Cathy Glickman
1978—The Year That Changed My World
Davenport’s, Chicago, IL, November 3, 2019
Reviewed by Carla Gordon
Many of us remember key times in life through the songs that were played at those times. For singers, this is especially so. Cathy Glickman’s 1978—The Year That Changed My World, is a highly personal journey. Because 1978 represented Glickman’s high school years, opening with a medley of selections from Grease set the tone well, (Ah, those summer nights.) Glickman’s voice is strong and at times, soulful. The most reflective and powerful moment in the show was her thoughtful rendition of Carly Simon’s “That’s The Way I Always Heard It Should Be.” That she preceded it with discussion of her own parents’ divorce showed her vulnerable side. Guest Tom Michael joined Glickman for a well delivered duet of “The Last Time I Felt Like This” (Marvin Hamlisch/Marilyn and Alan Bergman). She shared the high school junior’s angst over landing that right boy with “Take a Chance on Me” paired with “If I Can’t Have You.” That these songs have similar musical sensibility made for a seamless pairing. Glickman brought the audience into the show singing the ending chorus of a well-delivered, “The Gambler.” She brought a rich thrum to “Hotel California” that was well enhanced by Irwin Berkowitz’s percussion. “Nobody Does’ It Better” was introduced from a grownup point of view about discovering—in 198— the “right guy” for then and now. Closing with “This Only Happens When I Sing (by Rick Jensen) and “I Gotta Sing“ (Queenie) conveyed to the audience Glickman’s passion.
