Cabaret Scenes CD Review

The juggernaut continues. Nine time MAC award winner Karen Mason is currently appearing as the deliciously vicious Velma von Tussle in Hairspray, her latest Broadway foray. She also kicked off spring with a wildly successful run at the Metropolitan Room. The latter was to celebrate the Zevely Records release of her sixth album, Right Here/Right Now.

Dedicated to the memory of her beloved father, this collection of eclectic gems is a tribute in more ways than one. Long one of cabaret’s most acclaimed stars, Mason illuminates every song with her unique brand of vocal artistry and raw emotionalism that few can match. The album, produced and mixed by her husband Paul Rolnick, includes musical theater staples such as Kander and Ebb’s “All That Jazz,” Sondheim’s “Being Alive,” Styne, Comden and Green’s “Make Someone Happy” and Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s “As If We Never Said Goodbye.” The latter being from Sunset Boulevard in which she covered the role of Norma Desmond for all the Broadway divas and went on over 200 times (to wide acclaim.) It is her only recording of the thunderbolt show stopper.

Other selections are lifted directly from the American songbook: “Look To the Silver Lining” (Kern-DaSylva) and “Get Happy” (Arlen-Koehler) as well as beloved pop mainstays, “Secret Love” (Fain-Webster) and “Everything Old Is New Again” (Allen.)

All cuts are interpreted with Mason’s full-tilt ferocity belt that suggests a roaring lioness or with a veneer of vulnerability that is simple and pure. Too, she has a rich vibrato that recalls a crying cello. Her vocal prowess knows no bounds. And, after two decades of performing, Karen Mason remains more effective than ever.

While the aforementioned tuners rank as serious highlights, it is the addition of two brand new romantic songs, both written by Paul Rolnick, that stand out above all others: “Like the Heavens Hold the Stars” (with the late Dick Gallagher on piano) and “Right Here/Right Now,” the albums title cut. These uplifting, heart-wrenching ballads of love, written for her, stand out on this special disc. Rolnick is an under-appreciated songwriter who deserves more attention and has written some memorable gems worthy of reaching a wider audience. In Mason, he has the perfect vehicle to get the attention he deserves.

For fun, Mason executes “Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend” (Styne-Robin) with a sassy spin that is fun and fickle. The album is an easy listen filled with treasures that prove what all the Mason-madness fuss is about. Christopher Denny outdoes himself as musical director conducting the impressive band.

John Hoglund
Cabaret Scenes
July/August 2008
www.cabaretscenes.org



	Karen Mason Right Here/Right Now Zevely Records
The juggernaut continues. Nine time MAC award winner Karen Mason is currently appearing as the deliciously vicious Velma von Tussle in Hairspray, her latest Broadway foray. She also kicked off spring with a wildly successful run at the Metropolitan Room. The latter was to celebrate the Zevely Records release of her sixth album, Right Here/Right Now. Dedicated to the memory of her beloved father, this collection of eclectic gems is a tribute in more ways than one. Long one of cabaret’s most acclaimed stars, Mason illuminates every song with her unique brand of vocal artistry and raw emotionalism that few can match. The album, produced and mixed by her husband Paul Rolnick, includes musical theater staples such as Kander and Ebb’s “All That Jazz,” Sondheim’s “Being Alive,” Styne, Comden and Green’s “Make Someone Happy” and Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s “As If We Never Said Goodbye.” The latter being from Sunset Boulevard in which she covered the role of Norma Desmond for all the Broadway divas and went on over 200 times (to wide acclaim.) It is her only recording of the thunderbolt show stopper. Other selections are lifted directly from the American songbook: “Look To the Silver Lining” (Kern-DaSylva) and “Get Happy” (Arlen-Koehler) as well as beloved pop mainstays, “Secret Love” (Fain-Webster) and “Everything Old Is New Again” (Allen.) All cuts are interpreted with Mason’s full-tilt ferocity belt that suggests a roaring lioness or with a veneer of vulnerability that is simple and pure. Too, she has a rich vibrato that recalls a crying cello. Her vocal prowess knows no bounds. And, after two decades of performing, Karen Mason remains more effective than ever. While the aforementioned tuners rank as serious highlights, it is the addition of two brand new romantic songs, both written by Paul Rolnick, that stand out above all others: “Like the Heavens Hold the Stars” (with the late Dick Gallagher on piano) and “Right Here/Right Now,” the albums title cut. These uplifting, heart-wrenching ballads of love, written for her, stand out on this special disc. Rolnick is an under-appreciated songwriter who deserves more attention and has written some memorable gems worthy of reaching a wider audience. In Mason, he has the perfect vehicle to get the attention he deserves. For fun, Mason executes “Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend” (Styne-Robin) with a sassy spin that is fun and fickle. The album is an easy listen filled with treasures that prove what all the Mason-madness fuss is about. Christopher Denny outdoes himself as musical director conducting the impressive band. John Hoglund Cabaret Scenes July/August 2008 www.cabaretscenes.org