"MEN IN MY LIFE"
The new studio album from ALISON FRASER
ALBUM PRODUCED BY CHRISTOPHER McGOVERN
Alison's intimate follow-up solo album to "New York Romance" reunites her with "Lizzie Borden" composer & co-author Christopher McGovern and features 2 previously unrecorded songs by William Finn. Musicians include Windham Hill recording artist Sean Harkness on guitar and an amazing collection of NYC's finest players.
The Songs
1. Storyteller (Christopher McGovern) 2. The Beautiful Land (Leslie Bricusse & Anthony Newley) 3. Quiet Nights Of Quiet Stars/The Look Of Love (Antonio Carlos Jobim & Gene Lees; Burt Bacharach & Hal David) 4. Everyday I Write The Book (Elvis Costello) 5. City Of Dreams/The End Comes Softly (David & Joseph Zellnik) 6. Parallel Lines (Todd Rundgren) 7. Wrong For Me (Rusty Magee) 8.Young At Heart (Carolyn Leigh & Johnny Richards)The Vice Medley:9. Smoke (Charles Leipart & Eric Schorr)/10. Put It On My Tab (Marion Adler & Craig Bohmler)/11. Show Me The Way To Go Home (Irving King)/12. The Pill Song (William Finn) 13. The Passion Of Rhoda (William Finn) Duet With WILLIAM FINN 14. Romantic Notions (Barry Harman & Keith Herrmann) 15. Men In My Life (Alison Fraser & Christopher McGovern)
The Musicians
Drums/Percussion: Joe Brady Additional Percussion (Beribau, Talking Drum, Llama Shaker, Caxixi): Robin Burdulis Cello: Jennifer Gravenstine Guitars: Sean Harkness (appears courtesy of Windham Hill Records) Trumpet: Erik Jekabsen Reeds: Peter Kikidakis Accordion/Additional Piano: Rusty Magee Piano/Keyboards: Christopher McGovern Viola: Joi Danielle Price
Special Guest Vocals: William Finn
Production
Recorded & Mixed at Sound Magick, NYC Track Production//Orchestrations/Arrangements/Musical Direction: Christopher McGovern Mastering: Paul Gold at DIGI-ROM, NYC Graphics & Insert Design: Bob Weston, Weston Graphics, NYC
Critical Response...
"On Alison Fraser's new solo CD, "Men in My Life," the Tony-nominated actress performs over a dozen songs that pay tribute to the various men who have influenced her life thus far. The star of March of the Falsettos; Romance/ Romance; and The Secret Garden delivers a wide array of tunes, many from new or lesser-known composers, including the album's producer, Christopher McGovern. Fraser possesses one of the more unique voices in the business, a sweet, pure tone that is as ideally suited for soothing lullabies as it is for big Broadway ballads...she is at her best when she's delivering theatre tunes, which enable her, as an actress, to carefully explore the character and meaning of the songs. What's especially exciting for Broadway fans on this recording are several previously unrecorded musical theatre tunes: "The Pill Song" from William Finn's America Kicks Up Its Heels; In Trousers' "The Passion of Rhoda," which also features vocals from composer Finn; Charles Leipart and Eric Schorr's "Smoke" from espresso trasho; and two tunes from David and Joseph Zellnik's City of Dreams. Highlights of the recording include McGovern's lilting opener, "Storyteller"; a lovely medley of Zellnik and Zellnik's "City of Dreams" and "The End Comes Softly"; Todd Rundgren's "Parallel Lines," a song from the musical Up Against It, in which Fraser appeared at the Public Theater; Keith Hermann and Barry Harman's beautiful ode to romance, "Romantic Notions"; Finn's "The Pill Song," a dark, humorous tune that Fraser brings to vivid life; and the CD's title track, "Men in My Life," a composition by Fraser and McGovern. The very enjoyable disc is available from Original Cast Records."
- ANDREW GANS, DIVA TALK: CDs and News
"I have a mad crush on Alison Fraser (The Secret Garden), so I was happy to receive her second solo CD, the intensely personal MEN IN MY LIFE (Original Cast records 8601; 48:55). Dedicated to those who influenced her individuality and career, it reveals Fraser at a height of her singing/acting talents. Produced, orchestrated and musical directed by Christopher McGovern, composer of Lizzie Borden, the album has a rich, varied program. The Roar Of The Greasepaints' "The Beautiful Land" pays tribute to the late Anthony Newley, on whom Fraser has her own long-running crush. "Quiet Nights/The Look Of Love" and Elvis Costello's "Everyday I Write The Book" demonstrate Fraser's affinity with pop music, past and present. She performed "Romantic Notions" in Romance/Romance, "Parallel Lines" in Todd Rundgren's Up Against It, "Put It On My Tab" in Gunmetal Blues, and the darkly humorous "The Pill Song" in William Finn's America Kicks Up Its Heels. The last two titles are part of a "Vice Medley" that includes "Smoke" (from Charles Leipart's and Eric Schorr's unproduced espresso trasho) and "Show Me The Way To Go Home", exhibiting Fraser's skill in creating characters from a lyric. Finn joins her in an amusing duet of In Trouser's previously unrecorded "The Passion Of Rhoda". "Wrong For Me" is by Rusty Magee, Fraser's husband, a talented writer himself. Her distinctive, warmly reedy voice makes Fraser's album pure pleasure."
-MAX PREEO, Editor, SHOWMUSIC MAGAZINE
"Alison Fraser is a Tony award nominated musical theater star known for her fine performances in "Romance/Romance" and "The Secret Garden." In her new solo album, "Men In My Life" (Original Cast OC-8601), she demonstrates an easy, relaxed style as she delivers 15 well done songs including several musical theater gems from rarely heard shows. The songs are themed to men who have crossed through her life. All the songs are delightful and the album is a fun listen. Fraser is especially good in "Romantic Notions" from her Broadway show, "Romance/Romance." Fraser is one of my favorite musical theater stars and it is nice to have such a lovely album of wonderful songs so well sung by this brilliant artist.
Grade: A!"
CHRIS CURCIO
"Take seventeen prime songs, nine choice musicians, one divine singer and simmer gently for fifty minutes, serve hot and consume immediately to enjoy the full flavour. That is a recipe that appeals to me as it is no secret that I am a fan of the fabulous and fascinating Alison Fraser so the arrival of a new CD by the lady was undoubtedly a keenly anticipated event. And I am delighted to report that Miss Fraser's second solo offering does not disappoint. With Men In My Life, Alison has enjoyed the support of Christopher McGovern of Lizzie Borden fame who acts as musical director and producer, plays piano and keyboard and even finds time to contribute a couple of songs. A man of many trades and judging by this recording, master of all. Now Alison has always been catholic in her choice of material and here again she displays that not only can she find quality songs from various diverse sources but that she can handle them all with consummate ease, giving each unique treatment with that enchanting voice. Here writers from the world of the stage like William Finn ("The Pill Song", "The Passion Of Rhoda" - on which he duets) and Harman & Herrmann (the gorgeous "Romantic Notions" from Romance/Romance) rub shoulders with refugees from rock like Elvis Costello ("Everyday I Write The Book") and Todd Rundgren ("Parallel Lines"). And if that were not disparate enough for you, what about "The Look Of Love" sharing CD space with "Show Me The Way To Go Home"? The involving set is topped and tailed by the work of Christopher McGovern, kicking off with the delightful "Storyteller" and calling time with "Men In My Life", co-written with Alison. The theme created by the album's title is continued through the clever packaging, in which Miss Fraser pays tribute to the males who have influenced her through the years with a gallery of personal photographs. It is an effective idea and provides the icing on the cake, reinforcing the aura of class that pervades the whole work...
Miss it at your peril!"
MIKE GIBB, Editor
MASQUERADE MAGAZINE, UK
" ALISON FRASER's latest album, MEN IN MY LIFE, is hot off the presses and currently distributed by Original Cast Records. This endeavor reunites Alison with LIZZIE BORDEN (the musical) creator CHRISTOPHER McGOVERN, and nobody could be happier about the two of them getting back together than me. I received a copy of the LIZZIE BORDEN album while I was on tour a little over a year ago and I was so enamored with the work that, after only a few days, I knew every song on the CD. Finally, after cyber stalking them both, I have gotten to know both Alison and Christopher and now have an even greater respect for their work.
The concept of MEN IN MY LIFE is to focus through music on the various masculine influences that have at one time been, or currently are, present in Alison's life-men who are variously undefeatable, trustworthy, ancient and wise, scoundrel, friend or partner. There are selections to represent each one of these qualities, and more, on the album.
Over the last month, and after repeated listening, I have experienced a couple of interesting revelations regarding the disc. One of the more exciting examples is Alison's tribute to ANTHONY NEWLEY: "The Beautiful Land" has a message for those of you searching for happiness anywhere other than within yourself. The message was clear from the beginning, but it was not until I heard the song after an emotional and intense conversation that I realized how cleverly written the orchestrations are, and how they add another whole level to the message. I would like to think that I "got it" when I was supposed to.
Another man in Alison's life, WILLIAM FINN not only provides music for the disc but also sings a duet with Alison on "The Passion Of Rhoda." Best known for his Tony winning MARCH OF THE FALSETTOS, Finn has referred to Alison in past interviews as his muse. During their duet, for brief moments, Alison seems to respectfully step back so that we can focus on the rough strength and incredibly honest vocal qualities of Finn; he sings the music as only its composer could.
Alison also sings Finn's "The Pill Song," an up-tempo ditty from the show AMERICA KICKS UP ITS HEELS. The incredibly dark theme of this happy-go-lucky melody causes you to consider its inspiration, and Alison's colorful and dramatic story-singing gifts are found here in abundance. There is definitely more to each of these songs than meets the ear; certainly, there are a more revelations I'll experience while listening to MEN IN MY LIFE. I look forward to each one."
-FORREST MALLARD, Production Notes/Theatremania.com
"This Just In Dept. I just heard the gorgeous new Alison Fraser album MEN IN MY LIFE. Alison has a wonderful voice. She and producer Christopher McGovern take it easy with a luscious mix of sultry numbers."
-Bill Jennings
"Men In My Life" is available at Colony Music, Virgin Megastore &
Tower, NYC
Mail order: ORIGINAL CAST RECORDS
BOX 496
Georgetown, CT 06829
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