It's always good to welcome Aaron Lee Battle back to the cabaret stage. A Broadway performer as well as a frequenter of the small rooms, he charms his audiences as much as he delights them with his singing. Although known for his jazz styling, in Dreamscape -- an exploration of relationships, loss and dreams -- Battle's renditions were more swing and pop, delivered with a compelling and infectious rhythm. His song list ran from Stephen Schwartz to Barry Manilow, Garth Brooks and Aretha Franklin.

Battle is an authoritative figure on stage, and as personable as ever. His accompanying patter, however, strayed from Dreamscape's declared conception, relying on his opener, the title song, to adequately set the stage. Relating the patter more closely to the songs would have made the package more cohesive. Still, Battle was first-class with Schwartz's "Crowded Island," Sandy Denny's "Who Knows Where the Time Goes," and Sandi Patty's "Find It on the Wings of Love."

Music Director Erik James, Oscar Rodriguez, a whiz on guitar, Paul Ossolla on electric bass, and drummer Chistopher Heinz kept up the beat and provided plenty of foot-tapping opportunities throughout the show. Kelly Howe and Joe Ardizzone helped things hum along as backup singers, and even managed a bit of scat. Michael Barbieri was technical director.

Peter Leavy
Cabaret Scenes
October 3, 2007
www.cabaretscenes.org