John Pitman Review: Songplay - Soprano Joyce DiDonato's spin on Baroque arias

Soprano Joyce DiDonato's recording projects are seldom conventional.  Her last, "Hopes and Dreams: The Lullaby Project" featured original songs to texts by new mothers, some of whom were experiencing financial insecurity.  Her newest, Songplay, goes back to her roots as a budding singer.  She rediscovered the arias that all young singers are taught, and then set aside.  What makes these new are the jazz greats who join her, including pianist and collaborator Craig Terry.  Joining them are Charlie Porter (trumpet), Chuck Israels (bass), and Jimmy Madison (drums).  The result proves that the music, and the lyrics, lend themselves well to other styles.