How Glory Goes

by Audra McDonald

Product Description:

Personnel includes: Audra McDonald (vocals); Kevin Kuhn (guitar); Grace Paradise (harp); Helen Campo (flute, alto flute, piccolo); Steve Kenyon (flute, clarinet, bass clarinet); Rick Heckman (flute, oboe, English horn); Chuck Wilson (flute, tenor saxophone); Bob Bush (flute); Dennis Anderson (clarinet, oboe, English horn); Steve Hartman (clarinet); Don McGeen (bass clarinet, bassoon); Al Hunt (bass clarinet); Jim Roe, Dan Willis (oboe); Mark Thrasher, Marc Goldberg (bassoon); Brian O'Flaherty, Wayne DuMaine, Tony Kadleck (trumpet); Paul Faulise (trombone); Lee Musiker, Ted Sperling, Eric Stern (piano); John Beal, Dick Sarpola, Peter Donovan (bass); Warren Odze, Joe Passaro, Dave Ratajczak (drums, percussion).

Recorded at Sony Recording Studios, New York, New York in July 1999. Includes liner notes by Frank Rich.

Broadway diva Audra McDonald can be grateful for her parents; and not just for the obvious reasons. As a child, when the classically trained McDonald was diagnosed as hyperactive, they steered her in the direction of theater as an outlet for her boundless energy. The soprano's destiny was set, as a degree from Juilliard segued into an impressive resume that included several Tony Awards and fate would quickly find the striking Ms. McDonald the toast of the New York Broadway circuit.

On her second album, McDonald continues her role as champion of young, promising composers while simultaneously celebrating traditional and not-so-traditional Broadway classics. Audra's choice of material is as surprising as the grace, emotion, and control she has developed in her voice. From familiar cuts such as "Bill" from SHOWBOAT and "Somewhere" from WEST SIDE STORY, McDonald takes chances with "A Sleepin' Bee" and "I Never Has Seen the Snow" from the failed HOUSE OF FLOWERS. From the widely overlooked FIORELLO!, McDonald resurrects "Did I Fall in Love." The more intriguing aspects of HOW GLORY GOES focus on newer compositions "I Won't Mind" and "Was That You." Audra McDonald has one foot planted firmly in the past and one striding for the future.