As I sit down to write this review, I’m wondering—is anything new that can be said about Marlene VerPlanck? She has over 20 CDs under her belt, has been a studio singer doing backup vocals for the likes of Frank Sinatra, Mel Torme and Kiss, has sung in numerous radio and tv commercials, and has toured extensively as a solo artist. She’s even known (by voice) to people who don’t even know they know her! Enough said already?

No! What a lovely trip back to a time when nightclubs reigned, yet it’s not all nostalgia. Her voice is warm, with a lovely depth and beautifully clear upper register. It’s velvet and silk with a touch of scotch thrown in – maybe even just a hint of smoke. Her demeanour, sweet and warm, yet worldly. Her delivery, impeccable. Her enunciation, perfect. I’m smitten.

Even after 29 songs, I wanted more, but her show was finished, and I had somewhere else to be. So be it.

Her first set consisted of songs from her latest CD, Once There Was a Moon; her second set was ostensibly some of her favourite songs. There were so many songs I loved, but some of the highlights were Irving Berlin’s “You’re Laughing at Me” and “Better Luck Next Time,” Jobim’s “Two Kites,” her late husband Billy VerPlanck’s title track, written with Leon Nock, from her new CD, Ronny Whyte and Francesca Blumenthal’s “The Party Upstairs,” and “Save Your Love for Me.”

Her jazz trio was also stupendous – Bobby Worth on drums, Paul Morgan on bass and John Pearce on piano. They really set the tone for the night with their instrumental opening of “Just in Time”. 

For VerPlanck fans, this is another wonderful night in her presence. For VerPlanck neophytes like me, it’s an entry into a magical new world.

Her list of tour dates is far too extensive to list here, but she will be touring the UK and Holland until March 28, and then touring the US.  See www.marleneverplanck.com for details.

Harold Sanditen
Cabaret Scenes
March 6, 2010
www.cabaretscenes.org