Tim Di Pasqua

Don’t Tell Mama, NYC, June 3, 2023

Reviewed by Bart Greenberg

Tim Di Pasqua

Tim Di Pasqua made casual an art form in his return to Don’t Tell Mama after too long an absence. It was just him, his piano, a high stool, and his wonderful story songs. His clothes: a t-shirt and jeans. His hair: a messy mass of curls. Somehow, he made this all work as he charmed his audience with his humorous introduction and his casually sardonic fencing with his husband at the side of the stage (who at times corrected his grammar, to which Di Pasqua responded “nerd”). He wisely used the stool to keep himself visible above the keyboard. The evening was all about the songs, as it should have been.

He offered 13 songs during the evening, all written by him, that covered the arc of his career to date. His work is so personal and reflective of his life that it seemed to be an act of love to share it with us. For the most part he kept his playing simple and direct so that he could occasionally free up one hand for appropriate gestures. Of course, on occasion, he was also able to provide lush, romantic playing when the melodies called for it. He used his sweet unaffected voice to let the emotions of the songs came through. This was apparent when he presented his first song, “Tell Me That You Love Me,” which he noted contained a theme he often returned to—masochistic love; he related it to the character of Nancy in Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist. The theme of Di Pasqua’s emotional growth provided a strong backbone for the evening.

Among the highlights was his upbeat delivery of what is probably his biggest hit, “I Would Be So Pleased,” thanks to a recording by Deedee Mango Hall. At the other end of the emotional spectrum was “Painful,” a devastating tribute to his late brother. Then, for a decided change of mood, there was “I Kissed Your Husband,” the one sardonically humorous number of the evening.