WIDE AWAKE AND DREAMING
Rebecca’s debut solo recording is a concept album that combines her classical training and Broadway experience with her seamless four octave range and love for the art song. It features an eclectic selection of Broadway, jazz, popular standards and classical tunes played by her longtime musical director Philip Fortenberry.
The CD includes a fresh interpretation of "The Willow Song” from The Ballad of Baby Doe, a female perspective on 'Where I Want To Be” from the ABBA musical Chess and a hypnotic, sensual jazz interpretation of “Taste of Honey”.
Reviews
Back Stage John Hoglund,
“The melodic vocals of soprano Rebecca Spencer fuse with superb musical director Philip Fortenberry on this stunner of an album, revealing an artist on the verge of a serious breakthrough. Her love of the art song and interpretations of same set her apart from most female vocalists on today's scene. The album is pure ear candy. For instance, the combination of her coloratura pianissimo descant forays on Saint-Saens' "Le Cygne" from "Le Carnival des Animaux" in counterpoint over Fortenberry's bucolic piano on "An Affair to Remember" (Adamson-McCarey-Warren) is riveting. More conventional and equally superb cuts include "I'll Be Seeing You" (Kahal-Fain), "On My Way to You" (Alan and Marilyn Bergman-Legrand) and "Where I want to Be" from "Chess" (Andersson-Ulvaeus-Rice). From Spencer's starting point to the end of her musical journey, this bodacious disc revels in opulent images from an artist who, at times, recalls the likes of Maureen McGovern and Barbara Cook in their prime.”
Cabaret Scenes Magazine Jeff Rossen
“'I have always been attracted to the art song for its dramatic character and rich melodic accompaniment,' Rebecca Spencer says in the liner notes for WIDE AWAKE AND DREAMING, and she uses that connection to create a dreamy collection of songs that pick up the listener and carry you away. Combining her alluring voice with Philip Fortenberry's sublime stylings on the piano, Spencer journeys into the lands of dreams to imagine other worlds, remember lost loves and past pleasures, and reflect on what might have been or could be. Alternating between her sultry alto and soothing soprano voices, Spencer uses this mix to create a gallery of images and feelings, beckoning us to join her in her reveries that touch the heart and intoxicate the mind. Peter Eldridge's romantic and wistful title song gives Spencer the perfect setting to begin her journey of mind and heart, and the musical voice that re-imagines a collection of pop and show music in the art song setting she extols in her notes. Working with Fortenberry on the arrangements, Spencer quite obviously not only knows just how these songs sound in her head but also transfers those musical images to this recording through Fortenberry's glorious keyboard interpretations."
Show Business David Hurst
“Rebecca Spencer's been one of Broadway's best kept secrets, but with the release of her debut CD, those days are over. The CD is both a deeply personal statement about the importance of dreams as forces in our lives and an interesting mixture of show tunes, pop songs and contemporary compositions - all arranged as art songs. Spencer's voice is a lustrous legit soprano with power to burn and high notes that are jaw dropping. Philip Fortenberry's work is ravishing. Spencer's on to something and her talent can't be denied.”
Broadway to Vegas Laura Deni
“WIDE AWAKE AND DREAMING is a marvelous showcase for her vocal ability. The CD is billed as "a hypnotic and sensual recording offering fresh interpretations of sophisticated songs driven by the strength of the lyric." Spencer lives up to her billing. It's a platter filled with interesting song selections. From the dramatic Where I Want to Be, her powerful delivery of Against the Tide, the upbeat and hopeful Anything Can Happen, the beguiling I've Got You Under My Skin, or - tap dance around the kitchen floor to Home Sweet Heaven. Her lilting tones on An Affair to Remember could please the angels. She doesn’t sing the words, but vocalizes to the melody. When she is finished the immediate reaction is - beautiful.”