Ann Hampton Callaway
The Linda Ronstadt Songbook
Musical Instrument Museum, Phoenix, AZ, January 19, 2023
Reviewed by Lynn Timmons Edwards
Reviews of this show have been posted twice in Cabaret Scenes since when it premiered in New York City venues. Alix Cohen called it a “Valentine” in 2018 when Callaway presented it at Feinstein’s/54 Below, and it was reviewed again by Ron Forman in 2019 when Callaway reprised it at Birdland. So, what is there to say about her 2023 performance in Arizona? Let’s start by noting how Callaway and her music director/pianist, the incomparable Billy Stritch, had not just survived the pandemic but had come out the other side looking as though they had not aged a day. They were filled with energy and passion for performing before a live audience.
Callaway now lives in Tucson, Arizona, and the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) has become a familiar and favorite performance space for her. How lucky for us that she brought along the New York-based Stritch. The MIM may be in Phoenix, but it is global in its scope and has a collection of more than 8,000 instruments from over 200 countries. Its motto is “music is the language of the soul.” Callaway clearly felt that as she brought her tribute to Ronstadt to the late show after having performed it earlier in the evening to a sold-out house. The intimate concert hall at the MIM is not a traditional cabaret space, but it has great acoustics and presents an eclectic program of world-class musicians that make it a top destination for tourists and residents alike.
Callaway’s song choices varied little from her pre-pandemic Ronstadt Songbook shows, though I think she tweaked the order of the last few songs to capitalize on the pacing and the audience energy. If you want the play-by-play, see Ann Hampton Callaway: The Linda Ronstadt Songbook | Cabaret Scenes. In addition to Stritch, she was accompanied by three excellent musicians on guitar, bass, and drums. The band sometimes overpowered the vocals on the rock songs from Ronstadt’s Stone Pony and early solo days. They fit right in, however, looking the age of our favorite old rockers of the ’60s. Guitarist Bob Mann was phenomenal, and he’s a veteran of some of Ronstadt’s original recordings.
My favorite moments started eight songs into the cabaret with Callaway and Stritch in duet on Aaron Neville’s “Don’t Know Much.” That was followed by two songs from Ronstadt’s Great American Songbook recordings with Nelson Riddle. It felt like the duo had landed at home with a big sigh on “Am I Blue” and “What’s New.” The pair treated us to a second duet on “Somewhere Out There,” which Ronstadt recorded for the animated film An American Tail. A large projection screen helped create wonderful visual moments by using photos of Ronstadt and of her album covers, which helped set the tone of each song. Her eyes gave us the feeling that she was there watching and that she was thankful that Callaway’s magnificent voice could hit all the notes that she no longer can due to her battle with Parkinson’s.
Having had the pleasure of experiencing a few of Callaway’s virtual shows during the pandemic, I think her performing in person for a live audience and her being on the road agrees with her. She was decked out in flattering matching boots and jacket, styled with the perfect jewelry, and she exuded the youthful energy of Ronstadt in her prime. Now a friend of Ronstadt, Callaway showered the musical icon with the respect and praise she deserves.
It was clear that many in the audience were Callaway virgins and that they were there to hear the songs of Ronstadt. They were not disappointed. I overheard one gentleman say, “That girl has got a great set of pipes!” Cabaret fans got a different side of the MAC Award-winning jazz vocalist as she channeled her teenage rock singer and showed us her diversity, vocal range, and class. Callaway’s newest recent recording, Fever: A Peggy Lee Celebration is available by pre-order and will be released on or around February 10, 2023.
