Sylvia McNair Albums (4)
'The Land Where the Good Songs Go'
Release Date 9/4/2001
Tracks 16
Label Harbinger
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What The Critics Say
English writer P.G. Wodehouse is best remembered for his witty and satirical writings and essays and his two fictional mouthpieces, the affable Bertie Wooster and his dauntless valet, Jeeves. But he also exerted a major influence on the evolution of the American musical theater, as it was transformed from act-by-act music hall and vaudeville presentations to one built around a full-fledged plot, integrating music and story. Another pioneer in this process was Jerome Kern, who wrote tunes to more than 200 Wodehouse lyrics. Most of these songs have long since been packed away in the trunks of time. Now comes Sylvia McNair and Hal Cazalet to dust off these slumbering ditties for a cabaret-like session. In addition to unfamiliar material, the two have included tunes that have survived, including "Bill," "Anything Goes," and "You're the Top," although neither ASCAP nor other references list Wodehouse as a lyricist for the latter two Cole Porter songs. Wodehouse was a humorist at heart, and his wit is found in lyrics for "Tell Me All Your Troubles, Cutie" and "You Can't Make Love by Wireless." But he also could write earnest, serious ballads, such as "If I Ever Lost You." Classical and pop singers McNair and Cazalet do justice to this material, although most will go back into the trunks until someone later decides to pay a recorded tribute to Wodehouse. The singers are joined by pianist Steven Blier, whose light, gay accompaniments are right on target; other tracks feature guitar, banjo, ukulele, and/or cello, and Lara Cazalet sings "Bill." Although most of the material is dated, hearing it now and then, especially by consummate artists McNair and Cazalet, will bring a smile to the face and twinkle to the eye. Recommended. ~ Dave Nathan, All Music Guide
'Come Rain or Come Shine: The Harold Arlen Songbook'
Release Date 1/1/1996
Tracks 20
Label Philips
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'Sure Thing, the Jerome Kern Songbook'
Release Date 1/1/1994
Tracks 18
Label Philips
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What The Critics Say
This album by classical singer Sylvia McNair brings to mind the albums made by another "crossover" classical singer, Eileen Farrell, who issued several recordings starting in the 1960s and running into the 1990s. In her endeavor, McNair picked a composer whose music can and has accommodated many styles of singing. She is joined by another musician who moves back and forth with ease between classical and jazz, André Previn. Bass player David Finck completes the cast of characters for this session. There's no scatting or wordless singing and absolutely no risk-taking (except in the making of the album). Nevertheless, there are some very pleasant musical moments here, and on a couple of tunes McNair tries to inject some jazz feeling into her singing. "I Won't Dance" is fast-paced, and McNair trades musical statements with Finck's bass. It is also obvious that McNair works very hard to avoid sounding like an opera singer by not delivering these songs as if she were doing an aria by Richard Wagner. She strays somewhat from that objective on "You Couldn't Be Cuter," sounding a bit shrill. "All the Things You Are," however, she sings sweetly and softly -- typical of how she handles the ballads. "Can I Forget You?" is unabashedly plaintive and on "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes," where there's a tremendous temptation to let loose with full voice, McNair continues to hold back. While presenting no threat to Ella Fitzgerald's nor Mel Tormé's versions, McNair's "A Fine Romance" comes across as a bouncy piece of work. Several two-song medleys are included, with the common thread being that both songs in each pairing come from the same musical, movie, or stage. There probably couldn't have been a better choice than Previn to be McNair's musical soulmate. His jazz and classical backgrounds lend themselves to this kind of album and to McNair's singing. Typically, Previn plays no-nonsense accompaniment for McNair, then takes a chorus or two in a jazz mode. There's no pretense here. McNair doesn't try to do jazz. Rather, she and her friends perform almost 70 minutes of very pleasant, straightforward music of one of the major contributors to the Great American Songbook ~ Dave Nathan, All Music Guide
