OT: Nancy LaMott

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 10/1/03 at 4:31pm

OK, I have to dry my eyes and sing the praises of this gifted woman.

Had some stuff to do around the house (finished the article, thank GAWD) and popped in my promo CD of "The Songs of David Friedman" - five songs of which one was the hysterically funny "Rich Famous & Powerful" (sung by I don't know who - there is no credit on the CD) - while the others were the gorgeous "Listen To My Heart", "Help is on the Way", "We Can Be Kind" and "We Live On Borrowed Time" sung by the great Nancy LaMott. Forget belters for the time being - Nancy sang with her heart in her throat, and I defy anybody not to tear up during "Borrowed Time". Such an open, giving, ravishing voice.

Well, I didn't get much done today except use up a lotta Kleenex!

[Craig]

Posted: 10/1/03 at 4:37pm

MasterLcZ

Couldn't agree with you more. She was a treasure and a very sweet woman. David Friedman is one of those "hidden" treasures and songs like We Live On Borrowed Time and Listen to My Heart are incredible.

Look for an upcoming interview here at BWW.Com with David in the next week or so...

Trivia.. the last cd that was released was the one that featured We Live On Borrowed Time. It's the last track and at the end she says "Thank you.. see you tomorrow" What makes this even more emotional is, that the cd was released shortly after her death...

[Unknown User]

Posted: 10/1/03 at 4:43pm

She stands alone as probably the only performer to come out of the cabaret world in the last twenty years who "Made it"...

..by "made it" I mean, who has a following that extends past Grove Street or 46th street and 8th ave.

and honey, that's saying a mouthfull!

[IssaMe]

Posted: 10/1/03 at 5:09pm

And the David Friedman "Listen to My Heart" revue which starts previewing next week in the newly designed Upstairs at Studio 54 is quite a wonderful review/revue of David's work with David himself at the piano. All his hits sung by Broadway people. It is a nice companion piece to the re-release by David of Nancy's out of print CDs and newly released material. Sirius satellite radio is airing an hourlong program about this new show and Playbill on Line will have a half-hour version.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 10/1/03 at 5:12pm

In her last few weeks of performing, she had to sit on a stool and perform because she was too weak from cancer to stand up. To bring joy to an audience while you are getting kicked in the *ss by cancer is a very unselfish act. She was a wonderful performer.

[robbiej]

Posted: 10/1/03 at 5:14pm

Any human being who could make me believe 'Surrey With the Fringe on Top' is the greatest song ever written since the beginning of time is unspeakably brilliant.

Her 'Downtown' somehow takes out any of the preciousness that has been associated with that song.

But her 'Help is on the Way' devestates me every single time.

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 10/1/03 at 6:25pm

Me too, Robbiej! No fancy vocal gymnastics (though I sure do love those too in other performers)...just pure, direct emotion communicated right to the heart.

Barry, Marc & I are seeing the David Friedman revue on November 7.

[WOSQ]

Posted: 10/2/03 at 9:49am

I have read that David Friedman has gotten "sign-offs" from her estate and now can release some of the recordings that have been sitting in the vault all this time.

These are live recordings of varying quality and also some video clips. A disc could be released as early as winter.

This is such a gift.

To quote the lady herself, "Of course there's an encore. This is cabaret. There's always an encore!"

[Unknown User]

Posted: 10/2/03 at 10:55am

We Live on Borrowed Time is one of the best songs....
and when she sings Listen to My Heart is get all weepy!
I adored her voice and her talent. She along with Laurie Beechman went way too soon.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 10/2/03 at 1:39pm

Laurie sang "Listen to My Heart" too. Talk about weepy!