Sally Martin’s CD, Another Time, Another Place, is a terrific demonstration that anything can be “cabaret” material as long as there is a commitment to storytelling through musical excellence.

Martin does an excellent job of portraying the many moods of cabaret, presenting a wide range of material. Sondheim’s “So Many People” is a tender exploration or the discovery of love, which eventually reaches the full zenith in the terrific medley of “Bill” and “My Man.” From the French songbook she presents both the Josephine Baker classic “J’Ai Deux Amours” and a passionate reading of the lesser-known Jacques Brel song “Le Prochain Amour.”

The CD has an interesting suite of songs dealing with the balance of the personal and political: “Home Boys Home,” “At the Mid-Hour of Night,” “The Patriot Game” and Paul Simon’s “America.” Martin also has a moving version of the wonderful Tom Jones/Joseph Thalkin song “The Chance to Sing.” (Interesting note, this is a different song than the Tom Jones/Billy Goldenberg “The Chance to Sing” on Bea Arthur’s CD.)

The highlight of the CD is the title song, “Another Time, Another Place,” written by Martin’s music director James Fitzpatrick. I wouldn’t be surprised to hear a wide range of singers discovering the usefulness of this ballad of hope and longing as an ideal closer.
Although she visits a wide variety of cabaret material, Martin and her music director James Fitzpatrick filter it all through a consistent sensibility so the album feels like a cohesive, complete journey. Debra Brudvig also contributes lovely work on cello, notably on Maury Yeston’s beautiful "I Had a Dream About You."

Michael Miyazaki
Cabaret Scenes
April 2008
www.cabaretscenes.org