First Great Amazon Review for Racette

Crossover: Some Can, Same Can't - Patricia Racette Can and DOES!, January 14, 2013 This review is from: Diva on Detour (MP3 Music) Established as one of the most frequently cast sopranos on the opera stages today, Patricia Racette is not only beautiful to see but her soprano is rich and full and dramatic and she is as versatile as anyone on the stage today. Now she pushes the boundaries even further with this live recording in April 2012 of a series of cabaret songs with pianist Craig Terry. Many opera stars attempt crossover albums with varying results, at times breaking into operatic soaring when crooning is more in sync with the songs. Patricia Racette knows how to belt the big songs, croon the love songs, beguile her listeners with the standards and in general provide some insights to songs we all thought we knew so well. She sensitively places a number of these songs in medleys, beginning with combining "I Got Rhythm with `Get Happy'. She then moves into the mood with `Here's that Rainy Day', `Not a care in the world', `Angel Eyes' and `I'm Calm'. And as is typical of Racette's respect for tradition and artists of the past she devotes a medley to the music of Edith Piaf - `Milord', `Padam-Padam', and `La Vie en rose.' She knows how to belt (` The Man That Got Away', `To Keep My Love Alive', `Come Rain or Come Shine' and `Where or When'. The remainder of the songs on the album include `You've Changed', `Guess Who I Saw Today', `Where Do You Start?', `So In Love', `Mon Dieu' and ` Not a day goes by.' Each one is a zinger. She has the role down pat and will be recognized from now on as a singer who can communicate on any level with any audience. This is a sensational release! Grady Harp, January 13