Early in her set, Katey mentioned  two influences: Laura Nyro (one of the most influential songwriters of the late 60’s)  and Willie Dixon (the great American blues bassist, singer, singwriter, arranger and record producer) and it all made sense. Sagal’s show is a blend of rocking rhythm and blues, soul, pop-folk and a twinge of country.

Bob Dylan’s blues shuffle "It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry" and a sensational, haunting rendition of his "Your’e Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go"  elegantly display her roots. Her original material is where she shines best. "Wish I Was A Kid" has a Carole King sound, "That’s How Love Goes" and "Can’t Hurry the Harvest" show off her songwriting charm. My two favorites are "Life Goes Round" and "Daddy’s Girl," chock full of Katey’s uplifting life philosophy and grounded spiritual nature. She owned Stevie Wonder’s "Heaven is Ten Zillion Light Years Away" and rocked on Sly and the Family Stone’s "Everybody is a Star." She even performed an upbeat breakup song (Patti Griffin’s "Let Him Fly.")

Blessed with a beautiful strong voice, born from a strong pedigree of influential singer/songwriters, and possessing an upbeat emotional stoicism, Katey Sagal puts it all out there every satisfying moment. First time I saw her I said “Who knew?” and put her in my Top Ten shows of 2007. Deservedly so.

Steve Murray
Cabaret Scenes
April 24, 2008
www.cabaretscenes.org