ROBIN JAMES: Songs of Love, Longing & Levity

Robin James

Songs of Love, Longing & Levity

© 2002 RDI

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Robin has been compared by NY cabaret reviewers to stars as diverse as Edith Piaf, Madeline Kahn & Julie Andrews; a lilting voice and varied repertoire, spanning French cabaret, standards, Broadway & comedy.

notes

"Robin James, a lovely singer with a charming presence, made her New York cabaret debut recently at Don't Tell Mama and, with talented Dick Gallagher as her musical director and accompanist, she's already choosing wisely.



James has a flexible, bright soprano that reminded me a little of Julie Andrews and a lot of Madeline Kahn. In fact, from her patter and personality, it's clear that there's a natural comedienne lurking under her shimmering gown just bursting to get out. My advice to her is to open the door. However, if she wants to go down a more formal cabaret path, she can do that too. Her French is especially impressive with beautiful phrasing and effortless pronunciation on songs like "J'Attendrai" and "Les Feuilles Mortes."



Whatever she chooses, it will be exciting to see what James does next."

David Hurst, Show Business Weekly



"During the eclectic program Robin James unpacked at Don't Tell Mama a few weeks ago, she managed at one moment or another to look like Beatrice Lillie, Gloria Swanson, and Helen Morgan. It was in the tilt of her head or the arch of a lip. Amazing, considering that she more than likely wasn't trying for the effects and maybe isn't even aware the similarities exist.



Nevertheless, singing "Bill" (P. G. Wodehouse-Oscar Hammerstein II-Jerome Kern), she seemed to be channeling Morgan, the song's popularizer. When she delivered

"Stepsisters' Lament" (Hammerstein II-Richard Rodgers), there was a soupcon of Bea Lillie that didn't hurt her. Something of Swanson's imperiousness added flair to "Cry Me a River" (Arthur Hamilton).



As a matter of fact, when it comes to the art of singing, James seemed to have it all. She was always precisely on pitch; she had great diction no matter in what language she was singing (she gave out with five French faves in a row); her phrasing was imaginative without calling attention to itself."

David Finkle, BackStage



"Her delicate soprano vocals, flavored with a touch of Broadway, were a delight."

Stu Hamstra, Cabaret Hotline Online





This album reprises the repertoire of Robin's sold-out 2002 show at Don't Tell Mama in New York City. The eclectic song list includes numbers by Edith Piaf, Jacques Brel, George Gershwin, Hoagy Carmichael and 14 other songwriters, including some unusual and very funny gems. Accompanying Robin is multi-MAC Award-winning musical director and pianist Dick Gallagher. A finely-tuned balance of songs of love, longing and levity, you will listen to this album again and again.



Robin James lives in Manhattan. In "real life" she is a graduate of Bryn Mawr College, the mother of two teenagers and a national account manager at Wilson Learning, a performance improvement and training firm.

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  • Uplifting, good solid listening fun!
    author: Ute Cherny

    I enjoy listening to this CD on my hour-long commute to the office. The music is uplifting and takes away the insanity of the rush hour. It is good, solid listening fun- I enter my office energized after a good dose of Robin's "Songs of Love, Longing & Levity".

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