Memories of Nancy LaMott
One of my greatest passions was for the cabaret singer Nancy LaMott. She had the uncanny ability to get to the emotional core of just about any song she sang, but she also had a wonderful sense of fun in her singing. She left us far too young (how can it be almost 10 years ago?) and I was heartbroken. I never "knew" her, (read Terry Teachout's loving tribute to her in his A Terry Teachout Reader from someone who did), but during every show she always made her audience feel as if they were all friends.
I was lucky enough to see her on multiple occasions over the last two years of her life (at the Algonquin, Tavern on the Green, etc.) and while her CDs convey much about her, it was live and in person that made me totally fall for her. She was charming and funny and I always left her shows with a grin on my face and warm feeling inside.
Her CDs have been only intermittently available over the past few years due to legal problems, but they are now back and I've just heard that a new one will be available on Feb. 1. It is taken from a live show at Tavern on the Green, in her last appearance (which I unfortuntately missed) there shortly before her death. Reading about it on David Friedman's site, "this CD is filled with radiant, joyful, gorgeously sung performances, as well as charming, funny, often-touching patter. " This promises to be a very special release. More should be forthcoming.
I love all her CDs, but if I had to recommend one to start out with, I think it might be My Foolish Heart, which may be just sentimental, because it was the first one that I heard. Her Sondheim medley is so packed full of emotion it leaves me breathless. Another favorite CD is Just in Time for Christmas, and even though we're about two weeks too late, it's still worth a listen (my favorites are All Those Christmas Cliches and the title track). And then there is... Never mind, just get them all. Trust me on this.
I was lucky enough to see her on multiple occasions over the last two years of her life (at the Algonquin, Tavern on the Green, etc.) and while her CDs convey much about her, it was live and in person that made me totally fall for her. She was charming and funny and I always left her shows with a grin on my face and warm feeling inside.
Her CDs have been only intermittently available over the past few years due to legal problems, but they are now back and I've just heard that a new one will be available on Feb. 1. It is taken from a live show at Tavern on the Green, in her last appearance (which I unfortuntately missed) there shortly before her death. Reading about it on David Friedman's site, "this CD is filled with radiant, joyful, gorgeously sung performances, as well as charming, funny, often-touching patter. " This promises to be a very special release. More should be forthcoming.
I love all her CDs, but if I had to recommend one to start out with, I think it might be My Foolish Heart, which may be just sentimental, because it was the first one that I heard. Her Sondheim medley is so packed full of emotion it leaves me breathless. Another favorite CD is Just in Time for Christmas, and even though we're about two weeks too late, it's still worth a listen (my favorites are All Those Christmas Cliches and the title track). And then there is... Never mind, just get them all. Trust me on this.
posted by Rich Russell at
8:28 AM
1 Comments:
Just a note that the new CD is available at David Friedman's website now and from stores (including Amazon.com) on Feb. 1. I heard a track ("I didn't know what time it was") on Jonathan Schwartz's show on WNYC and it was beautiful, and heartbreaking.
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