By Esther Callens
Broadway veteran actress and singer, Nina Hennessey has taken another giant step and recorded her debut album. With A Song is the title of this long awaited dream that has come to fruition. An impeccable vocal collection of some outstanding classics, it leaves no question as to why With A Song is a BroadwayWorld.com Award Winner. It is wonderful! Nina Hennessey’s vocals are warm and inviting. She has a signature style that can easily sing any melody, range and tempo effortlessly – something that too many vocalists struggle with. On With A Song, there are 15 compositions that run the gamut (i.e. ballads, a cappella, samba). Likewise, on each one of these, Hennessey never ceases to impress the audience with a dazzling, show-stopping performance.
Hennessey opens with “Sometime I’m Happy” which is a great upbeat classic that begins with just her vocals and transcends with full band backing. “New Valley” offers the refreshing versatility that Hennessey possesses as it presents her simply singing a range of notes accompanied by a swinging jazz tune. “It’s a Good Day” and “Mornin” are literally energetic and filled with emotions that can be heard in every note. Hennessey takes on “It Ain’t Necessarily So” (Porgy and Bess) and it is just as the entire CD –Fantastic!
Nina Hennessey is best known for her roles and appearances in the world-renowned Broadway productions (Bye Bye Birdie, Cats, Dreamgirls, and Les Miserables), television’s appearances (All My Children, Law and Order) and her concert work with the late Marvin Hamlisch. Nina Hennessey has recorded a stunning debut – it has the Wow factor.
Track Personnel; Nina Hennessey (vocals), Don Rebic (keyboards), Jeff Ganz (bass), Sean Harkness (guitar), Ray Marchica (percussion)
Track listings; Sometimes I’m Happy, Girl Talk, It Ain’t Necessarily So, Tre Giorni Son Che Nina, Willow Weep For Me, Falling In Love With Love, Lover, New Valley, A Nightingale Sang In Berkley Square, A Quiet Thing, Temporary, It’s a Good Day, Mornin, Theme From Ice Castles, Without A Song.
