Cabaret Scenes CD Review

Carol Hall once said, “A song is not a song until somebody sings it ...”

With her wonderful new compilation album, Hallways, the Songs of Carol Hall, released by LML Music, Hall proves just that as her songs, some written with lofty collaborators, and seemingly her life, come alive. All are reflected with equanimity as sung by a thrilling array of singers and musicians including: Tom Andersen, Hubert “Tex” Arnold, Susannah Blinkoff, Scott Coulter, Tim Di Pasqua, Lesley Gore, Bobby Gosh, Rick Jensen, Steven Lutvak, Laurel Massé, Sally Mayes, Amanda McBroom, Johnny Rodgers, Carol Woods and the Broadway Inspirational Voices as well as Hall herself.

The album is a scrapbook of new and old songs that reflect the wonders of life. It takes a certain courage to swim against the tide in today’s wacky music industry and call on bits and pieces from one’s own life as subject for your material. And while it is very subtle to the listener of her compositions, Hallways ultimately reflects personalized insights into what this talented lady is about. The eclectic album is a poignant potpourri of ditties that tickle the funny bone and some trenchant ballads that tug at the heartstrings. While all cuts are standouts, particular highlights include Tom Andersen, Scott Coulter and Tim Di Pasqua singing a timely “War On Christmas Day.” The same can be said about “Do You Know What I Mean?” sung with passion by Carol Woods and the Broadway Inspirational Voices. “Dublin In the Rain” as sung by Farah Alvin is a moving ballad that is bound to find a life in cabaret. A cut called “Hungry For You,” sung by Lesley Gore, is a memorable ode to loneliness that cuts deep. Every song has Hall’s stamp of intelligence, humor and her trademark passion for life’s journeys. Albeit romantic kitsch or overflowing with passion, the songs of Hall are always real. This is especially true of the album’s most telling cut, “Circle of Friends,” now a trademark for her which is perhaps her most revealing expose of her own heart.

John Hoglund
Cabaret Scenes
May 2008
www.cabaretscenes.org



	Carol Hall Hallways: The Songs of Carol Hall LML Music
Carol Hall once said, “A song is not a song until somebody sings it ...” With her wonderful new compilation album, Hallways, the Songs of Carol Hall, released by LML Music, Hall proves just that as her songs, some written with lofty collaborators, and seemingly her life, come alive. All are reflected with equanimity as sung by a thrilling array of singers and musicians including: Tom Andersen, Hubert “Tex” Arnold, Susannah Blinkoff, Scott Coulter, Tim Di Pasqua, Lesley Gore, Bobby Gosh, Rick Jensen, Steven Lutvak, Laurel Massé, Sally Mayes, Amanda McBroom, Johnny Rodgers, Carol Woods and the Broadway Inspirational Voices as well as Hall herself. The album is a scrapbook of new and old songs that reflect the wonders of life. It takes a certain courage to swim against the tide in today’s wacky music industry and call on bits and pieces from one’s own life as subject for your material. And while it is very subtle to the listener of her compositions, Hallways ultimately reflects personalized insights into what this talented lady is about. The eclectic album is a poignant potpourri of ditties that tickle the funny bone and some trenchant ballads that tug at the heartstrings. While all cuts are standouts, particular highlights include Tom Andersen, Scott Coulter and Tim Di Pasqua singing a timely “War On Christmas Day.” The same can be said about “Do You Know What I Mean?” sung with passion by Carol Woods and the Broadway Inspirational Voices. “Dublin In the Rain” as sung by Farah Alvin is a moving ballad that is bound to find a life in cabaret. A cut called “Hungry For You,” sung by Lesley Gore, is a memorable ode to loneliness that cuts deep. Every song has Hall’s stamp of intelligence, humor and her trademark passion for life’s journeys. Albeit romantic kitsch or overflowing with passion, the songs of Hall are always real. This is especially true of the album’s most telling cut, “Circle of Friends,” now a trademark for her which is perhaps her most revealing expose of her own heart. John Hoglund Cabaret Scenes May 2008 www.cabaretscenes.org

Carol Hall

Hallways: The Songs of Carol Hall

LML Music