REVIEW: IDINA MENZEL’S BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER IS EVERYTHING MUSIC NEEDS RIGHT NOW
Originally published for Affinity Magazine on 9/7/2018
On Thursday, Idina Menzel announced that she would be releasing a live album, idina: live, on October 5th via her instagram story, and subsequently posted about it on all her social media channels, also announcing the pre-order will begin Friday, September 7th, prior to joining Josh Groban on his Bridges tour.
With the album’s pre-order, Ms. Menzel released the studio version of her cover of Simon and Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water", which she and her band recorded in New Orleans when she was on tour in the summer of 2017, where she originally performed the song on stage for the first time, and still, the studio recording is equally, if not more so, breathtaking.
Using more soulful instrumentals in comparison to the folksy instrumentals of the Simon and Garfunkel version, and clearly pulling musical and vocal influence from the late Aretha Franklin, who Menzel has cited as her "idol" and as the "greatest singer ever", Menzel shows off her vocal agility and finesse. She moves through standard soul runs and masterfully navigates her extensive range effortlessly and seamlessly, proving once again that she is one of the most skilled vocalists of her generation.
Including her vocal prowess, Menzel brings an incredible amount of power and emotion to every single note she sings. She approaches them with intention--it's not just about the vocal acrobatics that she can masterfully perform; it's about the way she can make her audience feel--which is what makes her one of the greatest artists alive today.
Idina Menzel represents everything an artist should want to be: someone who can leave a listener speechless through phrasing, finesse, and intention alone. This level of artistry profoundly provides a deeper connection not only to oneself but to the world.
Listen to the cover on your preferred music platform here!
Image Credit:
https://www.facebook.com/IdinaMenzel/photos/p.10158642481719616/1015
