Broadway
Chita Rivera And Now I Sing
Yellow Sound
ESSENTIAL “Sweet Happy Life’’
The first track on the legendary Broadway hoofer’s new record is called “I Won’t Dance/Let Me Sing.’’ You can’t fool us, Chita. On just about every song we can practically see Rivera rolling a shoulder, moving a hip, and gesturing with her arms like only a dancer can. The Tony-winning triple threat walks us down Broadway and into jazz clubs with a track for just about every mood. Rivera is at her best when she punches that alto voice and flirts with you on “Nowadays’’ from “Chicago.’’ As soon as you hear the intro, you know what’s coming, and the 76-year-old singer delivers the goods like a Broadway baby, complete with vocal trumpet mimicry that’s pure Chita. Equally riveting is “Sweet Happy Life,’’ evoking the Latin rhythms and steam from “West Side Story.’’ A few songs are too whispered and flat, including Kander and Ebb’s “Love and Love Alone’’ and “I Don’t Remember You.’’ Rivera certainly can handle ballads, but these lack sustained notes at the end of a phrase to keep you in the moment. Carol Hall’s “Circle of Friends’’ is a lovely diary entry sung with heart, soul, and tenderness. The album could use a little more swing to live up to its title, and we can always use a little more Chita. (Out now)
