Bebe Neuwirth: Stories... in NYC is the latest release in Broadway Records / 54 Below's Live at 54 Below series. 54 Below is on 54th Street in New York, steps from Times Square, in the heart of theatreland, and combines the best of cabaret with the best of dining.

For most casual listeners, I'm guessing that Bebe Neuwirth is a relatively unknown, certainly in the UK. I've come across her a couple of times, but never really took much notice. Television audiences will know her for her multiple Emmy Award-winning role as Lilith Crane on Cheers, but it’s the Broadway stage that she truly calls home. Neuwirth starred as Velma in the Broadway production of Chicago, for which she won a Tony® Award, Drama Desk Award, Astaire Award, and Distinguished Performance of the Year Award. A few years later she returned to the show, this time portraying Roxie, making her the only triple-threat to have starred in both leading roles on Broadway. And she has now added to that, by announcing she will be returning in 2014 as Mamma Morten, making her now the only person in the world to play all three leading lady roles in the show.

So I was looking forward to hearing more from Neuwirth, and I also came across a solo album of hers recently, again that I wasn't aware of. There's a wide range of songs and styles on this album, all accompanied by Scott Cady on piano. Generally, this works ok, but some numbers cry out for a bigger backing (it's possible to have more musicians at 54 Below, as previous CDs have proven), and at times, the standard of accompaniment wasn't what you would expect. Things seem to have been thought about in pairs when choosing numbers - there's a couple from Kander & Ebb, a couple from Tom Waits, and a couple from Weill. Neuwirth says up front that this is a show of story songs (hence the title) and the songs are certainly a good selection, and of quality. I could have lived without 'Slow Boat to China', but some of the others more than make up for it. Her rendition of 'Mr Bojangles' is extremely gentle, and the first time I've heard this from a female vocalist. The Weill songs are, as they always tend to be, delivered with passion and belief, and are the most successful numbers on the album.

Whether you like Neuwirth's voice or not is something I can't influence - it's not particularly my cup of tea, but is listenable enough. The production on the album is up to Broadway Record's usual standard, as is the impressive booklet and information contained therein. There seemed more background 'noise' and clattering of cutlery on this release than the others - at least it reminds you that you are listening to a quality, live recording, because again, without that, the quality of recording makes it hard to tell.

Not one of my favourites in this series, but a worthwhile listen.

7

Ian Gude