I’ve always been impressed with Broadway Records vocal albums, which equal in quality their outstanding Cast recordings. As well as the 54 Below series, they have also been instrumental in pushing the careers of young performers, and I was interested to see another recording by The Shapiro Sisters, who previously featured on a very enjoyable 54 Below release.

Following up their debut album Live Out Loud – Live at 54 Below, Abigail and Milly Shapiro are back with a new collection of songs. This studio EP showcases a more mature sound, with new songs by Andrew Lippa and Lourds Lane (Chix Six), as well as hits from Spring Awakening, No Doubt and Side Show.

This is very much an EP, with just 5 tracks, and I would have happily listened to more. I loved the opening track ‘Never Dreamed’, sung by Abigail, and accompanied on the piano by the composer, Andrew Lippa. I also enjoyed ‘Who Will Love Me As I Am’, from the musical Side Show, which is handled with great maturity by the girls. Apart from that track and ‘Mama Who Bore Me’ (from Spring Awakening, I’m not sure what show, if any, the others are from, and it would be good if this information could have perhaps been in the booklet.

A great listen, and I look forward to a full studio album from the girls, hopefully on Broadway Records, before too long.

8

Nick Smithson