54 Sings the Greatest Pop Songs of All Time: The 1960s, Vol. 2

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54 Sings the Greatest Pop Songs of All Time:
The 1960s, Volume 2

Feinstein’s/54 Below, NYC, February 11, 2016

Reviewed by Joel Benjamin for Cabaret Scenes

54-sings-1960s-Cabaret-Scenes-Magazine_212With his usual low-keyed hyberbole, Scott Siegel assembled Volume 2 of the Greatest Pop Songs of All Time for Feinstein’s/54 Below. Whether the title is true or not, the show certainly was entertaining, peppered with Siegel’s usual knowledgeable trivia, performed by a group of first-rate singers, beginning with Brian Charles Rooney’s “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” (Norman Whitfield/Barrett Strong) emphasizing the pain of the lyrics. His second number, “Stand by Me” (Ben E. King/Leiber & Stoller), also benefited from his usual intensity.

Jeremy Morse’s boyishly earnest “I’m a Believer” (Neil Diamond) evoked the hit Monkees’ version and his “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” (Mick Jagger/Keith Richards) took him into the audience. His sweet, in-your-face rendition took some of the sex out of the song, giving the it new meaning.

Farah Alvin sang “To Sir with Love” (Don Black/Mark London) and “I (Who Have Nothing)” (Carlo Donida/Giulio “Mogol” Rapetti/Leiber & Stoller) with relish, the former wide-eyed and sweet, the latter properly anguished.

Jenny Lee Stern used her sweet, girlish voice well on a very funny “Leader of the Pack” (George “Shadow” Morton/Jeff Barry/Ellie Greenwich) and on “Unchained Melody” (Alex North/Hy Zaret), which used all the richness of her voice.

Jimmy Webb’s surreal “Wichita Lineman” was dreamily sung by Jillian Louis, who was far more down to earth on Joni Mitchell’s philosophical “Both Sides Now.”

William Blake, the pop equivalent of a counter-tenor, had a little trouble with the lyrics to “White Rabbit” (Grace Slick) but, nevertheless, caught the hallucinogenic mood of the song. He ended the program with a swooping “At Last” (Harry Warren/Mack Gordon).

One could argue with Scott Siegel’s choices, but not with the way he puts on a show.

Joel Benjamin

A native New Yorker, Joel was always fascinated by musical theater. Luckily, he was able to be a part of seven Broadway musicals before the age of 14, quitting to pursue a pre-med degree, which led no where except back to performing in the guise of directing a touring ballet troupe. Always interested in writing, he wrote a short play in high school that was actually performed, leading to a hiatus of nearly 40 years before he returned to writing as a reviewer. Writing for Cabaret Scenes has kept him in touch with world filled with brilliance.