Album Notes

REVIEWS OF "THE MELODY LINGERS ON":

Francis Davis - SOUND AND VISION
I'm going to insist you hear this because: (1) accompanied by a rhythm section led by the attentive pianist McAfee, Lea -- the logical successor to Mabel Mercer as Queen Mother of cabaret -- turns in definitive interpretations of 20 great songs familiar and obscure... (2) this is the only place to find the slowed-down, heartbreaking "Begin the Beguine" that has been a centerpiece of her shows for the past decade..."

Alan Bargebuhr - CADENCE
...the more familiar standards should not be overlooked because Barbara is very apt to illuminate them anew... This is cabaret music with subtle jazz touches; an absolute honey of a CD.

Max Preeo - SHOW MUSIC
Nothing could be more welcome than a new release from Barbara Lea, a great singer who hasn't cracked mainstream audiences but delights those fortunate to catch her in cabaret and jazz clubs... She's a song's friend. Whether ballad or novelty, her interpretations make them refreshed.

SHORT BIO
Barbara Lea is acknowledged one of the finest exponents of American show tunes and standards.

Her professional career, which started upon graduation from Wellesley College, has taken her from clubs to concert halls to jazz bands to recording studios.

Studying acting to improve her stage presence, she launched a new career as an actress in plays and musicals, playing everything from glamorous femmes fatales to hillbilly grannies, from musical comedy to Shakespeare.

She has CDs available on Audiophile, the European label Challenge, and Fantasy/OJC.

Press quotes: "Barbara Lea has no superior among popular singers" (The New Yorker).

"Barbara Lea is that rarity in this day and age, a singer whose voice is a musical instrument, whose reading of a lyric makes complete sense, who knows how to phrase and shade, has style, charm, and the ability to evoke the opulent glamour of a night on the town with caviar and champagne." (Melody Maker)

"Out of all the performers to be seen in New York clubs this weekend, none is more artistically distinguished than Barbara Lea" (NY Times).

"A singer does not arrive easily at that stage in a career when she can be said to hold court during her nightclub appearances. Mabel Mercer was a prime example of one who did, and Barbara Lea, even without Miss Mercer's regal bearing, has developed that rare aura". (NY Times).

"Aside from the sheer enjoyment of listening to superb music expertly executed, Barbara Lea can teach you more about music and about singing a song in one hour than you'll get out of a year of voice lessons" (Backstage).

"The performance forced you to reconsider the virtues of a song you thought you'd have been perfectly happy never to hear again (Philadelphia Inquirer).

"Lea's voice and delivery, her beautiful intonation and interpretations are unsurpassed" (San Francisco Examiner).