the movies still stand as pinnacles of American song and dance. Furthermore, so do the songs, independently.



Banu has specialized in the repertory of the Great American Songbook of the 1920's,'30's, and `40's, where you can surely find these songs, and she delivers them fresh, with brio, swing, and affection. Songs include "Top Hat, White Tie and Tails,""They Can't Take That Away From Me," "Isn't This a Lovely Day," "A Fine Romance," and, of course, the title song, one of George Gershwin's greatest, most emotional, and last, "Let's Face the Music and Dance." The album, as produced by David Cuthbert, is first-class all the way. Banu's got more than 20 fine backing musicians here, including David Boeddinghaus, John Sheridan and Dick Hyman on piano; David Sager, Bob Havens and Mark Mullins on trombone; and Hank Mackie and Howard Alden on guitar.



I've been lucky enough to catch Banu's act in person down here in Wilmington, N.C.: the joy she takes in working a song is obvious, as is her rhythm, powerful voice, and presence. When she faces the music and dances, things happen.

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