Deconstruction #9--Barbara Cook Singing "No More Candy" In "She Loves Me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                I know, girls, it seems like months since I have done a deconstruction, but with all the drama this month, plus other events, both past and upcoming, it has been hard to stay on track.  I know some of you out there were wondering, when, if ever, there would be another?  And some of you Theater Queens who read this have probably been grumbling about when I am going to include something with Barbara Cook!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                Well, loves, prayers do get answered--on here!

                                 But here's the thing--"No More Candy" is hardly a stand out in the Bock-Harnick score of this show.  You could almost call it a non-sequitir, but it is important in two very special ways--it is the first time Amalia is heard to sing, and, it introduces Barbara Cook's voice.

                                  Seldom has such a song introduced a singer's voice so impressively.  Start with how the voice seamlessly blends with the music of the music box.   Then, listen to the lyrical way in which Miss Cook holds her vowels-- "We becooooooooome indiscreeeeeeeeeeet, eating sweeeeeeeeeet after sweeeeeeeeeet....." --in order to remarkably demonstrate not only superb vocal technique but one of the most gorgeous soprano voices of the day.  Bock and Harnick knew exactly what they were doing.

                                  But it is the ending that takes one's breath away.  And leaves one feeling inside a church, in the presence of something holy, having just heard the holiest of sounds.  Amalia finishes the song with the words, "And it sings in you ear, no more candy, my dear/In a way, it's a little like the vooooooooooice......ooooooooof.....Goooooooooood!!!!!!!!!!"  What she does with those last three words is so achingly exquisite it just takes one's breath away, which is why this song stands out for me as much as its more standard fare--"Will He Like Me?' "Dear Friend," and, of course, "Ice Cream."

                                  Now, I was not able to find "No More Candy" for you, but here is the exquisite Miss Cook singing "Dear Friend," a song all  Romantics and Theater Queens can appreciate and relate to! The same vocal technique is lyricism is here from Barbara, and just listen to that poignant introduction!!!!!!!!!!

                                  Enjoy, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!