BWW Reviews: Cavenaugh/Powers 'Gonna Make You Love Me' Album

Not since Broadway vets Marin Mazzie and Jason Danieley's Opposite You has there been such a romantically sizzling CD as Gonna Make You Love Me from Broadway babies Matt Cavenaugh and Jenny Powers. Also real-life marrieds, Cavenaugh and Powers have an exciting built-in chemistry that translates so beautifully and dynamically to disc. What makes them different? Offering traditional music that hardly sounds predictable, Gonna Make You Love Me is definitely NOW.

The vocal dynamics are astounding both separately and together as they trace their own private journey through the ups and downs of being in love. Blending a mix of standards with the newest, most alluring arrangements on record to date, the two create a fresh, youthful electricity.

Highlights include Cavenaugh's riveting opening of Freddie Mercury's "Somebody to Love" followed by Powers' torchy "Sunday Kind of Love". Together they are eclectically harmonious on "I Wanna Be With You" and the ultimately romantic "I Think We're Alone Now".When they combine Hoagy Carmichael's gorgeous "I Get Along Without You Very Well" with Rob Thomas' "Bent", it's hard to find the point where one ends and the other begins, they blend so well. Joni Mitchell's "A Case of You", most often sung by a woman gets a passionate male rendition by Cavenaugh and Powers' interp of "I' m Gonna Make You Love Me" (from the album title) just soars. There's also a great arrangement of Sam Cooke's "You Send Me" and an ecstatic finale with Cy Coleman's "The Best Is Yet to Come".

If you are looking for music about love sung lovingly by two real lovers, look no further than Gonna Make You Love Me. It's always nice to have the old turned inside out with fresh perspective, especially when sung by such amazing voices. Matt Cavenaugh and Jenny Powers who have the vocal chops to belt out great big Broadway pop will please with these distinctively different stylings that will leave you wanting more.

All fantastic arrangements are by Matt Gould and Griffin Matthews. Gould is at piano and shares keyboards with Kendall Marsh. Gregg Bissonette is on drums, Jimmy Johnson on bass and David Alfonso on guitars.
Digital downloads are available on iTunes and Amazon.com Physical CDs are also available for purchase on Amazon and CDbaby.com

 

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