Two Of Broadway's Original CATS Score 'Big-Time' With Their New CDs

Winter doldrums and Valentine's Day have bestowed upon us two unique and original CDs by unique contemporary artists with major Broadway "roots" and credentials.  Those two stars are Betty Buckley, with her latest release, QUINTESSENCE (with Kenny Werner) and Ken Page, with his debut Double CD, called PAGE BY PAGE. 

I am usually known to do huge CD round-ups, but these two recordings are in a different league and, by sheer coincidence, both artists appeared in the Original Broadway Cast of Andrew Lloyd Webber's CATS, at The Winter Garden Theatre.  HE, as Old Deuteronomy and SHE, as the aging Glamour Cat, Grizabella. 

Let's start with Buckley, who's currently in town, holding court and, apparently, having a blast at FEINSTEIN'S at The Regency Hotel, with not just one, but TWO shows!  The regularly scheduled evening shows, which she does with Kenny Werner and her band, focus on material from the enthusiastically received BETTY BUCKLEY 1967 CD and the current release, QUINTESSENCE.  In addition, and as is her way, she continues to push forward with new material as well and, if The New York Times review was any indication, has many a highlight.  

And, as if that weren't enough, people are also talking about the specially scheduled (and less expensive) late shows, in which she does material more for the "Broadway" crowd and, last week, knocked everyone out with her humor and that extraordinary instrument of a voice.  Early Show … Late Show … Who cares?  To see Betty Buckley is a great experience … period! 

QUINTESSENCE (Playbill Records/Masterworks Broadway) turns out to be her most accessible recording in quite some time (excluding the joyous 1967 recording).  As a listening experience … it really is something … and the "take" she and Werner have on the song list "clicks" this time.  Personal favorites include: "So Many Stars," which sets the stage for the journey, as it almost immediately gets "bumpy" on "The Surrey With The Fringe On Top," which NO ONE seems to be on the fence about.  They either love it or hate it!  Good job, Betty!  Other highlights are "Get Here," "Dindi/How Insensitive," "The Man I Used To Love," "No One Is Alone," "Anyone Can Whistle," …. I actually love the whole album and have listened to it again and again.  The order the songs are in is somewhat hypnotic and absolutely riveting … almost like a play.  

Renowned artist Robert W. Richards designed the unabashedly glamorous cover for QUINTESSENCE and more good news for Betty Buckley fans - you can find 4 bonus tracks at the new "go to" and "trendy" music web site - Rhapsody.com.

five stars (out of 5)
(click here to buy)

PAGE BY PAGE (LML Music) is sort of a male version of LENA HORNE: THE LADY AND HER MUSIC.  I couldn't help smiling, as I listened …. because it just happens to be Black History Month and Ken Page "is" Black Broadway History.  He was in the Original Broadway Cast of the Tony Award winning Best Musical, AIN'T MISBEHAVIN', the Original Broadway Cast of the All –Black GUYS & DOLLS, literally "stopping the show" nightly with "Sit Down You're Rockin' The Boat," "THE WIZ," playing The Cowardly Lion opposite Stephanie Mills (can you even imagine?) and the Tony Award winning production of CATS.  These are just some of his credits, as he's also been to London's West End a number of times, etc.   

All of it is documented in this LIVE recording which tells a unique "showbiz" story – HIS story - and it is FANTASTIC!  I saw him do the show recently, here in New York at The Metropolitan Room.  The place was packed and, boy, did he deliver!  I don't want to give away too much about this double CD – because it plays like a show and the stories are as good as the songs. 

Ken Page lives in Los Angeles now and we occasionally get to see him in films or on television.  Among some memorable appearances were the recent film of DREAMGIRLS (he sings "Patience" in this recording) and he was in the film version of Harvey Fierstein's TORCH SONG TRILOGY. He also tours with PAGE BY PAGE, directs and, being a native of St. Louis, appears regularly at The MUNY, most recently playing Thenardier in last summer's LES MISERABLES. 

Get this recording.  You won't be sorry.  

five stars (out of 5)
(click here to buy)