The inaugural season of San Francisco’s new cabaret jewel couldn’t be off to a more spectacular start. With each successive act, the Rrazz Room has presented the very finest performers in a wide spectrum of styles and now the legendary songwriting team of Nickolas Ashford & Valerie Simpson have set their mark with a heartwarming, soul stirring, dancing in the aisles evening.

The couple have been around the block a few times, having written hit song after song since the Ray Charles1966 hit
"Let’s Go Get Stoned." They still look and sound sensational and they brought down the house with a combination of oldies, R&B, soul, a disco remix and a few in-the-works songs from their upcoming musical adaptation of E. Lynn Harris’ best-selling black, gay coming of age story "The Invisible Life."

Ashford & Simpson made a career out of penning some fabulous songs for the R&B icons Tammi Terrell, Marvin Gaye, Ray Charles, Diana Ross and Chaka Khan. Hits like "Its Much Deeper," "Is It Still Good To Ya" and ‘"Found a Cure" are still fresh and vibrant. Nick’s ability to switch between falsetto and husky growl and Valerie’s sexy delivery highlight each number. ‘"I’m Every Woman," "Ain’t No Mountain High Enough," "Your’e All I Need" and "Solid" alone place this duo in the forefront of popular music. Their show is a testament to perseverance, talent and best of all – love. 

Ashford & Simpson continue 8 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; 7 p.m. Sunday; closing May 18

Steve Murray
Cabaret Scenes
May 8, 2008
www.cabaretscenes.org