The whole CD is a great compilation of beautiful melodies. I play it while doing yoga and it definitely creates a relaxing ambience; I only need to close my eyes and I found myself in the middle of Paris. Barbara is blessed with a beautiful voice, I definitely recommend Taking Request: From Paris to Porter.
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A perfect gift for anyone--ANYONE--on your holiday list. It's that classic.

Gentle humour and heartfelt, sumptuous jazz stylings combine to create this valentine to Papendorp’s two muses, Paris and Cole Porter— with half the cuts comprising French cabaret standards and the other half an unexpected mix of showtunes by Porter (who also happened to like Paris).   The listener senses something special in store from the first elegant tinklings of Amy Conley’s piano accompaniment, captured richly by sound engineer Jeff Gruber. Then come Papendorp's splendid vocals, which, combined with her natural versatility, lend contemporary elegance to Gilbert Bécaud and Pierre Delanoe’s “Et Maintenant,” wry humour to Porter’s “Thank You So Much Mrs. Lowsboro Goodby” and heartbreaking sincerity to a gorgeous French version of the Gershwins’ “Someone To Watch Over Me.” In the final two tracks alone, Papendorp shifts effortlessly from Porter’s outrageously silly “The Physician” to his astoundingly sad “Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye.” She also masters the breeze and sophistication of Pink Martini's “Symaptique,” even while accompanying herself on the kazoo. 

Papendorp's joie de vivre? Matchless.

THIS IS A GEM!!!
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Great choice of familiar songs  and some forgotten gems make this a great cabaret album.
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