BWW #TBT CD Reviews: Sutton Foster's WISH and AN EVENING WITH SUTTON FOSTER are Bubbly and Vivacious

Sutton Foster, no stranger to Broadway or TV, is currently wowing audiences as Queenie in New York City Center's Encores! Off-Center concert production of Andrew Lippa's The Wild Party. Whether you're a diehard fan, a casual fan, or a newcomer to Sutton Foster's charms and talents, her solo albums should be in your collection. Her beguiling and sweet debut album WISH was released in 2008 by Ghostlight Records, In 2011 they also released her radiant sophomore album, AN EVENING WITH SUTTON FOSTER - LIVE AT THE CAFÉ CARLYLE.

As a live album, her sophomore album presents many of the songs from WISH as live recordings. AN EVENING WITH SUTTON FOSTER - LIVE AT THE CAFÉ CARLYLE also features songs from various Broadway shows. Some of which she had been involved with up to that point in her career. Thus, it allows audiences at home to appreciate how truly amazing Sutton Foster's instrument is. It becomes abundantly clear when listening to her second album that there is no studio manipulation of her vocals on the first album. Her sweetly melodic voice resonates across both discs, filling listeners with warmth and joy as we hear her lovely voice sing pop and jazz favorites with sincere artistry.

Both albums open with a warm and melodic rendition of the jazz standard "I'm Beginning to See the Light" (Duke Ellington, Don George, Johnny Hodges, and Harry James). The arrangement comes to bubbly vivacious life as it is strummed on a ukulele, letting audiences know that they are in for a great time. Another stand out performance is her tender and lovely version of the pop hit "Up on the Roof" (Gerry Goffin and Carole King). Likewise, her cover of the comedic and sultry "Air Conditioner" (Christine Lavin) is a true treat on both of the discs. On WISH her version of "Nobody's Cryin'" (Patty Griffin) and on both albums her versions of "Come the Wild, Wild Weather" (Noël Coward) showcases her skills in crafting gorgeous ballads.

Don't miss Sutton Foster in THE WILD PARTY at New York City Center. It runs through July 18, 2015. For tickets and more information, please visit http://www.nycitycenter.org or call (212) 581-1212. You can also purchase WISH from Ghostlight Records' online store, iTunes, and Amazon. AN EVENING WITH SUTTON FOSTER - LIVE AT THE CAFÉ CARLYLE can also be purchased from Ghostlight Records' online store, iTunes, and Amazon.