Noel Coward/Cole Porter - Let's Do It! [Original Cast] (CD)

All Music Guide

Cole Porter wrote the song "Let's Do It (Let's Fall in Love)" for his 1928 musical +Paris; Noël Coward wrote new lyrics for it during World War II when he was traveling the world entertaining Allied troops, and he kept updating them during his nightclub performances in the 1950s. So, it would seem a good basis for the beginnings of an anthology musical revue of the songs of Porter and Coward, which is what +Noël/Cole "Let's Do It" is. Actually, though, the song is not in the show, which is an immediate indication that the effort, led by David Kernan, who has participated in similar evenings of the work of Stephen Sondheim and Jerome Kern, does not realize its potential. There are some good ideas, such as blending Porter's "I'm Throwing a Ball Tonight" with Coward's "I've Been to a Marvelous Party" and Coward's "London Pride" with Porter's "I Happen to Like New York," but not enough of them. The balance of selections leans more to Coward than to Porter (of 28 songs sung in whole or in ...part, 17 are by Coward, 11 by Porter), which is to be expected for a show assembled by the British. What is more surprising is that these Coward interpreters are so unsure of his appeal that they feel the need to ham up the songs. Coward himself detested overacting, and he would have found it in spades if he had lived to attend this show. Such criticism applies to the three principal performers, Kernan, Liz Robertson, and Louise Gold (an American). It does not apply to the three "guest" performers, Peter Greenwell (a former Coward accompanist), Pat Kirkwood, and Robin Ray, who are heard from less. Kirkwood, in particular, does a good job with "Chase Me Charlie," which she introduced in the 1950 Coward musical +Ace of Clubs, and with "You're the Top." Ray gets a bit frantic toward the end of his one number, "Mad Dogs and Englishmen," but mostly negotiates it well. Greenwell's "Mrs. Worthington" and "Useless Useful Phrases" are well done. The show needs more of them and less scenery chewing by the stars. Oh, and more Porter. - William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide Read more Less