It’s always a pleasure to receive new recordings to review from Broadway Records, and their latest vocalist release is no exception.

In 1990, Broadway’s Mimi Bessette (star of Broadway’s Bonnie & Clyde) released her album Lullabies of Broadway. Hailed by Show Music Magazine as “just the sort of voice you’d want to listen to if someone were singing you a lullaby,” this classic album garnered the Parent’s Choice Seal of Approval and a New York Music Award nomination. Featuring songs from Peter Pan, Les Misérables, Gone With the Wind, 42nd Street and more, all lovingly rearranged as soothing lullabies. Broadway Records reissues this album, produced by Keith Thompson, with new packaging.

Following up Lullabies of Broadway, Mimi returns with a brand new album, Lullabies of Broadway Act II. Featuring sixteen songs from Waitress, Bright Star, Annie Get Your Gun, The Secret Garden and more, and guest vocals from Luca Padovan (School of Rock) and David Lutken (Woody Sez), Lullabies of Broadway Act II weaves a calming musical tapestry from some of Broadway’s greatest songs.

I really enjoyed this release. Mimi’s voice has a folky quality to it, that fits great with the choice of songs. I listened to this several times, and it’s a very relaxing listen - as, I guess, it’s designed to be. There’s so many highlights on this CD, and songs I kept hitting repeat on. They are all sung with perfection, and have orchestrations that sit so well beneath the vocals. Never overpowering, always complementing. 'Finding Wonderland', from Wildhorn’s Wonderland was my stand-out favourite - so nice to hear the song again. I also loved 'Morning Go', and the song that should never had been cut from the otherwise-perfect Once On This Island, 'Come Down From The Tree'.

As usual, there’s a great booklet accompanying the release, that details each song, and the instrumentalists.

A lovely listen, and one that’s recommended to all.

9

Ian Gude