The Best Is Yet To Come - The Songs Of Cy Coleman

TheBest Is Yet To Come - The Songs Of Cy Coleman

2009,New West Records

Cy Coleman, née Seymour Kaufmanfound success in the classical and jazz worlds before finding his true calling- Broadway. He didn't let being late to the game stop him from having a stellarcareer, however, garnering 5 Tony Awards, 3 Emmy Awards and 2 Grammys beforehis untimely death in 2004. Coleman gave birth to the scores and songs of suchshows as Sweet Charity, City Of Angels, The Life, The Will Rogers Follies,and Barnum. In the process, Coleman, created songs and shows that continuesto have an impact on Broadway even today. It's not surprising, then, thatColeman would be honored with a compilation such as The Best Is Yet To Come- The Songs Of Cy Coleman.

The voices here might surprise you.Artists as diverse as Patty Griffin, Madeleine Peyroux, Sam Phillips, FionaApple, Nikka Costa and Jill Sobule offer up their talents in a stunning,stealthy collection that will take you by surprise. Griffin surprises with awonderful sultry and soulful take on "The Best Is Yet To Come", whileFiona Apple lights up the night with "Why Try To Change Me Now" and"I Walk A Little Faster", showing off an impressive upper range inthe latter that you might not suspect from her more alt-pop oriented originals.Madeleine Peyroux and Sam Phillips turn in solid outings on "I Live MyLife" and "You Fascinate Me So", respectively, and Nikka Costais a pleasant surprise on "The Rules Of The Road".

The true gems here, however, are theones you don't see coming. Julianna Raye brings an amazingly earthy and tonallybuoyant voice to "I'm Gonna Laugh You Right Out Of My Life", whileSarabeth Tucek hits all the right notes on "Where Am I Going?” Even JillSobule shows a surprising versatility on "I've Got Your Number". Thehighlight of the disc, however, is the closing performance of "(I'm) InLove Again" by Missy Higgins.

Cy Coleman left an indelible mark onAmerican Musical Theater. The songs presented on The Best Is Yet To Come -The Songs Of Cy Coleman, are the proof in the pudding. This is perhaps oneof the most inspired composer collections to emanate from Broadway in sometime.

Rating: 4.5 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about Cy Coleman at Notable Music.

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Caitlin Canty - Neon Streets

Caitlin Canty - Neon Streets
2010, Caitlin Canty

Vermont native and New York City resident Caitlin Canty spent a number of years singing backup and working the production booth before stepping to center stage. The resounding cry from crowds on New York's Indie scene has been "What took you so long?” Canty charms with a soothing delivery and intimately soulful voice, earning comparisons to Patty Griffin, Jack Johnson and Norah Jones. Canty recently released a collaborative EP, Neon Streets, with instrumental backing from string-rockers Darlingside. The album was co-produced by Darlingside and Canty, and is the first of four collaborative EPs in the works for Canty.

Neon Streets opens with "Halo", a declaration of independence of sorts based in cynicism about faith and a natural distrust of things than cannot be seen. Canty has crafted a gorgeous melody here and an almost anti-McLachlan arrangement steeped firmly in acoustic instruments that somehow reaches for the same ethereal sound. "Neon Streets" is a remarkably pragmatic tune about fears and common sense; failing to acknowledge threats until they threaten. You might call it an anthem for quiet bravado. Canty has a low-key, cool delivery that's as convincing as the lyrics here and a pleasant voice that wants to straddle the gap between an alto's depth and a soprano's grace.

Canty explores the existential angst born of the transition between youth and adulthood in "Shore", where opportunities abound and it’s never clear which doors are already closed. The song is reflective of a generational ambivalence born of broken dreams and fear of the future. "Thin Moon" uses the weak light of a waning moon as a parallel of a relationship guttering in the currents of two lives moving apart. Canty's depiction here is stark and haunting, laden with emotion and yet apart from it all at once. "Two Hands" is an ode to independence; to not needing someone else in your life to be fulfilled. It's a brilliant tune that's self affirming and highly melodic. Neon Streets closes with "Carried Away", hitting the essence of longing and beauty in a stark arrangement that's reminiscent of early Ani DiFranco.

Caitlin Canty impresses with Neon Streets. Her low-key approach belies an intensity that emanates from Canty like heat from a furnace. Canty's focus is piercing at times, a quality that should come through even more clearly in the live environment. Her ability to project that feel even in pre-recorded media is unusual. There's little doubt that Caitlin Canty has a future in music; it's more a question of getting the right opportunity. That being said, Canty isn't going to blow anyone away musically. It's simply not her style, but her quiet musical resolve will certainly turn some heads.

Rating: 3 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about Caitlin Canty at http://www.caitlincanty.com/ or www.myspace.com/caitlincantymusic.  Neon Streets is available from Amazon.com as a CD or Download.  The album is also available from iTunes.

Annie Fitzgerald - In Good Time

Annie Fitzgerald - In Good Time
2010, Pin Curl Productions

Minnesota native and Brooklynite Annie Fitzgerald captivates audiences with her own brand of homespun Americana. A regular on the New York City Indie scene, Fitzgerald is known in several major US cities as an entrancing performer with a voice that draws you, wraps its arms around you and just won't let go. With nods to Sarah McLachlan, Patty Griffin and even Ray LaMontagne, Fitzgerald tackles the little moments in life, drawing the significance of each out into the light in songs that flow like water. It won't take long until you are immersed in her first full length album, In Good Time.

Annie Fitzgerald has one of those voices that are hard to classify. Full of beautiful textures and contours, Fitzgerald can run a warm alto to an inspired soprano, transitioning from one to the other with great ease. Fitzgerald's voice seems to have multiple layers, ala Sarah McLachlan, but her sound is very much her own. When first greeted with that voice on In Good Time's opening track, "Hero", you'll be surprised by the simple, heartfelt delivery and utter beauty of her voice. "Hero" is a heart-on-your-sleeve ballad with a future on mix-tapes and as a wedding song. "Another Sad Love Song" is an amazing bit of melancholy songwriting in a delicious Americana arrangement; a bit of pure poetry. Fitzgerald wishes a young friend well on "Little Girl", a sweet song of inspiration and hope for one whose dreams, hopes and aspirations are all as yet unfound. It's Fitzgerald's easy, unaffected delivery that makes this song fly.

"Watch The World Go By" is an invitation to enjoy a perfect moment in love; those times when time stops and you are lost between the streams with that perfect person. Here it is a dream; a wish for love and the eternal what if. The songwriting style here will seem very familiar to fans of Sarah McLachlan, both for its textures and flow but also for the earnest lyrics and delivery. "Brother" finds Fitzgerald reminiscing about childhood in a song that's full of the melancholy of days lost but also the joy of memory. Fitzgerald's vocal performance here is stunning; stark, lonely and full of love. "How Long" has one of those choruses that seem familiar to you the first time you hear it and stick with you long after the song is done. It's a highly memorable tune you're likely to have on repeat.

"Old Souvenirs" touches on the significance of memories of loved ones who have passed on, and the power of objects, even names passed on, to fill our hearts. Fitzgerald finds that near-perfect songwriting moment here where a song is both highly personal and universal, opening a window between songwriter and listener that is tangible and real. Fitzgerald issues a personal and beautiful call to move forward with a relationship that works on "Let's Not Wait Too Long"; playing on a sense of love and urgency driven by the feeling that this time it's right. Fitzgerald's emotions swirl through the song like gusts of wind on a Fall day, moving and churning in a beautiful display of both creation and fear. In Good Time closes with "Cellar Door", a song about looking into the aspects of yourself that most frighten you; the things you'd rather not see. It's a song about crossing the bridge into adulthood, and taking on the fears we have hidden away from ourselves. It's an amazing closing song; a highly mature and introspective piece of songwriting that seems likely to be covered by others down the road.

Annie Fitzgerald shows a distinctive flair for writing highly personal and moving songs on In Good Time. Fitzgerald’s approach is mature beyond her years, and her voice is has the ring of angel song filtered through the rays of sunrise. Fitzgerald will captivate you with her songs, and you'll be waiting for more to come In Good Time.

Rating: 4.5 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about Annie Fitzgerald at http://www.anniefitzgerald.com/ or www.myspace.com/anniefitzgerald.  You can order In Good Time as either a CD or Download directly from Annie Fitzgerld's webstore.  digitally from Amazon.com or iTunes.