BWW CD Reviews: Kristin Chenoweth's COMING HOME Enchants with Charm

Ever since WICKED made her a household name, there isn't much that Kristin Chenoweth does that doesn't make Broadway babies jump with joy. Recently, the Broadway megastar returned to her hometown of Broken Arrow, OK for a series of concerts. With PBS set to air video compiled from the concerts on November 28, 2014, Concord Music Group has released Kristin Chenoweth's first-ever live album COMING HOME. This special 15-track album allows audiences an inside peek into the concert and she enchants audiences with her signature vocal talent and charm.

With her unique blend of operatic vocal training and pop Broadway timbre, Kristin Chenoweth owns and emotes on every track on the album. Each rendition of these beloved numbers is just as breathtakingly beautiful as we would expect. Getting to experience her vocals live, without the trappings of studio production, there is simply no denying that Kristin Chenoweth is a master of her craft and deftly skilled in creating art with her voice. Truthfully, her vocal artistry is to the ears what painter Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn or Georges-Pierre Seurat's works are to the eyes.

Standout songs include a stirring rendition of Fred Ebb and John Kander's "My Coloring Book." With emotional sincerity in addition her superb tonal clarity, Kristin Chenoweth offers a version of the song that pulls all the right heartstrings. Her take on Stephen Foster's "Hard Times Come Again No More" radiates hope and confidence for a better tomorrow, as she sings the song faster than normal and with a vibrant bravado that indicates that nothing will be keeping Kristin Chenoweth down. Her charismatic and bubbly "Popular" from WICKED features her singing in multiple languages. Likewise, she delivers a stunning rendition of Dolly Parton's "Little Sparrow," ensuring that the evocative song is full of breathtaking emotion. Then, she closes the album with a grand version of her song "I Was Here."

In so many ways Kristin Chenoweth is the contemporary gold standard for Broadway sopranos. My only complaint with the 15-track album is that at roughly 64 minutes long, the album simply isn't long enough. I'd personally love to have another 60+ minutes of Kristin Chenoweth to enjoy. Otherwise, Kristin Chenoweth's COMING HOME offers everything that a fan of the star could ask for. It also serves as a great way for someone unfamiliar with the singer to get to know her. Her banter between songs lets us into her world, which allows us to better know Kristin Chenoweth the person. Simply put, COMING HOME is a welcome addition to any lover of vocal talent's CD collection.

Concord Music Group released COMING HOME physically and digitally on November 17, 2014. The album can be purchased from iTunes, Amazon, and elsewhere music is sold.