Singers
Marin Mazzie and
Jason Danieley are not only both veterans of many Broadway musicals and duo performances in concert settings, but they are also married to one another. Their first recording together covers a wide variety of music that has been sung on-stage over the decades. They restore the frequently omitted verse to
Fats Waller's "Honeysuckle Rose" (a common sin among jazz vocalists) and interact with one another as they make the most of
Andy Razaf's playful lyrics, backed by pianist
David Loud's swinging accompaniment. The musical backing is expanded to include a small orchestra for a medley of favorites by
Harold Arlen, culminating in an enchanting interpretation of "That Old Black Magic." They also have a lot of fun with a romp through "Nellie the Nudist Queen." The couple chooses less familiar works from
Stephen Sondheim's vast songbook, interacting as if they are on-stage instead of in the studio for an audience consisting of musicians and technicians. Both vocalists are in great form throughout these sessions. It is disappointing that the individual musicals that featured each of these songs are not mentioned anywhere within the CD booklet, but this omission should not detract from this outstanding release.