Sally Olson: Carpenters Tribute Concert

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Sally Olson

Carpenters Tribute Concert

The Triad, NYC, April 29, 2017

Reviewed by Rob Lester for Cabaret Scenes

Sally Olson
Photo: Ken Signorello/
Green Destiny Images

There’s zero doubt in Sally Olson’s Karen Carpenter homage that she’s studied her subject. Her performance comes across as, well, studied. Points for knowing detail-by-detail nuances of phrasing, stylings, and intonation well enough to reproduce devotionally, worshipfully, wistfully. Tribute shows court trouble. How slavishly to follow deep footprints: Imitate? Channel? Attempt capturing essences? Add one’s spin interpreting? Olson’s own pleasing voice and physical appearance have similarities to the contralto female half of the hit-making Carpenter siblings. Her longtime connection to Karen’s more fragile/lonely side include sharing one eating disorder (factored in the sad 1982 death, age 32).

Changing wigs and wardrobe modeled on the honoree’s 1970s looks, fan club prez Sally dutifully goes presentational routes, “Carpentry” often “nailed,” but clipping some notes more legato or sustained in original versions. Vermont-based Olson says this music brings her mega-joy, but seemed low-key to the point of dour, even mournful, in early sections of a two-act concert (with intermission).

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She later appeared somewhat rejuvenated.

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Repertoire was dominated by expected giant hits. Musical Director Jeffrey Klitz, while skillful, made little attempt to evoke sibling pianist Richard Carpenter in stage persona; they barely looked at each other.

Major misjudgment: Letting audiences hear Karen’s richer, extremely distinctive voice before/between live Olson renditions (pre-show/intermission recordings, frequently presented narrated archival film clips). It’s the close-but-no-no-cigar syndrome. Patter needs tweaking as some bio facts are repeated, belabored, needing to be more “thoughts from the heart” than “lecture from the podium.” She read some, even “You’ve been a wonderful audience” which needs to sound genuine, not scripted! She’s reworking this as a theatrical piece, staying in character 100%; hooray for that because it needs a director.

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Alternating between patter as historian/admirer Sally commenting and singing “as” Karen is jarring. Stay tuned because she’s determined.

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Rob Lester

2015 is native New Yorker Rob Lester's eighth year as contributing writer, beginning by reviewing a salute to Frank Sinatra, whose recordings have played on his personal soundtrack since the womb. (His Cabaret Scenes Foundation member mom started him with her favorite; like his dad, he became an uber-avid record collector/ fan of the Great American Songbook's great singers and writers.) Soon, he was attending shows, seeking out up-and-comers and already-came-ups, still reading and listening voraciously. He also writes for www.NiteLifeExchange.com and www.TalkinBroadway.com, has been cabaret-centric as awards judge, panel member/co-host, and produces benefit/tribute shows, including one for us.