Warmly greeted by fans, Joelle Lurie stepped into the spotlight and presented a program from the alternatively familiar (the Gershwins, Cole Porter) to the unfamiliar (Bjork, Sia) songwriters. Her attention to the lyrics invested the lyrics with the care and understanding they deserve but do not always receive. There was an ease with all the songs she sang, an obvious reflection of her affection for the material.

Ms. Lurie studied opera in Italy and at Indiana University, jazz in Boston, and appeared at the Apollo Theater in Harlem—a professional background as diverse as her program. While studying in Boston, she stocked her larder by brightening local radio and TV ads with jingles.

A spirited version of "This Time Tomorrow" (the Kinks) opened the show, folllowed by a Gershwin medley of a full-throated and punchy "I Was Doing All Right," a lilting and sweet "Someone to Watch Over Me" and "Love Is Here to Stay" featured a scat chorus. Porter's "You're the Top" was a success.

The less familiar songs—Matt Van Brink/Nanette DeWester's "I Don't Want to Love You," "Completely Different Place" (Benj Pasek and Chris Cooley) and "Day Too Soon" (Samuel Ronald Dixon/Sia Kate Furler)—all exhibited sophisticated, poetic lyrics of real relationships, some sad and some joyous and all enjoyable.

Lurie's instrumentalists included her musical director, Matt Van Brink on piano, Bob Bowen on bass and Conor Mehan on drums. Claire Bryant and her cello played for three songs, adding a pleasant depth to the music.

Seymour Spilka
Cabaret Scenes
September 10, 2009
www.cabaretscenes.org