Reviews

"I like her rich mezzo with the hint of smoke rising through it as if from a campfire into surrounding trees. I like her devotion to creative songwriters like Marcy Heisler and Zina Goldrich...

I like the way she blends her apparently Jewish background with the Irish influence of the man in her life. I like her augmenting accompanist/musical director David Wray with violinist Coco Taguchi and saxophonist/flutist Daniel Dorrance, resulting in a soothingly off-beat sound. Second half she simply picked up where she left off and finished with more Friedman and Heisler-Goldrich material plus a lovely rendition of the poignant Gretchen Cryer-Nancy Ford “Old Friend,” which she sang about Wray"

-- David Finkle, Backstage, January 12, 2006

"A celebration of what is best about one of the greatest living musical theatre lyricist and composer, Stephen Sondheim. Presented by Music Theatre Ireland, this was a feast of music and interpretation from Musical Director David Wray
The work was of a very high standard especially Davis who out Minellied Liza with her "Losing My Mind", and the breadth of her vocal range – her "bass" in "Ladies Who Lunch" to her soprano in "Company".

In short, this 90 minutes of musical bliss might be more aptly named "Superb Sondheim"!"

- Gordon Farrell, Scene City - June 2005

DANNA DAVIS...FROM NEW YORK
Music Theatre Ireland

Just in time for St. Patrick's Day, here's a look at Ireland resident Danna Davis's album. This attractive-voiced lady calls herself "a displaced New Yorker" who has moved to the Emerald Isle, where her album was recorded. Her experience includes cabaret engagements, concert work as one of The Three Irish Divas who tour with the current Three Irish Tenors, musical theater roles, and a BBC concert of the canon of Stephen Sondheim. That native New Yorker is not represented among the writers on ... From New York, but there are theater, film and cabaret songs by writers from The Big Apple. Avenue Q's "There's a Fine, Fine Line" is a nifty choice and two Jason Robert Brown favorites, "Surabaya Santa" and the great tour de force "A Summer in Ohio," also show Danna dipping into the comedy pool. On the more serious side, she graces "Isn't This Better?" a Kander & Ebb entry from the movie Funny Lady and Rupert Holmes' reflective "The People That You Never Get To Love."

There are four choices from the songbook of the skilled craftsman David Friedman, including a persuasive "Trust the Wind" with warmth and intelligence and a beautifully sustained last note. The terrific team of Zina Goldrich and Marcy Heisler are well represented with three picks, including the witty commentary on a woman's attraction to an "Apathetic Man" which combines a character who's neurotic, a drive that's erotic and a musical treatment that's exotic.

Danna has an adaptable voice. She can be mellifluously mezzo and has a belt; on a ballad, she can pull back and tell a story. Danna has a real sweetness and humanity in her basic sound; it's the kind of voice that makes you want to like the person behind it. In fact, the album's closer, a warm and satisfying version of Annie Dinerman's "The Lady Down the Hall" might make you wish that the neighbor in the song - or the lady singing it - were down the hall from you. Technically, she places her voice solidly and is careful with diction and vowel sounds.

Instrumentation varies by track, from five musicians to just her pianist (and primary arranger) David Wray, on a touching "Old Friend" (from the Off-Broadway musical I'm Getting My Act Together and Taking It On the Road). Especially evocative is the presence of a flute played by Daniel Dorrance on five cuts. Coco Tauguchi adds to the pleasures on viola and violin in nine arrangements.

A visit to this now Ireland-based singer's website, www.dannadavis.com, is a suggested way to commemorate this St. Patrick's Day. I think you'll like the sound of the voice you'll hear there, singing the work of some talented New Yorkers.