Gordon Macrae Sings Operetta Favourites

Notwithstanding the word "concert" in the title, there is no audible evidence that the LP Gordon MacRae in Concert was recorded live. No applause ends tracks, and the sound clearly suggests a studio recording. That said, the collection is an excellent representation of MacRae's vocal talents as applied to a collection of standards, many of them from the musical theater. Of course, as demonstrated on-stage and in films, not to mention actual concerts, MacRae possesses a powerful low tenor/high baritone, ideal for rangy songs like the ones he tackles here, including Cole Porter's "So in Love," Kurt Weill's "Lost in the Stars," Jerome Kern's "Ol' Man River," and George Gershwin's "Summertime." These are not always songs that he would be likely to sing in theatrical productions, since his race and sex might render him an inappropriate choice. But that doesn't matter on a record album, as he soars through the anthemic themes, accompanied by stirring strings. Equally impressive are such inspirational favorites as "I Believe" and "Danny Boy." MacRae may only be live in the studio on this "In Concert" album, but it's easy to imagine his listeners cheering at the ends of some of these performances.