To borrow a favorite, if too summarily dismissive, quote from the charmingly (to some) airily insensitive Simon Cowell: “Karaoke.” Not that she does anything unforgiveably wrong any-where on this CD. As a matter of fact, after the first two songs wherein I neither for a minute believe she is “rockin’” nor “feels pretty,” Sarah DeLeo gets a grip and settles in to give creditable renditions of “I’m in Heaven Tonight” (which she handles with great restraint, fine phrasing and, excuse me, soulful and sensitive back-up and which begs so for a pairing with Karen Chandler’s “Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me” (there being a shadow melodic overlap), and “No Moon at All.” Alas, back to a frenetic jazz misinterpretation of “On the Street Where You Live,” all rushed with so many syllables crammed helter skelter with no possibility of logical conveyance of meaning.

Despite all my carping, this uneven set ends with “You’re Getting to Be a Habit With Me,” DeLeo in total lyrical understanding and control, with a beautiful complementing riff by Jay Collins on sax.

Noah Tree
Cabaret Scenes
September 2009
www.cabaretscenes.org