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Album Review of Kristin Chenoweth’s ‘For the Girls’

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Barneys New York Could Close Down All Its Stores: Reports

Luxury retailer Barneys New York could close all of its locations around the United States. ABC7, in reporting on the development on Oct. 17, said the retailer initially said it would shutter some 15 stores and leave seven open. However, all 22 stores may close, the station said. That includes the flagship store in Manhattan and one in Beverly Hills, California. Fox5 New York, meanwhile, reported that the chain, which opened in 1923, will close if it can’t find a buyer by Thursday, Oct. 24. Barneys retail store in East Midtown Manhattan, New York, Nov. 20, 2013. (Samira Bouaou/Epoch Times)“Like many in our industry, Barneys New York’s financial position has been dramatically impacted by the challenging retail environment and rent structures that are excessively high relative to market demand,” said…

Kristin Chenoweth's new album.

Kristin Chenoweth is a star of Broadway (a Tony winner for “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown” and nominee for “Wicked”) and television (an Emmy winner for “Pushing Daisies” and a nominee for “Glee”). She is also a successful recording artist.

Chenoweth’s latest CD, “For the Girls” (on Concord Records) is a tribute to the women singers who inspired her. She has said that the album is also her response to the current political climate and an expression of female empowerment.

The singers represent a variety of styles and Chenoweth does not try to imitate them but to place her own stamp on the material.

The opening track is “The Way We Were” (a tip of the hat to Barbra Streisand) and is a lovely performance, both by the singer as well as the instrumental backing. The album’s tasteful producer is Steve Terell, a fine singer in his own right.

“It Doesn’t Matter Any More” is a Paul Anka song he wrote for Buddy Holly. One of the artists who recorded it was the sublime Eva Cassidy, who died at an early age in obscurity. Her recordings were released posthumously. One of Chenoweth’s aims is to generate interest in some of these singers, who may be unknown to some of the listeners.

Eydie Gorme (“I Wanna Be Around”) is another singer who will probably be known primarily by older listeners.

“What a Difference a Day Makes” was a hit for Dinah Washington. Chenoweth’s style bears no resemblance to Washington’s jazz/blues style and sounds a bit bland by comparison.

“When I Fall in Love” is a good choice for Doris Day, who is better known for the ghastly “Que Sera Sera.”

Chenoweth is perfectly in synch with the country sound, as she demonstrates on the Patsy Cline hit “Crazy.”

“The Man that Got Away” is somewhat lacking in the passion Judy Garland imparted to the song in “A Star is Born.” Oddly, the best version next to Garland’s may be the one by Frank Sinatra, who of course altered lyric’s gender.

“I Will Always Love You” is a sublime duet with the composer of the song, Dolly Parton.

The female empowerment theme becomes more explicit with the Leslie Gore hit, “You Don’t Own Me,” a duet with Ariana Grande.

Chenoweth and her guest stars Reba McEntire and Jennifer Hudson cut loose on an exhilarating “I’m a Woman” (memorably recorded by Peggy Lee in 1963). Incidentally, the song was written by two men: Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller.

Carole King is represented by “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow.” Again, the lyric was by a man: King’s husband and collaborator at the time, Gerry Goffin.

Linda Ronstadt is represented by “Desperado.”

“For the Girls” successfully honors female singers from different genres while confirming Chenoweth’s place among the luminaries.

Chenoweth will be performing songs from the album on Broadway for a limited run at the Nederlander Theater from Nov.  8–17.

Barry Bassis has been a music, theater, and travel writer for over a decade for various publications.

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Driver ‘Extremely Lucky’ After Utility Pole Smashes Through Car Window

Photos posted by the police department show that someone hit the utility pole’s base, which snapped the pole, and then pierced a rear window of the vehicle. A portion of the pole was located under the SUV, and the rest was dangling between the back seat and utility wires, the photos also showed. Officials closed Salem Street from Winston Street to Lodge Drive, reported the Fox affiliate station. Duke Energy said that some 241 people were left without power in the area due to the downed utility pole, Fox8 reported. The driver wasn’t identified, and police didn’t say whether anyone will be charged. Other details about the crash are not clear. Fatal Car Crash Statistics According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, analyzing data from the Department of Transportation, there were…