
The Killer Soprano
Rosemary Ashe juxtaposes operetta standards by Weill, Coward and Schwartz with more modern material such as PMT Blues, Crossword Puzzle and Pour Me A Man. Her style has a hint of the operatic parody, but she diffuses the mood of send-up with the occasional sad song, done simply. The title song by Gerard Alessandrini (Forbidden Broadway creaotor), includes the line: "Everyone who's heard her/Claims it's like mass murder". There is a vocal realisation of Chopin's Minute Waltz which she manages in 1 minute 48 seconds. Jonathan Cohen provides witty orchestrations and accompaniments.
Ashe knows how to put across a number with sassiness, sizzle and spunk. By the time this CD spins to a close, one is convince there isn't anything the versatile Ashe can sing.