The title
For the Girls makes plain
Kristin Chenoweth's intentions for her 2019 album for
Concord: she's saluting great women singers by covering songs they popularized.
Chenoweth cherrypicks selections from different genres and eras, sometimes not strictly following her own guidelines.
Eva Cassidy covered "It Doesn't Matter Anymore" and
Linda Ronstadt cut "Desperado" in 1973, but it's hard to not to think of the tunes as belonging to anyone but their respective authors,
Buddy Holly and
the Eagles. This is hardly much of a flaw, though, especially since both songs belong within the classic modern pop tradition
Chenoweth essays throughout
For the Girls. She touches upon R&B, country, the Great American Songbook, and girl groups, inviting
Dolly Parton to duet with her on "I Will Always Love You," singing with
Ariana Grande on
Lesley Gore's "You Don't Own Me," and drafting
Jennifer Hudson and
Reba McEntire for a show-stopping "I'm a Woman." It's a diverse roster of singers and songs, but the
Steve Tyrell production smooths over any rough edges, and
Chenoweth's consummate Broadway professionalism helps the whole record seem unified; it's a modern update on the kind of albums
Barbra Streisand and
Dionne Warwick were making at the twilight of the '60s. The blend of nostalgic vibes and contemporary sheen is appealing, particularly because
Chenoweth never pushes too hard: she's not reinventing the songs, she's relaxing with them, and it makes for a warm bath of a listen. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine
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