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The Beat Goes On [MP3]
The Beat Goes On [MP3]
Liz Callaway has one of the best voices on Broadway, with a clear-as-a-bell tone, seemingly effortless soprano range, and terrific warmth. After spending five years on Broadway as Grizabella in Cats and further occupying herself with animated voiceover work, Callaway has released The Beat Goes On, her first solo album since 1995's outstanding The Story Goes On, and it was worth the wait. Naturally, any celebration of the frenetic '60s needs a wide scope, and included here are infectious pop ("Wedding Bell Blues"), Broadway musicals (Hair's "Frank Mills," Promises, Promises' "Half as Big as Life"), the Beatles ("When I'm 64"), social protest ("Where Have All the Flowers Gone"), and movie music ("Moon River"), all masterfully arranged by music director Alex Rybeck. Callaway has never sounded better--her "Up, Up and Away" soars, and "Wouldn't It Be Nice" is totally irresistible. She confesses that recording Petula Clark's "Downtown" has been a lifelong fantasy; it comes true in this dream of an album. --David Horiuchi