Tony Award-winning composer Jason Robert Brown (Parade) blends Billy Joel's rollicking piano-driven rock with William Finn's cleverly conversational Broadway fare. Lauren Kennedy is the perfect interpreter of his music; she straddles the same line, somewhere between the winking humor of stage star Kristin Chenoweth and the breezy, clear confidence of pop singer Natalie Imbruglia. Kennedy shines on this debut with a satiny rendition of "When You Come Home to Me" and a rousing version of "Goodbye Until Tomorrow," both from The Last Five Years. Several Brown premieres are featured, including folksy opener "And I Will Follow," making this a must-have for fans of composer and singer alike.
- Wayne Hoffman - Billboard :: April 5, 2003
The album opens strongly with "And I Will Follow," a driving number about the rapture and exaltation of giving in to love. Kennedy glitters and grinds through the honky-tonk saloon number "Pretty Music," appropriated from "Parade" with new lyrics. ... Kennedy gives each song its full weight with her lustrous voice and dramatic presence. Brown couldn't dream of a better musical partner."
- Steven Winn, San Fransisco Chronicle
Jason Robert Brown is one of the hot songwriters in theater circles these days, but this CD gives the distinct impression he could make a mint as a pop writer if he was so inclined. It almost doesn't matter who the singer is, but he's lucky to get Lauren Kennedy for this CD. Her smooth voice easily moves between moods and injects meaning into Brown's lyrics. ... Let's hope we'll hear much more from both of these talents.
- Eric Henrickson, Detroit News
The CD proves just how wonderful the actress must have been as the unhappy wife [The Last Five Years] ... It contains most of her songs from the show, and she sings them with a vibrant freedom that makes this music memorable and endearing.
- Lawson Taitte, Dallas Morning News
She's a solid singer, smooth, strong, and rangy. ... The combination of quality material and attractive vocals make for a very pleasurable disc.
- Ken Mandelbaum, Broadway.com
[B]rown wrote "If I Told You Now" and "Dreaming, Wide Awake" specifically for Kennedy and they both fit the singer's voice like a glove, allowing her to demonstrate her exquisite ability to blend pop vocal and Broadway traditions.
- Andy Propst, AmericanTheaterWeb.com
If you buy one CD this year, this should be it. Lauren Kennedy is amazing. ... I highly recommend this compact disc to anyone who enjoys incredibly heartfelt music sung by an exceptionally talented Broadway diva.
- Seth Bisen-Hersh, NyTheatre.com
Kennedy is a joy to listen to, singing with beauty, power and heart, and Brown leads the band ... from the piano and even holds up the vocal of the stirring duet "I'd Give It All For You".
- David Horiuchi, Amazon.com
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