Album Review: Andrew Lloyd Webber – ‘Divas’

By Jeff Swindoll Dec 16, 2006, 13:56 GMT

This is a wonderful collection to bring out the diva in you.

There’s usually one moment in any Andrew Lloyd Webber musical that is a breakout song for the diva and usually becomes a hit (The exception may be Michael Crawford).  A diva is an operatic prima dona (a prima dona is the leading female vocalist in an opera company, a temperamental or conceited person, or both.).  With the diva in mind, this collection of the greatest Lloyd Webber performances have been compiled and performed by some of the divas themselves. 

The tracks include “Memory” by Betty Buckley, “The Music of the Night” by Katherine Jenkins, “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” by Madonna, “All I Ask of You” by Shirley Bassey, “With One Look” by Glenn Close, “Learn to be Lonely” by Minnie Driver, “The Perfect Year” by Dina Carroll, “I Don’t Know How to Love Him” by Yvonne Elliman, “Buenos Aires” by Patti LuPone, “As If We Never Said Goodbye” by Barbara Streisand, “Rainbow High” by Elaine Page, “Tell Me on a Sunday” by Marti Webb, “The Heart is Slow to Learn” by Kiri Te Kanawa, and “Another Suitcase in Another Hall” by Barbara Dickson. 

My familiarity really runs more with Phantom, Cats, and Evita (a little Sunset Boulevard but more with the Billy Wilder film).  A word to the wise, you’ll be wanting to belt out those tunes that you’re familiar with along with the CD.  Expect your office mates to give you funny looks, especially if you’re a gentleman (cough, cough…I speak from experience). 

This is a wonderful collection to bring out the diva in you (the office will never be the same).  I will now return to singing “Music of the Night.”  Now where did I put my Phantom mask?

‘Divas’ is now available at Amazon. Visit the music database for more information and a complete track listing.