CD REVIEW: Liz Callaway/Passage of Time

There is a very good reason that Liz Callaway was chosen to "stand-in" for Barbra Streisand on her most recent tour. Their voices, distinct as they are, have that uncanny ability to send chills down your spine and your spirits soaring into the stars. This new collection of songs from Ms. Callway, only her fourth solo outing, is a joy from start to finish, taking listeners on a lovely journey of song. A clever mixture of pop standards and well-known (and a few lesser-known) theatre songs, the choices are impeccable.

Opening with the inspirational “Nothing to Lose” by Flaherty and Ahrens, we are transported into the first of four intelligent song pairings that shed new light on some familiar tunes (“Make Someone Happy”/”Something Wonderful”). “I’m Not That Girl” (from Wicked) is joined with “Just Another Face” (by John Bucchio and Lindy Robbins), “Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head” trysts with “Singing In The Rain” and “The Perfect Year” (from Sunset Boulevard) is the perfect companion to “Memory” (from Cats), that Ms. Callaway made entirely her own for several years on the Great White Way, as a replacement in the role of Grizabella. Also fun and right-on is the infectious “Better” (from the Broadway musical, The Madwoman of Central Park West). Another gem is a gorgeous reading of the classic Lennon/McCartney song “Eleanor Rigby” (with just a hint of “Walk on By” if I’m not mistaken, and makes perfect sense) with a stunning arrangement by Ms. Callaway’s long-time musical partner Alex Rybek, who music directs, plays piano, and arranged (with Liz) and orchestrated most of the tracks. They are joined in deed (arrangement) and song, by the unmistakable, smokey voice of sister Ann Hampton Callaway in an absolutely thrilling and haunting take on Carly Simon’s “That’s the Way I’ve Always Heard It Should Be,” which is surely one of the highlites of the album. We are also treated to beautiful renderings of Stephen Sondheim’s “Children Will Listen” (Into The Woods) and “Being Alive” (Company) as well as the lovely “A Child Is Born” (written by Dave Grusin with Alan and Marilyn Bergman for the misunderstood Streisand film Up The Sandbox from 1972), set against a simple and moving string arrangement.

While several tracks are in many ways associated with Ms. Streisand, Liz takes them firmly in her grasp and rises to astonishing new heights. Her voice is crystal-clear throughout, capable of a soothing softness when called for and yet filling the rafters with her sensational belt when that is the recipe. Mr. Rybeck’s arrangements are sensational (with contributions by Stephen Flaherty, Michael Starobin, and Larry Moore). A particular joy is getting to hear Liz sing “Patterns” (arrang: David Shire), which was  originally sung on Broadway by a character other than the one Ms. Callway portrayed in the wonderful Maltby/Shire musical Baby.

Note: I have learned, particuarly with this CD, it is preferable to listen to an album of songs in the order the artist (carefully) intended and not by hitting shuffle on your MP3 player. It does make a difference!