Witch Craft: The Songs of Carolyn Leigh

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
If you thought only Frank Sinatra could sing "Witchcraft," take a listen to Sara Zahn. A veteran of cabaret and television work, she has a warm mezzo with a hint of brass that proves ideal for this collection of songs by lyricist Carolyn Leigh. Zahn covers a number of Leigh's well-known pop-standard collaborations with Cy Coleman ("You Fascinate Me So," "The Best Is Yet to Come"), but Leigh also penned other songs, with fun rhymes, and in which the stories are the stars. Take, for example, two songs from Leigh's aborted project with Marvin Hamlisch, a musicalization of the teen-pageant movie Smile: you can hear contrasting evocations of young dreams in the hopeful joy of "Six O'Clock News" and the wry humor of "Nightlife in Santa Rosa." You can buy Witch Craft for the songs you know, but see if you don't spend all your time listening to the others. Either way, this album is not to be missed. --David Horiuchi

Tracks:

The Best Is Yet to Come
Medley: You Fascinate Me So / Witchcraft
When Jeremiah Can Be with Me
Remembrance
Bouncing Back for More
Ellenville
Medley: On the Other Side of the Tracks / Six O'Clock News
Nightlife in Santa Rosa
Smart People Stay Single
What Is Love Sequence: What Is Love? / How Little We Know / The Rules of the Road / On Second Thought
Sooner or Later
Medley: Come Summer / Killing Time
I Wanna Be Yours
Bad for Each Other
Take It from the Top
Young at Heart

Amazon.com

If you thought only Frank Sinatra could sing "Witchcraft," take a listen to Sara Zahn. A veteran of cabaret and television work, she has a warm mezzo with a hint of brass that proves ideal for this collection of songs by lyricist Carolyn Leigh. Zahn covers a number of Leigh's well-known pop-standard collaborations with Cy Coleman ("You Fascinate Me So," "The Best Is Yet to Come"), but Leigh also penned other songs, with fun rhymes, and in which the stories are the stars. Take, for example, two songs from Leigh's aborted project with Marvin Hamlisch, a musicalization of the teen-pageant movie Smile: you can hear contrasting evocations of young dreams in the hopeful joy of "Six O'Clock News" and the wry humor of "Nightlife in Santa Rosa." You can buy Witch Craft for the songs you know, but see if you don't spend all your time listening to the others. Either way, this album is not to be missed. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews:

A Wonderful FInd.......2004-02-07

I came across this while searching for material on Carolyn Leigh after purchasing a CD by Julie Wilson singing the songs of Cy Coleman (Leigh's most notable collaborator). I had never heard of Sarah Zahn, but I took a chance, and I'm so glad I did. She's a fine singer and her love for this music comes across in every note. I confess, I didnt know much about Leigh before the Wilson CD, only that she'd written some Broadway shows. You will recognize some of the Coleman songs here, but there is so much more to Leigh than that. There are so many gems on here, it would take too long to list them. Suffice it to say, there isnt a dud on here. My only complaint is Zahn didnt sing Witchcraft and Come Summer (my favorite Leigh song) as solo pieces. I cant praise this CD enough. Its one of my all time favs. I wish Leigh were better known, she never received the success she deserved. I'd give this ten stars if I could....Fantastic.

Witch Craft is Magic.......2001-01-26

This album really combines all the pieces that anyone that appreciates show tunes or the American songbook could ask for. Start with the focus on songs of lyricist Carolyn Leigh, one of the greats but someone who hasn't previously received a great deal of attention. The song list mixes in well-known standards with a large sprinkling of unrecorded or little known songs--nearly every track either brings back a fond memory or creates a pleasant surprise (I especially enjoyed "Bouncing Back For More', "Six O'Clock News", "Nightlife in Santa Rosa" and "Killing Time"). The arrangements are right on the mark, featuring enough instruments to delight the listner, but staying true to the intent of the songs and not overwhelming them. Finally, but most important, Sara Zahn is a wonderful singer and puts all the numbers over with style, intelligence and feeling. This is one witch's brew I would love to get more magic out of.

First time listener.......2000-11-16

I was looking for something else and tripped over this CD. I didn't know a thing about either Sara Zahn or Carolyn Leigh. I just took a flier.

This is a wonderful album, particularly for those who love the showtune tradition. There is a scattering of well-known tunes from the American songbook, but it is the new songs by Leigh that really make this album special. Zahn has warm and expressive voice and seems to excel at every type of song found on the CD.

Take a flier like I did.

One the the best Popular Song stylists in America today........1999-06-12

The CD Witch Craft intoduces the poignient and brilliant lyrics of Carolyn Leigh. It also introduces the listener to the amazing song stylings of Sara Zahn. An artist who I was totally unfamiliar with until I read a review of this singer by Rex Reed. She totally blew me away with her Passion. Don't hesitate with this one, you will not be disappointed.

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