Search - Jane Krakowski :: The Laziest Gal In town

Cabaret Debut...no beginner's luck, just talent.

The Warped Vinyl Junkie | Chattanooga TN USA | 07/17/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"All right, I'll start by admitting I've had it bad for Jane Krakowski (see, Jane, some folks CAN spell your last name) ever since I first saw her on the Ally McBeal TV show more than a decade ago...and when she opened her mouth to sing, my bottom jaw fell to the floor...all the looks, and a set of pipes to match! Her recordings (Ally McBeal soundtracks, cast albums) have all been quite listenable, and I've been hoping for a full album that would showcase her talents in a way that would bring her even more fame and fortune.



This, however, is not that album. Please don't misunderstand me--it's a fine piece of work, and it gives the lovely lady the chance to shine as few performers can. Her amazing talent, her sense of humor, her fabulous voice, and her rapport with her audience are, to a greater or lesser degree, all on display here, and there is very, very little that could make this album better as a recording of a cabaret performance. On that level alone, it is the equivalent--nay, the equal--of "Noel Coward in Las Vegas," Blossom Dearie's "Blossom Time at Ronnie Scott's," or any of the fine Mabel Mercer or Alberta Hunter videos of a couple of decades back. Bravo, Jane...you've got it and you're putting it out there for all to hear.



But this album, peppered with plenty of 2010 jokes, a rap, references to even more pop culture than I can decipher, and double-entendre as well, is lacking in much that would prove that the amazing Jane is much more than just a Martha Wright or a Katie Lee for the current century...and even their albums (along with the aforementioned cabaret recordings) had their moments of poignancy and depth. Other than "I'm Old Fashioned" (which turns out to be only a setup for yet another moment of levity) and her finale version of "Let's Face the Music and Dance," there is not much here that wouldn't sound right at home on a Dr. Demento broadcast. Yes, Jane Krakowski is a fine comic actress and singer, but she's also capable of treating more serious ballads and show tunes with the class they deserve--the evidence of that, though, is just a bit too scanty here.



The album is well-worth the price and the time to listen to, multiple times over. But don't get your hopes too high: it's not the album that she is capable of, nor (I predict) the one that will let the world know just how talented and listenable she really is in ALL genres. I do, however, recommend it very highly to fans of cabaret, current culture (even songs from early last century sound fresh when she inhabits them), and comedy. And the new lyric for "Zip," along with the rap in "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" certainly made me laugh out loud more than once.



One final gripe, though...someone had the bright idea of getting Will Friedwald, our generation's most ostrich-headed pop-culture writer, to do the liner notes. My suggestion? Glue the inner four pages of the booklet together and just enjoy the music. Bravo, Ms. Krakowski. Now let's show 'em everything ELSE you've got. I can't wait!"

Cabaret is back!

D. Beach | Orlando, FL USA | 07/14/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a delight! A great cabaret experience by an immensely talented performer. Warm, witty, relevant and great fun."

She knows how to please a crowd!

Steve Wehmhoff | East Northport NY United States | 07/19/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have never been a fan of cabaret as a genre. The constant rubato as opposed to keeping time just put me off. Not everything is a torch song. This record is exactly the opposite of that! It is refreshing, fun and well done. While working the crowd with bits of pop culture, unique interpretations (She raps convincingly ion `Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend') and clever patter she puts forward a strong and capable vocal performance. For crying out loud the girl did win a Tony award and all sorts of other awards for her singing in Broadway musicals.



The repertoire are all standards, the lyrics are all clear and understandable. Her pitch is remarkable. Her phrasing is well thought out. Producer Hugh Fordin has one a few Grammy awards and has delivered an excellent snap shot of this series of dates.



If you are a fan of standards, Broadway, Cabaret or Miss Krakowski I recommend this record to you.

"