WHAT’S NEW 1983

What was it like to work with the orchestral arranger Nelson Riddle on this album of standards? It was like swimming in cream. He’s just a brilliant arranger. He can put strings on a song without making it sound syrupy. I really learned those songs by polishing up my voice singing on Broadway [in The Pirates of Penzance]. Standards require what they call “the mix,” which combines your head voice and your chest voice. And the songs are so amazing. When you think of what Americans have contributed to the culture of the world at large over the last 150 years, it’s been the popular song. And those are the best popular songs.