Tracks: 1. Some Kind of Music 2. Witchcraft 3. The Colors of My Life (w/ Tony Bennett) 4. Nothing To Do But Dance 5. I Love My Wife/It Amazes Me 6. September's Coming 7. The Best Is Yet to Come 8. I Really Love You 9. Atlantic City 10. Bad Is for Other People 11. I'm Gonna Laugh You Right Out of My Life 12. Real Live Girl/Sweet Talk/Meat & Potatoes (Medley) 13. Somebody 14. It Started With a Dream
Posted 2007-08-05 20:52:47: Amazon.com Editoral Review: Unlike what happens in the pop field, where singer-songwriters are far from uncommon, few musical-theater writers and composers ever step to the mike. There are exceptions, of course: Noel Coward, Harold Arlen, and now Cy Coleman. Coleman is responsible for some of Broadway's swingiest, punchiest, most energetic scores (Sweet Charity may well be his masterpiece). But don't expect "Big Spender" here. Coleman set out to explore the more obscure corners of his catalogue, so this means the likes of "Somebody," which was supposed to be recorded by Pearl Bailey but wasn't, and "Meat and Potatoes," a collaboration with lyricist Dorothy Fields for a show that never happened. Backed by a discreet orchestra and proving himself a nimble pianist, Coleman also displays an assured set of pipes; he certainly doesn't sound out of place next to guest Tony Bennett, who performs the positively Michel Legrand-esque "The Colors of My Life" (from Barnum). Lillias White, who brought the house down in Coleman's The Life, duets with the composer on the title track. Oddly enough considering the two principals, the song's a bit too blandly uplifting, but it shouldn't prevent you from enjoying this otherwise excellent collection of adult pop. --Elisabeth Vincentelli
