Undeniably, Garrett is happiest alone in front of the band, be it the BBC Concert or Grimethorpe Colliery. Among many seamless arrangements features a delightfully schmaltzy version of "La Vie en rose" and the beautiful new Karl Jenkins composition He wishes for the Clothes of Heaven. Her take on Handel's "Tornami a vagheggiar" is frank and confident though lacking in intimacy and ensemble play. "Bel raggio lusinghier" from Rossini's Semiramide is flawless but Cole Porter's "Night and Day" sure doesn't swing.
Garrett takes her widening audience on a distinctly unrocky road. Making sure she won't have to wait too long for her next gold, she makes the noises we like to hear, and therein lies the secret of her success. --Yngvil V. G.
