Barbara Fasano
Busy Being Free
Birdland, NYC, December 10, 2015
Reviewed by Ron Forman for Cabaret Scenes
The phrase “busy being free,” borrowed from Joni Mitchell’s song “Cactus Tree,” is the title of Barbara Fasano’s latest recording; but it also, in its simplicity, describes the complexities of love and the circles we all swirl within, the theme of the CD, and Fasano’s show at Birdland. Fasano’s beauty and voice make her a delight to watch and listen to.
Although I am always hesitant to write that a vocalist sounds like another, to say that Fasano’s voice is reminiscent of Lena Horne’s is meant as a high compliment. Fasano’s facial expressions, arm and hand movements are remarkably expressive and always are a major part of the story that she tells in every number. As the show was in some sense autobiographical, it was not surprising that five of the songs had female lyricists.
Fasano opened with a soft and slow “It Never Was You” that led into “Where or When.” She remarked that “Cactus Tree” was her mantra at age 21, and the feeling that she displayed when performing the number, showed that the lyric is still an important part of her existence. Musical Director John di Martino’s piano solo aided in the fun of Fasano’s homage to Lena Horne with “Surrey with the Fringe on Top.” Before singing “But Beautiful,“ the elegantly dressed Fasano told the amusing story of an early-in-her-career appearance and how she was dressed. Sometime later, running into Julie Wilson at Rainbow and Stars, Wilson told her “not to appear in gym clothes.” A highlight of the performance was a very emotional “Remind Me” performed with just di Martino on piano. Fasano’s arms and hands made the “The Eagle and Me” a visual delight.
She closed with a sexy, single entendre number by Nellie Lutcher, “Hurry on Down,” before returning for her encore, Philip Springer and Carolyn Leigh’s “(How Little It Matters) How Little We Know.”