Natasha Nemergut
Tribute to Women Who Rock
Birdland Theater, NYC, September 1. 2019
Reviewed by Alix Cohen for Cabaret Scenes
Sunday night, Birdland Theater had its rafters rocked as one of its own, Natasha Nemergut, took to the stage to salute “Ladies of rock ‘n’roll and the men who pissed them off.” Bias Boshell’s start/stop “I’ve Got the Music in Me” arrived as Natasha’s personal anthem. (This performer goes by one name.) Her purposefully rowdy show featured classic, mostly 1980s songs arranged “in the style of…” A personal stamp/interpretation is needed.
Muscular, spirited, short-range vocals (alas, sometimes drowned out by the band) came from the gut. Every strut, shoulder roll and (unnecessary) sneer was honest, and her joy in performing was infectious. Highlights included a staccato, pony-tail whipping “One Way or Another” (Debbie Harry/Nigel Harrison); “You’re No Good” (Clint Ballard, Jr.) in conversation with Sandro Albert’s fleet-fingered guitar; and Jefferson Airplane’s iconic “Somebody to Love” (Darby Slick) with Natasha, eyes blazing, on tambourine. The latter aptly spiraled octaves down a rabbit hole, then, geyser-like, erupted. An enthusiastic audience whooped and clapped in time.
