Anne Burnell & Mark Burnell: Two for the Road

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Anne Burnell & Mark Burnell

Two for the Road

September 13, 2022

Reviewed by Carla Gordon

Although married and creative partners Anne Burnell and Mark Burnell are deeply rooted in jazz, they also bring strong cabaret sensibilities to their most recent CD, Two for the Road. As do these two artists, the genres of jazz and cabaret meld nicely. Anne takes lead vocal on most of the tracks. Her voice is silky, and her style brings an easy jazz bounce to “Baubles, Bangles, and Beads.” One of the reasons why Two for the Road is engaging is the variety of the tracks. The thoughtful duet pairing of “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” interwoven with “I’ve Grown Accustomed to Her Face” will touch the heart. Mark takes the tune from My Fair Lady miles from Henry Higgins’ clipped reflection, giving it a languid sensuality that makes this duet so engaging.

Shelly Markam’s “You Make Me Laugh” is an underperformed sweet tune that has wit and no little truth. (The reference to David Letterman’s staff may need an update for listeners who are younger baby boomers). “Love Will Keep Us Together” combines a pop feel with sophisticated instrumentation. The bossa rhythm for “How Long Has This Been Going On” adds more than a touch of sexiness to a familiar standard. Mark’s cascading jazz riffs add richness to so many of the numbers. There are other enjoyable tracks on this CD, including the smartass lyric and bebop delivery of “Little Joe from Chicago” and a reflective take on “If I Only Had a Brain.” Burnell and Burnell don’t need to wish for heart, Two for the Road has plenty of it.

Carla Gordon

Carla Gordon is a singer/songwriter, director, and producer. The Chicago Tribune cited her among “Chicago’s most accomplished cabaret performers….a major player in Chicago cabaret.” Reviewer Pam Peterson called her “Honey-voiced wisecracker!” Ageless Magazine called her performance as Sophie tucker, “A gem!” Gordon writes custom material for singers nationwide. Her flagship show, "Blacklisted," featuring songs made famous by artists blacklisted under McCarthyism, has toured to critical acclaim. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Chicago Cabaret Professionals and on the Advisory Board of the Skokie Theater. Her songs air on WFMT’s Midnight Special and are being performed performed by cabaret artists nationwide. carlacabaret@aol.com