Opening with a swing version of Rodgers/Hammerstein’s "Something Good" seemed prophetic for Paula West’s opening show of the new Rrazz Room at the Hotel Nikko, because the show went from something good to something great as quickly as her second number, a delicious 4/4 blues version of a Pearl Bailey lyric "The Goodbye Song." Nevermind the show was transferred to a small ballroom due to construction delays – once Ms. West lights into a set, all attention is squarely focused on the woman: her smokey vibrato, the attention to a lyric and a smartly crafted arrangement.

With extremely capable backup by pianist/arranger George Mesterhazy, West turned Noel Coward’s "Mad About the Boy" into a full blown production number giving a new dimension to the mysterious attraction of the lyric with her powerful tonal modulations and some tasteful guitar work by Ed Cherry. A cowboy influenced dirge, "That Day is Done," surprisingly penned by English lads Paul McCartney and Elvis Costello, and a flowing rendition of Bob Dylan’s “Don’t Think Twice It’s Alright’ displayed Paula’s love for a good country/folk lyric. West works flawlessly in upbeat swing numbers and offered "Sweet Happy Life" from the movie Black Orpheus and "Gimme a Pigfoot" as proof. The Beach Boys hit "God Only Knows," worked on a slow simmer, as well as Rodgers and Hart’s "Dancing on the Ceiling" allow West to infuse a modern urbane number with her specific soul and blues. “Westercizing” a song like Benny Goodman’s big band hit "All the Cats Join In" and the Stone’s "You Can’t Always Get What You Want" only reinforce for me that Paula West could be one of the most significant vocalists performing today.

I have never seen Ms.West so exuberant and animated, but I wasn’t surprised. She has so great a command of her material that her confidence bubbles forth. The Rrazz Room is well honored for debuting with her.

Steve Murray
Cabaret Scenes
February 12, 2008
www.cabaretscenes.org