Cabaret Scenes Review - Maureen McGovern

Maureen McGovern closed out the Bay Area Cabaret 2006/2007 series with a sterling performance of the works of great 20th century composers. And what a coup it was for this fledgling cabaret series, whose mission is to broaden the definition of cabaret. Possessing a fine 4-octave range, McGovern glided thru her set displaying her dazzling vocal dexterity, crowd pleasing between song banter and tasteful song selection culled from America's finest composers (Gershwin, Hammerstein, Hart, Arlen, Ellington, Rodgers and Porter).

Those who thought Ms. McGovern merely an interpreter of Academy-Award winning theme songs ("The Morning After" and "We May Never Love Like This Again") were pleasantly surprised by the depth and variety of her quality pedigree. In the years since bursting on the scene with Poseidon Adventure, McGovern has kept very busy with Grammy-nominated recordings, an extensive touring schedule and stints on and off Broadway (The King & I, South Pacific, Pirates of Penzance, Nine, Guys and Dolls and Little Women).

Her song selection was lovely, with old chestnuts ("My Funny Valentine," "This Can't Be Love," "Falling in Love," and "Embraceable You"), sweet ballads ("Just One of Those Things," "Nobody's Heart," "This Nearly Was Mine") to more upbeat jazzy numbers (a medley of Ellingtons "A Train" and "Caravan," and "Ding Dong the Witch Is Dead" from The Wizard of Oz including a munchkin scat). McGovern likes to slow down a number, forcing the listener to absorb the lyric and the emotional nuance. For three numbers, she relieved accompanist Jeff Harris of his duties to sing accapella versions of "My Funny Valentine," "Hello Young Lovers" and "Over the Rainbow," all done in perfect pitch.

While I was thoroughly enjoying McGovern's style and technique, I kept waiting for her to bust loose and show off all her amazing abilities in one number which she did with Harold Arlen/Johnny Mercer's poignant "Blues in the Night." An encore of "There's Got to Be a Morning After" sealed the deal.

Steve Murray
Cabaret Scenes
May 6, 2007
www.cabaretscenes.org



	Maureen McGovern Commandants Ballroom San Francisco, CA
Maureen McGovern closed out the Bay Area Cabaret 2006/2007 series with a sterling performance of the works of great 20th century composers. And what a coup it was for this fledgling cabaret series, whose mission is to broaden the definition of cabaret. Possessing a fine 4-octave range, McGovern glided thru her set displaying her dazzling vocal dexterity, crowd pleasing between song banter and tasteful song selection culled from America's finest composers (Gershwin, Hammerstein, Hart, Arlen, Ellington, Rodgers and Porter). Those who thought Ms. McGovern merely an interpreter of Academy-Award winning theme songs ("The Morning After" and "We May Never Love Like This Again") were pleasantly surprised by the depth and variety of her quality pedigree. In the years since bursting on the scene with Poseidon Adventure, McGovern has kept very busy with Grammy-nominated recordings, an extensive touring schedule and stints on and off Broadway (The King & I, South Pacific, Pirates of Penzance, Nine, Guys and Dolls and Little Women). Her song selection was lovely, with old chestnuts ("My Funny Valentine," "This Can't Be Love," "Falling in Love," and "Embraceable You"), sweet ballads ("Just One of Those Things," "Nobody's Heart," "This Nearly Was Mine") to more upbeat jazzy numbers (a medley of Ellingtons "A Train" and "Caravan," and "Ding Dong the Witch Is Dead" from The Wizard of Oz including a munchkin scat). McGovern likes to slow down a number, forcing the listener to absorb the lyric and the emotional nuance. For three numbers, she relieved accompanist Jeff Harris of his duties to sing accapella versions of "My Funny Valentine," "Hello Young Lovers" and "Over the Rainbow," all done in perfect pitch. While I was thoroughly enjoying McGovern's style and technique, I kept waiting for her to bust loose and show off all her amazing abilities in one number which she did with Harold Arlen/Johnny Mercer's poignant "Blues in the Night." An encore of "There's Got to Be a Morning After" sealed the deal. Steve Murray Cabaret Scenes May 6, 2007 www.cabaretscenes.org

Maureen McGovern

Commandants BallroomSan Francisco, CA

Commandants Ballroom
San Francisco, CA