Artist : Cyndi Lauper Album : At Last (Sony Music)

An all-cover record sometimes serves as nothing more than an education for today's generation in exposing them to great works from the past.

In that case, Cyndi Lauper makes a pretty good teacher on her latest album, with her excellent, underrated voice shining through on all the tracks.

In a generally somber mood, Lauper makes a good interpretation of eclectic standards, from Edith Piaf tunes of La Vie En Rose and Hymn to Love, to classics from Smokey Robinson's (You've Really Got a Hold on Me), Aretha Franklin (Until You Come Back to Me) and Etta James (At Last).

The songs are neatly arranged, with piano and orchestration highlighting numbers that are not a radical overhaul of the originals, except for the upbeat, ska-styling version of Louis Armstrong's On the Sunny Side of the Street.

Does it make for a good album? Yes. Is it enjoyable? Quite. Still, while it show the poised and sensitive side of Lauper, one could not help but miss the wacky and exuberant songstress that we know so well.

-- Hera Diani