Charlie Romo
Metropolitan Room, NYC, September 1, 2017
Reviewed by Bart Greenberg for Cabaret Scenes
The baby-faced singer in the red dress shirt, big bow tie, and blue tux jacket propels his audience back in time to the swinging ‘60s. Not an imitation or a retro look back. The real thing. The vocalist brings the style and substance of the music to life.
His passion is clear. This music embodies his soul.
Charlie Romo made his debut at the Metropolitan Room a year ago, singing to recorded music.
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Now, he was back supported by the brilliant Barry Levitt Quartet (composed of the maestro himself, as well as Boots Maleson on bass, Ronnie Zito (who had worked with Bobby Darin) on drums, and Jack Cavari (who had collaborated with Frank Sinatra) on guitar. And the singer has earned this wonderful support.
It’s true, he’s still a bit too Las Vegas showroom at the start of the show, aggressively selling his personality and the songs, kicking off with a high-octane version of his hero’s signature, “As Long As I’m Singing.” After a few more numbers, he began to calm down for two lovely ballads, “Once Upon a Time” and “The Good Life,” and the real Romo began to emerge, and we could focus on his solid vocal abilities, his flawless enunciation, his quiet honesty. These qualities allow him to score with “Let Me Try Again” and “What Kind of Fool Am I?
,” songs that he’s far too young to have experienced.
Romo’s special guest was indeed special: veteran showgirl Michelle DellaFave. She joined in a delightful “You’re Just in Love,” and a Dean Martin medley (DellaFave had been one of The Golddiggers on his television show).
The unlikely pair shared great chemistry. We have every reason to expect more magic from Charlie Romo.
