Search - Kerry Butler :: Faith, Trust and Pixie Dust

Sweet, Warm and Wonderful

John Popa | Canton, OH United States | 05/16/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Kerry Butler's debut CD works as both a tribute to the great spirit of Disney music and also a great showcase of one of theater's warmest and most engaging performers. Foregoing large orchestrations in favor of more intimate and acoustic instrumentation really brings out the sentiment and humanity of these songs, some of them familiar, others obscure nuggets from Disney's vast catalogue of material, but all of them revealed in a new and touching light. Many of the songs have a real sense of lullaby to them, something you might whisper into a child or loved one's ear. Whether or not we could whisper in a voice as sweet as Butler's is of course another question. When in doubt, let Kerry do the singing and storytelling. Believe me, no child or mother could wish for a sweeter voice in their ear :)"

A True Disney Princess

Luke Anthony | San Francisco, CA | 06/07/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I'm going to admit it. While I thought her "Somewhere That's Green" was near perfection, I did not know what the big deal was about Kerry Butler. After listening to this album though, I realized it's only because I've never listened to any of her musicals other than "Little Shop of Horrors." However, somewhere during the bridge in "Disneyland," I became giddy, excited and tearful. I was so affected by her interpretation that the song has revived my heart in musical theatre all over again... and it's been a long time since a song did that to me (I think the last time that happened was in Sondheim's brilliant "Passion"). That said, I'm going to go out on a limb and say this is the best solo CD from a broadway chanteuse this year. It far surpasses Kelli O'hara's debut CD, which does almost nothing for her voice.



I have a strong connection with Disney. It's the kind of music that makes me smile. If I'm sad, I turn on Disney and suddenly I'm ready to jump up and down like I'm a 5-year-old on a sugar-high. Starting off with "This Only Happens in the Movies," Kerry premiers a beautiful Alan Menken ballad that actually doesn't feel like Alan Menken. It is so beautiful that it actually transcends the Menken songbook and puts him in a classic musical realm. I almost can't believe this is Menken, except for a few moments. This is nothing to say of her vocals. They are stirring. The final strains of the song are the lyrics "but if this is my chance, a prelude to a new romance, let's hope that it has a happy end." The soaring melody coupled with the ethereal orchestrations by Michael Starobin lift the spirit into a realm of beautiful longing and (as the album title says) faith in love. "Call Me A Princess" is a delightful song that was cut from "Aladdin" and it's obvious why since it doesn't paint a relatable heroine in Jasmine, but the song on it's own is a treasure that will warrant repeated listenings.



Kerry reinvents the disney canon with the songs "When You Wish Upon A Star" and "Colors of the Wind," but I almost feel they didn't need reinvention. While they work in a sort of old-school Disney sense, it is only Kerry's commitment to the songs that make them work. This is also true with "The Bare Necessities" and "When She Loved Me" which could have been a highlight on the CD, but seemed rushed and lacking in sentiment. "When She Loved Me" is the point in "Toy Story 2" when the heart of the story is unleashed, and I feel that Kerry's Musical Director should have let her take more time. Other songs she reinvents are "It's a Small World," "God Help The Outcasts," "The Second Star to the Right," and "Baby Mine." These are beautifully done. "God Help The Outcasts" is such an improvement on the original with Kerry giving real life to the song with her controlled belt, while "Baby Mine" is even more intimate than ever with Kerry singing alongside only a piano. I have to give big kudos to the piano in "Baby Mine." The transcription is gorgeous. There a moments of dissonance that work to give the song real heart when the dissonance subsides and resolves. Pay close attention to the piano, because it really is the reason for this retread.



Disneyland. The happiest place on Earth. Right now, it's the happiest place in song too. The longing and the yearning in Kerry's voice is what makes this song ring true. She really wants to believe in the world of magic, even if she knows there are strings being pulled behind it. We all have these things in our lives that we want to believe in and even if there is evidence to the contrary, we don't let that ruin the idea that we have. It's what makes life worth living; faith in the dreams that we have. The bridge, "Oh I know you're gonna say, the trees are paper mache, it's done with mirrors the magic there. Each little birds full of springs, you push a button it sings, recorded music fills the air. They've got the mountains refaced, it's only plywood and paste, go on say it. I'll turn around and tell you, I don't care! I will live in Disneyland." It will bring you to tears. Marvin Hamlisch got it right with this song. This is the kind of faith and trust the world needs, and Kerry gives us reason to believe it."

Kerry Butler at her best

P. K. Wells | Manhattan | 05/17/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As a huge Kerry Butler fan, I eagerly awaited her debut solo album despite the fact that I am not the biggest Disney fan around. Well even if you don't love disney, this is a must have album. The stripped down orchestrations work beautifully and as usual her voice is perfection. The CD offers a lot of hope and just makes you feel better after listening to it.



You can't ask more from this CD, if you are a fan of Kerry's, a fan of Disney or just looking for a CD that can put a smile on your face, this is the CD for you!"