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ASO Presents Broadway Singers and Music of Carole King

2016 March 19


The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra began tonight’s concert playing a medley of Carole King’s most popular tunes, as well as music by Stevie Wonder, Burt Bacharach, Paul McCartney and Paul Simon.

Broadway singers Liz Callaway, Allison Blackwell and Bryce Ryness teamed up during the second half to sing King’s most popular songs, some arranged similarly to the originals, some quite different. My friend called some of the arrangements “hokey” and like “muzak.” Nonetheless, most of the numbers were quite enjoyable. Blackwell received a standing ovation for her rendition of “Natural Woman.”

Midway through the second half, after the band played King’s tunes made famous by others, music conductor Michael Krajewski tested the audience on who the original recording artists were. There was “One Fine Day” originally sung by The Chiffons, the 1962 Drifters hit “Up on the Roof,” Little Eva’s “The Loco-motion,” and The Monkees’ “Pleasant Valley Sunday.” They also performed hits made famous by Herman’s Hermits, Blood, Sweat & Tears, The Carpenters and a song King wrote that was The Beatles recorded on the album “Please, Please Me.”

The music continues one more night, Saturday, March 19 at 8 p.m. at Atlanta Symphony Hall.

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