Toni DiBuono, catchy songs make a fun 40 minutes
Janean | BroadwayMatinee.com | 12/01/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I like Toni DiBuono's performances on the Forbidden Broadway albums, so this album piqued my interest. Her voice certainly delivers, that great brassy belting with a sweet touch up top. The best songs in my opinion: Don't Make Me Go Back to That Man, I Guess I'll Have to Go Back to My Men, and I'm the Queen and You're Not.
Fred Barton, the composer/lyricist/arranger, provides the foil for Toni, and I enjoy his uptempo songs (sorry, he sounds strained and off-balance in the ballads).
What really keeps the album from five stars is some of the synthesizer choices. I know, it's affordable. And to Barton's credit, the synthesizer instrument voicings sound excellent in some places, with some sophisticated layers in the orchestrations. But in some spots.... I'd rather have a real piano (or a good synthesized piano) than the fake brass.
Those weaknesses aside, it's a surprisingly good album. I hope I get to see this "new musical entertainment" someday."
Excellent CD!
Jill M. Sheehan | Seattle, USA | 07/04/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you like musicals that are offbeat, yet with very catchy tunes, I highly recommend this CD. It tells a very interesting story involving a has-been songwriter (performed by Fred Barton) and a terrified, but eager-to-please Housewife (performed by Toni DiBuono), who help bring out the true talents in each other.
Among the highlights of this CD are "Party Girl" and "I'm the Queen and You're Not", both performed by Toni DiBuono. I'd say more but would hate to ruin the fun for others.
That said, anyone who remembers Toni DiBuono from her days in the Off-Broadway hit Forbidden Broadway or as Pat Tuesday on PBS' Mathnet will enjoy her amazing "Broadway Belter" singing style, and Fred Barton (also known for his work in Forbidden Broadway and the quirky Miss Gulch Returns) is equally as talented at the keyboard. I've been following Toni's career for quite awhile and was very excited to see this CD finally come out - I've always felt she's been overlooked by Broadway far too much (despite the fact she's had small roles on B'way, I think she's capable of much more).
All in all, if you like good old-fashioned, original musicals, you will enjoy this CD."
Track Listings (15) - Disc #1