Carolyn Montgomery-Forant: Visible Phoenix Live(ly) at the Laurie Beechman Theatre New York City

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Carolyn Montgomery-Forant

Visible Phoenix
Live(ly) at the Laurie Beechman Theatre
New York City

April 4, 2016

Reviewed by John Hoglund for Cabaret Scenes

Carolyn-Montgomery-Forant-Cabaret-Scenes-Magazine_212After a hiatus from performing, Carolyn Montgomery-Forant returned last year with her all-new show Visible Phoenix. The popular cabaret singer packed them into the Laurie Beechman Theatre where this disc was recorded live.

With the brilliant Jon Weber leading the band and Eric Michael Gillett serving as artistic director, the show kicks off with a bouncy reading of “Who Will Buy?” that has a healthy dose of belting scat (tricky territory for Montgomery-Forant).

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A lively variation on the show’s title, “The Lady Phoenix,” which she wrote with Jeff Cubeta, is an optimistic anthem about breaking rules and not looking back. The deceivingly fun song makes a strong statement that sets the stage for an amalgam of empowering themes relating to women, life and mostly about moving on that dominates the show. (Also included in the disc is their 2016 MAC Award-winning “The Mermaid and the Whale.”)

Arranger/jazz pianist Weber fronts the strong band and backup singers as it all comes together and an evening of dynamic, fun-filled and touching songs unfolds and hits the mark repeatedly. Strong and confident, her buoyant vocals, while effective and rich, complement the well-chosen material that convey who she is. While more effective on those personalized ballads, Montgomery-Forant often uses a full belt that resonates above the band. One thing is sure, whether belting or caressing a song, one can’t listen to this album and not learn a lot about the singer and her life experiences. She makes a case for being a spirited yet dramatic realist with an earthy sense of humor. That is what makes this live album so auspicious.

There are many highlights here: a unique spin on “Night and Day”; Rupert Holmes’ clever “Lunch Hour”; the steamy “Hot in Here” (McBroom/ Brourman); and the beautiful “Dance with Me” by Beth Nielson Chapman in which Montgomery-Forant includes a cozy monologue about her son and a baseball game. A yearning “If Ever I Would Leave You” is sung to her son and takes on a new meaning that is poignant. One might suggest even more intimate moments like this as she is so effective on a personal level. This is again notable on the confessional “Life Story” about one woman’s struggle and ultimate victory, which is quite efficacious as a feminist epistle and one of the album’s finest cuts.

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The band here deserves a loud shout out and is responsible for much of the success of this CD—Matt Scharfglass (bass), Rich Huntley (percussion), Sean Harkness (guitar), Jonathan Kantor (reeds)—and the Fine Whine backup singers Margaret Kelly, Rebecca Kendall, Heidi Siegel and Stephanie Thomas.

John Hoglund

For over 30 years, John Hoglund has been a respected entertainment writer covering cabaret, jazz, theater and recordings. His writings have appeared in numerous outlets including the Bistro Bits column for Back Stage. John moderated seminars and forums for the International Cabaret Conference At Yale. He produced many celebrity fundraisers in NYC including one of the first benefits after 9/11: “HeartSong:The Heroes' Concert” at The Bottom Line featuring 36 major stars. He co-produced “HeartSong2: The Heroes' Concert” for Katrina victims at Symphony Space and “Miracle On 35th Street” with a star-studded lineup. Other fund raising efforts include the first benefits for Broadway Cares and God's Love, We Deliver. John served on the Board of Directors of MAC for 12 years. He is well known for championing new and rising talents.