I am a huge fan of Nancy Wilson. The timbre and versatility of her voice is incredible. I love the energy and spirit she brings to this incredibly unique version of this song. “On the Street Where You Live” from the musical My Fair Lady (with music by Frederick Loewe) was originally sung as a ballad by a man, but Nancy Wilson ups the tempo, adds some jazz, and makes it her own!
Lerner and Loewe: On the Street Where You Live
author: Mikaela Bennett
select author’s name to read all of their posts
Recent graduate of The Juilliard School, Mikaela Bennett made her professional stage debut this spring, starring as Penelope in John Latouche and Jerome Moross’s The Golden Apple with City Center Encores! She has appeared with the San Francisco Symphony and the New World Symphony, conducted by Michael Tilson Thomas, for the world premiere of his new work Four Preludes on Playthings of the Wind. Mikaela has appeared in New York City’s prestigious cabaret venues including solo concerts at Feinstein’s 54 Below and Joe’s Pub. Ms. Bennett joined the New York Festival of Song for its Harry, Hoagy, and Harold program, and has worked closely with composer William Bolcom for Opera America’s Composers in Concert: William Bolcom series with NYFOS. She will appear in NYFOS’s Protest in February 2018.
Nancy Wilson has tone like a silver arrow that rides infinitely out into space, and her rhythm (I wonder if Sinatra copied her and then got credit for the technique?) is brilliant not only in its accuracy and inventiveness, but also in the saucy way she launches each note EXACTLY into the pocket where it belongs, como si nada. Flippant. Playful. Joyous. Listening to Nancy Wilson sing this song in particular, such a great song that offers so much rhythmic juice, is like watching one of those people who clears a pool table in one shot. Virtuoso performance.
Wow. She swings this song up to the moon.