Wednesday, March 7, 2018

Gordon MacRae In Concert [1958]


Capitol Records T980
Notwithstanding the word "concert" in the title, there is no audible evidence that the LP Gordon MacRae In Concert was recorded live. No applause ends tracks, and the sound clearly suggests a studio recording. That said, the collection is an excellent representation of MacRae's vocal talents as applied to a collection of standards, many of them from the musical theater. Of course, as demonstrated on-stage and in films, not to mention actual concerts, MacRae possesses a powerful low tenor/high baritone, ideal for rangy songs like the ones he tackles here, including Cole Porter's "So in Love," Kurt Weill's "Lost in the Stars," Jerome Kern's "Ol' Man River," and George Gershwin's "Summertime." These are not always songs that he would be likely to sing in theatrical productions. Here he soars through the anthemic themes, accompanied by stirring strings. Equally impressive are such inspirational favorites as "I Believe" and "Danny Boy." MacRae may only be live in the studio on this "In Concert" album, but it's easy to imagine his listeners cheering at the end of some of these performances.

Tracklist:
01 Begin The Beguine
02 So In Love
03 Lost In The Stars
04 Ol' Man River
05 Summertime
06 I Believe
07 Water Boy
08 I Love Thee
09 Stranger In Paradise
10 Danny Boy
11 Where Or When
12 Without A Song

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