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Maureen McGovern: Sultry Songs on a Hot Summer Night
By Brad Bradley
Maureen McGovern, a versatile singer with a remarkable voice and an equally remarkable career that has spanned three decades, is currently appearing in a very enjoyable program at New York's newest elegant night spot, Le Jazz Au Bar. The venue is especially comfortable, although the sound system at Thursday's opening was experiencing a few kinks in balance. No kinks in Ms. McGovern's performance, though. Even when she realized that she was unconsciously rearranging lyrics on one especially difficult song, she made an enjoyable comic moment of it, and started anew with the flawless delivery that marks her set, and in fact her career.
This program is a particularly low-key one, terrific for anyone needing a dose of calming comfort after a hard day. She opens with a glidingly smooth version of William Finn's hardly known lovely tune, "I'd Rather Be Sailing," and quickly slides into a slightly more up-tempo piece, "Nice and Easy", which gives her a chance to show off her signature scatting style. No surprise then, that later in the program she offers an evocative tribute to scat icon Ella Fitzgerald.
Other highlights include a number of famous standards, including "Fever," "My Heart Belongs to Daddy," and, anticipating the Harold Arlen centennial next year, "Blues in the Night." The show songs remind us (she does not give herself a plug) that Ms. McG soon will be on Broadway in the coming musical production of Little Women. Another song that deserves mention even in an abbreviated review is "My One and Only Love," particularly because it reminds us how really gorgeous this singer's voice is. There is no hyperbole tolerance required to buy the promotion of this artist as "the Stradivarius Voice."
| Maureen McGovern: Sultry Songs on a Hot Summer Night
Musical Director and Pianist: Jeffrey D. Harris Bass: Jay Leonhart Running Time: One hour, 20 minutes (no intermission) Le Jazz Au Bar, 41 East 58th Street. Wednesday through Sunday at 8:00 p.m. Late shows on Fridays and Saturdays at 10:00 p.m. August 12 to 22, 2004. Viewed on Thursday, August 12, 2004 by Brad Bradley |
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