Making songs like conversation is what D’Arcy excels at, with natural phrasing. Her in-person recording brings out the one-to-one connection skill. It’s not about belting, sustaining notes, or high drama. She sings lightly, sometimes talking a line to put attention on an attitude or certain words. She may take this too far with that saga of the lonely lady at the bar, “Something Cool;” it becomes almost a spoken-on-pitch monologue with the mood being something too cool, missing the pain. (It may work better in person. Live albums can be tricky.) Amanda McBroom’s emotional, regret-filled “Dance,” however, is in step and is the highlight. D’Arcy is ably accompanied by bassist Dan Martin and pianist/arranger/co-producer Rick Jensen (whose “All Dressed Up” is on the bill). Three Cole Porter tunes, including the reprised title number, are treats. And this is cabaret singing.

Rob Lester
Cabaret Scenes
April 2008
www.cabaretscenes.org