Cabaret Setlist: “Lush Life” – Music and Lyrics by Billy Strayhorn

Mark Dundas Wood
Repertoire for the Once and Future American Songbook Song #12 in this running series Billy Strayhorn’s intricate ballad “Lush Life” has, I think, something in common with Stonehenge—England’s massive and mysterious Bronze Age monument. Both are remarkable accomplishments whose existence seems scarcely plausible. You can’t fully explain how they arrived or what inspired their creation....

CD Review: “Chip Deffaa’s Irving Berlin: Sweet and Hot—Rare Songs, with an All-Star New York Cast”

Ken Bloom
Props to Chip Deffaa who specializes in recording rare songs from the American Songbook. Of course, one’s definition of “rare” depends on how much knowledge you bring to the party. There are certainly some extremely rare songs on this album, some of which are getting their first recordings. Then there are songs like “Alexander’s Ragtime...

“‘TAINT— An Alt-Holiday Variety Show”

Gerry Geddes
Tweed presents ‘TAINT (cause it 'taint Christmas, and it 'taint New Year’s)—An Alt-Holiday Variety Show to benefit Pangea, the terrific cabaret that serves as home to downtown performers and the best of NYC cabaret alike.  In these pandemic times, restaurants and clubs are under duress from the distancing and quarantining and all the other nightmarish requirements...

CD Review: Rebecca Luker and Sally Wilfert, “All the Girls”

Gerry Geddes
When Rebecca Luker passed away recently it sent ripples of sadness through the theatre and cabaret communities.  All the Girls, the new CD with Luker and Sally Wilfert, serves as a heartbreaking reminder of what a tremendous loss this was.  It is also a joyous celebration of two of Broadway’s finest voices, in solos and duets...

CD Review: Kenneth Gartman “We Need a Little Christmas”

Gerry Geddes
There is an open-hearted, childlike simplicity and beauty to Kenneth Gartman’s sound that is quite endearing and a perfect match for We Need a Little Christmas, a holiday release filled with the warmth of an open fire and the good will of friends and family gathered together.  Add to that a thoughtful connection to the...

CD Review: Liz Callaway “Comfort and Joy: An Acoustic Christmas

Lisa Jo Sagolla
A mellow CD of Christmas songs featuring vocalist Liz Callaway accompanied by the quiet acoustic guitar-playing of Peter Calo, Comfort and Joy: An Acoustic Christmas may be the perfect soundtrack for what this year will surely be a low-voltage, less-festive-than-usual holiday season.  One might think a solo singer supported only by a guitarist wouldn’t generate...

CD Review: Susan Tobocman “Touch & Go”

Gerry Geddes
Singer/composer/arranger Susan Tobocman has released her latest CD Touch & Go.  It has an intriguing selection of songs that are terrifically performed and played.  What is immediately unusual about the project is that the singer created all the arrangements with an assist on two of them by David Tobocman (keeping it in the family). The Latin...

Cabaret Setlist: “Sleigh Ride in July” (Music by Jimmy Van Heusen, Lyrics by Johnny Burke) and “Winter of My Discontent” (Music by Alec Wilder, Lyrics by Ben Ross Berenberg)

Mark Dundas Wood
Repertoire for the Once and Future American Songbook Selection #11 in this running series. There’s nothing like mixing things up a little. The format of today’s “Cabaret Setlist” differs somewhat from previous installments. Up until now, we’ve looked at specific songs and the ways in which singers have made them their own. Today, we’ll check...

Cabaret Setlist: “Mountain Greenery” — Music by Richard Rodgers, Lyrics by Lorenz Hart

Mark Dundas Wood
Repertoire for the Once and Future American Songbook Song #10 in this running series. Cabaret Setlist began in May of this year with a look at Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart’s “Little Girl Blue.” I've been tempted to return to the Rodgers & Hart catalog before this, but thought it was too soon. Now that...

CD Review: A Nourishing Trio of Holiday Albums

Lisa Jo Sagolla
It all depends on one’s philosophy of music: Why do you think music exists, and what purpose does it serve?  Is it something you seek out for its power to lift your spirits?  Or do you value music for its ability to reflect and affirm your emotions, even if you’re feeling blue, perhaps about the compromised...