During her first number at the Metropolitan Room, the colorful shawl that Barb Jungr used to accent her simple black slacks and blouse slipped off her shoulder and she didn’t replace it.  She didn't have to. “Beautiful Life” and every song that followed in No Regrets, was wrapped so snugly around her that after awhile it was difficult to separate the singer from her songs. They’d become an indivisible entity.

Jungr is an exquisite song stylist who brings unexpected readings to her numbers.  Her “Heartbreak Hotel” was an introspective experience, as different from Elvis Presley’s as ballet slippers are from blue suede shoes.  Presley’s lyrics for “In the Ghetto,” in Jungr’s hands, became a more deeply personal tragedy. 

There’s also a special attachment to Bob Dylan, which Jungr readily professes.  “I can’t even imagine a time when I wouldn’t want to sing Dylan’s songs.”  She introed his “If Not For You” with humor, “a song from the period when Dylan was happy, which we’re told was quite short.”  And, “I put Bob Dylan’s ‘Ring Them Bells’ in here because it’s perky.” Her rendition of his “I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight” brought literal cheers from the audience.   

No Regret’s collection of songs also taps into the works of Jacques Brel, who gets equally stunning interpretations from Jungr, utilizing new translations by Des De Moor.  De Moor’s lyrics for “Ne Me Quitte Pas” more closely capture the original French than the more usual, albeit lovely, ones of Rod McKuen’s “If You Go Away.” 

Charles Giordano, Jungr’s accompanist, knows his singer as well as his keyboard, providing exactly the congruous musical support her appealing voice and talent deserve.

Peter Leavy
Cabaret Scenes
January 15, 2008
www.cabaretscenes.org