Let's Fall In Love
Also focusing on romance was one of 2005's earliest releases. This is her debut solo album, but Rachel York is no stranger to cast albums and theater singing. Titled Let's Fall in Love, it's a romantic Rachel all the way. The album does not make use of her skill for drama and expression of complex emotions, as the song selections are basically about being content and comfortable in love. No struggle or torch here, it's all perky and plucky pronouncements or warm and cozy time with material like My Funny Valentine, Let's Do It (Let's Fall In Love), All The Things You Are, and Someone To Watch Over Me (all from Broadway shows). Her voice is strong with a great energetic belt on a few cuts, but it's more often lustrous and luscious. The arrangements on the ballads give her room to stretch out and cuddle up to the lyrics and relish the melodic lines. The upbeat numbers kick into pretty high gear and lend variety to contrast to the make-out sessions. In good voice and sounding comfortable, she presents an attitude that love can be relaxed and quietly satisfying (the gratitude of I Love How You Love Me) or playful (revisiting Sondheim's Sooner or Later) which she sang in the first New York version of the revue Putting It Together). No angst here. Her love songs are all happy ones and happily ever after is fine by me with this pro with a gorgeous sound. --Talkin' Broadwayveteran Rachel York (Victor/Victoria , The Scarlet Pimpernel and REPRISE!'s Anything Goes ) has the kind of voice that a song standard would gladly thank, if it could. With her soaring, pure tones, perfect diction, and boundless energy, York brings class, elegance, and, above all, spirit to a lovingly expressed program of first-class tunes including  My Funny Valentine,   All The Things You Are,  and  My One and Only Love.  York also knows how to spice things up with a few unexpected choices, such as the Rosemary Clooney hit  My House,  Stephen Sondheim's  Sooner or Later  (from the film Dick Tracy ), and the Paris Sisters' early- 60s pop hit  I Love how You Love Me,  as well as producer Tor Hyams Too Good to Be True.  It's obvious that York's as comfortable swinging an up-tempo performance as she is bathing a ballad in honeyed warmth. In short, a welcome debut from a gifted vocalist who's here to stay. --Reprise!