Lost in the Stars: Live at 54 Below
| Lost in the Stars: Live at 54 Below | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Live album by | |
| Released | November 13, 2015 |
| Genre | Disco, pop, easy listening |
| Length | 80:25 |
| Label | Broadway Records |
| Producer | Annaleigh Ashford, Andy Jones, Will Van Dyke, Derik Lee |
| Singles from Lost in the Stars: Live at 54 Below | |
| |
Lost in the Stars: Live at 54 Below is the debut album by American actress and singer Annaleigh Ashford, recorded live at 54 Below on multiple dates in 2014 and 2015.[1] The album was released on November 13, 2015. Produced by Ashford, Andy Jones, Will Van Dyke, and Derik Lee, the album features Ashford with songwriter and music director Will Van Dyke and the Whiskey 5 band. It celebrates the classic cabaret with an eclectic mix of music from the disco days of Donna Summer, to the haunting melodies of Kurt Weill and Stephen Sondheim, to a sing-a-long of Alanis Morissette.[2][3][4][5][6]
Prior to its release, "One Night Only", was made available as a promotional single through Playbill on October 27, 2015.[7]
Background and development
[edit]Inspired by classic live albums such as Patti LuPone at Les Mouches, Live at Last, and Sibling Revelry, Ashford's intent in creating this album was to emulate "a real, old-school, live cabaret recording."[8] She elaborated further on the Theater People Podcast, saying:
"My intention in creating [the album] in the first place was to really celebrate the foundation of cabaret, which is true storytelling and song married into one. When we thought about doing an album, I said 'Well if we do one, it has to be live.' Surprisingly, it's really hard to make a live album these days. It's imperfect, and I think that is perfect."
The album is a compilation of two live shows. The first show recorded was in the Christmas season, but after initial recording, Ashford went on the road with the show, adding more material to replace the holiday themed songs. Feeling as though the holiday songs didn't make as much sense in the album, she went back with another audience to record the selected new material from the road to add to the album for a better overall fit.[9]
Critical reception
[edit]The album received positive reviews and support during its debut week. Josh Ferri of BroadwayBox gave the album "infinite praise", and dubbed Ashford "The New Queen of Disco".[10] Ryan McPhee for Broadway.com called Ashford "an honorary child of the ‘70s", and said she "seamlessly blends her fantastical aesthetic with an appreciation of the vibrant history of the venue." He also praised the banter, calling it "equally captivating and unskippable with impeccable storytelling".[11] EDGE Media Network's Steven Bergman called her a "highly recommended draw", and celebrated her "knack for patter" in her storytelling and ability to lead the audience in a karaoke rendition of Hand In My Pocket.[12]
Accolades
[edit]In 2016, Lost in the Stars: Live at 54 Below was nominated for two MAC Awards, an annual award ceremony to honor achievements in cabaret, comedy and jazz. The album was nominated for Best Song (Another Time), and Best Major Recording.[13][14]
Track list
[edit]| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Overture" |
| 1:05 |
| 2. | "One Night Only" | 3:25 | |
| 3. | "Donna Summer Medley" | 6:49 | |
| 4. | "'Welcome To 54 Below...'" |
| 1:30 |
| 5. | "Love Hurts" | 3:18 | |
| 6. | "Someone Like You/Crazy" | 4:18 | |
| 7. | "'What A Great Holiday Song...'" |
| 2:02 |
| 8. | "Date With Myself" |
| 3:55 |
| 9. | "Another Time" |
| 3:40 |
| 10. | "'Miss Kitt...'" |
| 12:24 |
| 11. | "Come Rain or Come Shine" | 4:41 | |
| 12. | "Hand In My Pocket" | 5:33 | |
| 13. | "'Famous Voices...'" |
| 3:27 |
| 14. | "Good Enough" |
| 2:31 |
| 15. | "Another Hundred People/Mona Lisas And Mad Hatters" | 4:52 | |
| 16. | "'Thank You...'" |
| 1:07 |
| 17. | "Last Dance" |
| 3:23 |
| 18. | "For Good" | 4:50 | |
| 19. | "Lost in the Stars" | 3:44 | |
| Total length: | 80:25 | ||
Credits and personnel
[edit]- Management
- Recorded live at 54 Below
- Personnel
|
|
Credits and personnel adapted from Lost in the Stars: Live at 54 Below liner notes.[15]
Release history
[edit]| Country | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | November 13, 2015 | CD, digital download | Broadway Records |
References
[edit]- ^ "'Thank You, Lord!' — Annaleigh Ashford on Her Next Broadway Show, Releasing an Album and Winning a Tony". Playbill.com. 8 June 2015.
- ^ "Annaleigh Ashford: Lost in the Stars - Live at 54 BELOW — Broadway Records". Broadwayrecords.com. Archived from the original on 2015-09-30.
- ^ "Annaleigh Ashford Will Release Live Solo Debut Album". Playbill.com. 30 September 2015.
- ^ Broadway Records [@BwayRecords] (29 September 2015). "Announcing the debut album from Tony Award winning @TheAAshford. Pre-order #lostInTheStars" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Odds & Ends: NPH's Best Time Ever Switches It up, Annaleigh Ashford's 'Hot Stuff' & More". Broadway.com.
- ^ "West End Frame: Annaleigh Ashford to release debut album". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2015-10-02.
- ^ "Exclusive! Annaleigh Ashford Belts Out a Sexy 'One Night Only' from Her Live Album". Playbill.com. 27 October 2015.
- ^ "'Thank You, Lord!' — Annaleigh Ashford on Her Next Broadway Show, Releasing an Album and Winning a Tony". Playbill.com. 8 June 2015.
- ^ "Episode 52: Catching up with Annaleigh Ashford". Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2015-12-02.
- ^ "Infinite Praise Hands For The New Queen of Disco, Annaleigh Ashford, & Her Live Album Lost in the Stars". BroadwayBox.com. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
- ^ "Thumbs Up! Annaleigh Ashford's Lost in the Stars Brings Disco, Whimsy & Sparkle Back to Studio 54". Broadway.com. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
- ^ "Annaleigh Ashford: Lost in the Stars - Live at 54 Below". Edgemedianetwork.com.
- ^ "2016 MAC Awards : Nominees" (PDF). Macnyc.com. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
- ^ "2016 MAC Award Nominees Announced; Ceremony Set for BB King's Next Month!". Broadwayworld.com.
- ^ Lost in the Stars: Live at 54 Below (liner notes). Annaleigh Ashford. Broadway Records. 2015.
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