It's been several years since I've seen and reviewed the award winning singer and songwriter Bobby Belfry, so it was gratifying to have the chance again recently when he did a short run at the Metropolitan Room. Performing a mix of original material, much of which is on Live: In the Heart of the Universe, his latest CD/DVD released last year, Belfry sounded terrific. His vibrant tenor soars easily and his demeanor is the most confident and relaxed I've seen to date. Belfry really seems to inhabit his songs with an immediacy and passion other performers regularly lack, much of which is undoubtedly attributed to his personal investment in his material.

Co-written with the talented Steven Ray Watkins who serves as Belfry's accompanist and musical director, the songs run the gamut from slice-of-life stories to contemplative meditations on love and relationships. "Redemption," a gentle folk-ballad, and "In Late Summer," an introspective paean one could imagine Tony Bennett or k d lang recording, made the biggest impression, with collaborations by Mark Hartman ("Red Light") and David Friedman ("This Time") also showing Belfry's lyric tenor off to best advantage.

On the downside, Belfry tends to make the same grand gesture - arms straight out with his head thrown back, as if bravely awaiting a firing squad or ascension into heaven - too frequently throughout his set. He should remember the advice Roger Edens gave to a young Judy Garland (and I'm paraphrasing here): when you make a gesture, save it for the end and then make it big; then don't do it again! Otherwise, Belfry's easy-going personality and ingratiating stage presence are a treat. Together with Watkins' unerring musical taste, they make a formidable team and possess a point of view that's refreshing.

Belfry can be seen in Arturo's Window at York Theatre Company (The Theatre at Saint Peter's, 619 Lexington Ave) on May 21: Monday nights at VERTIGO (91 Main St, Nyack, NY; 845-358-3202) and Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at Brandy's (235 East 84th St; 212-744-4949).

David Hurst
Cabaret Scenes
May 12, 2007
www.cabaretscenes.org