Album of the Day 9/25 by Lora!

[lora]

Megan Mullally and Supreme Music Program
Big as a Berry
2002

I got this album at a Tower Records store while out of state. It’s the only place I’ve ever seen it, so good luck if you’re looking for a listen! You can hear a few song clips here: meganmullally.net

Megan got her start in musical theater in Chicago, but many people only know her as boozy Karen Walker on Will & Grace (although I have to say that if you’re going to be identified with one character, that’s not a bad one to be remembered for!). *insert Karen laugh here*

1. Bathroom Window
Yes, Beatles fans! I’m sure you all know this little number. Megan is such a skilled vocalist, and her styles vary greatly. She did this song justice, that’s for sure. It has a cool guitar/drum intro. Good backing vocals by Billy Porter during the chorus. It also sounds like Meg did an extra round of background here herself.

2. Ode to Billie Joe
I never liked this song until I heard Megan’s version here. She does a wonderful job and has excellent vocal range! I love the touch of piano throughout this song. That, mixed with some quiet guitar in the back, sets the tone of the song.

3. Lonely at the Top
I like this one. It’s very cute and sort of sardonic. Randy Newman is a great songwriter, and Megan sounds great on this song! Also, the musical arrangement gives it sort of a campy feel. It’s especially weird hearing Megan utter the line, “Had my pick of any girl.”

4. Real Emotional Girl
Another Newman tune. Just Megan, a piano, and a touch of viola. Simple, smooth, beautiful. This is one of my favorites because of Megan’s pure, clear vocal performance of this song.

5. Fancy
Now, I’m a BIG Reba McEntire fan. Every time I listen to this, I have to counteract it by listening to Reba’s version, which is probably one of my top five favorite songs of all time. But Megan does good with this song. The arrangement took some getting used to, but that’s only because of being used to the Reba version.

It’s hard for me to classify the style of music this song follows. The verses are sort of bluesy and the choruses have a rock edge. I could do without Billy Porter’s “whoa-oh-oh yeah” toward the end of the song.

6. My Dear Companion
This song is folk all the way, mandolin and all. Not one of my faves, but still good to listen to. Great harmonies.

7. Barbara Song
Megan gets back to her roots with this one. It sounds very much like a show tune in the way that it’s written and the way that it’s sung, and it’s fabulous! I love this song!

8. Lament
Short and sweet. Megan’s voice is in top shape on this song. Amazing. You know, I think the reason that she doesn’t get more coverage is because she’s too versatile for some people’s tastes. She has such range! It’s incredible!

9. The Grand Tour
Country fans know this as a George Jones tune. It’s interesting to hear a girl sing it. Meg definitely makes this one her own. Very honky-tonk.

10. Danny Boy
Even though many people have recorded this song (including Judy), this is the greatest version I have ever heard. Megan’s vocals just enthrall me on this song, and it’s so moving. IMO, it’s the way this song was meant to be sung. Easy and soft at first with only a piano, then building into a pained electric guitar-tinged finale. My favorite song on the album. For some reason, the lyrics remind me of Wuthering Heights.

11. Take It With Me
Another song with lots of piano. Really emphasizes Megan’s voice. This slow number is another winner, closing out a diverse, wonderful album that some people should only be so lucky as to hear.

Just a little side note: Megan Mullally got married this past weekend. Yay for her! And the season premiere of Will & Grace is TONIGHT on NBC!!!

[SAT-I need more room!!]

Nice review Lora!

Interesting that she did those covers, especially Bathroom Window! I can't picture her singing that at all. Then again, I can't picture her singing period! LOL! I just mean because she is such a silly character on the show. Then again, Peggy Bundy and Mrs. Brady were accomplished singers too.

I'll try to remember to listen to some clips when I am on my home computer. I'd like to hear those covers, including Fancy. And I know my wife will too since she is a Will and Grace fan, and Megan is her fave on the show!

[lora]

SAT-RIP said:

Nice review Lora!

Interesting that she did those covers, especially Bathroom Window! I can't picture her singing that at all. Then again, I can't picture her singing period! LOL! I just mean because she is such a silly character on the show. Then again, Peggy Bundy and Mrs. Brady were accomplished singers too.

I'll try to remember to listen to some clips when I am on my home computer. I'd like to hear those covers, including Fancy. And I know my wife will too since she is a Will and Grace fan, and Megan is her fave on the show!

Yeah, "Peg Bundy" aka Katey Sagal was a back-up singer of Bette's for a while.

No wonder Meg is her fave on the show! She's the funniest!

[Ken]

Great review Lora - I saw her awhile back on I think it was Conan' O Brien and she at the time was singing in a musical - can't remember which one . Bathroom Window, cool choice for a Beatles' cover . I remember Katey Sagal releasing a CD a few years ago.

[lora]

KenFrank said:

Great review Lora - I saw her awhile back on I think it was Conan' O Brien and she at the time was singing in a musical - can't remember which one . Bathroom Window, cool choice for a Beatles' cover . I remember Katey Sagal releasing a CD a few years ago.

I didn't know Katey Sagal had released a CD. I'll have to check into that. Thanks for letting me know!

[Ken]

Lora said:

I didn't know Katey Sagal had released a CD. I'll have to check into that. Thanks for letting me know!

No problem

[kathyb]

This sounds like it might be a pretty cool album. I can't say as I've ever heard Megan sing, but I did know her background was in musical theater. Interesting choice of covers, I'm gonna have to have a look-see on Ebay and see if I can find it.

[Dawn]

Great review, Lora!

This sounds like a very good album, with some excellent choices of covers. I'd really like to hear her version of 'Fancy' - one of my favorite Reba songs also. The Randy Newman compositions sound as though they would be great as well.

[lora]

kathyb said:

This sounds like it might be a pretty cool album. I can't say as I've ever heard Megan sing, but I did know her background was in musical theater. Interesting choice of covers, I'm gonna have to have a look-see on Ebay and see if I can find it.

Good luck finding it! It's definitely an album worth owning!

[lora]

Dawn said:

Great review, Lora!

This sounds like a very good album, with some excellent choices of covers. I'd really like to hear her version of 'Fancy' - one of my favorite Reba songs also. The Randy Newman compositions sound as though they would be great as well.

Thanks Dawn!

If you, or any one else for that matter, want a listen of Fancy, I'd be glad to e-mail you the file. I don't believe Fancy is one of the sound samples that I've run across.

[athompsen]

I had no idea Megan Mullally was also a singer. Will and Grace is one of my favorite shows...she's so hilarious on it.