Jeff Harnar and Alex Rybeck
Our 40th Anniversary Songbook
54 Below, NYC, June 13, 2023
Reviewed by Bart Greenberg
Jeff Harnar & Alex Rybeck
It’s hard to believe that vocalist Jeff Harnar and pianist Alex Rybeck have been working together for 40 years. Considering the energy they put out at their joint celebration at 54 Below, that duration seems even more unlikely. But they offered plenty of evidence in a series of projections of well-chosen publicity materials (some charming, some alarming) that documented their joint careers. There were also ample stories of the ups and downs in Harnar’s life, including a stint as a Regency Hotel room-service waiter that led to a lovely encounter with Elizabeth Taylor. But, of course, the most important element of the evening was the music, which was plentiful and so very well approved by the packed-to-the-rafters audience. (At one point, Harnar inquired if there was anyone in the room who didn’t have their own cabaret show—or a Tony).
They kicked off the evening with “My Personal Property,” which seemed pure 1960s with its rock beat and jazz details playing against Harnar’s witty delivery of Dorothy Fields’ lyrics (music by Cy Coleman). Then came “I’m Gonna Sing Your World Alive” from their very first show together at Palsson’s. (Mentioning clubs that have either gone through name changes or simply vanished over the years was a constant theme of the program.) Two more firsts followed: their first cassette (yes, they said cassette), which included the Charles Aznavour classic, “There Is a Time” (“Le Temps”), and the first number from one of their partnered shows that had an original Rybeck arrangement—a delicate hypnotic “Blue Skies.” The show went from one highlight to another.
Some of those highlights included a “Strange Duet Medley”; it began with both gentlemen at the piano joining forces both vocally and musically on the Comden and Green number and quickly and smoothly flowed through several other selections for riotous fun. Harnar offered all the verses (they are legion) for Cole Porter’s “It’s De-Lovely” with the lightest of touches. He also recreated a lengthy medley of political songs from his salute to the musicals of 1959—1959 Broadway Songbook—(with assists from Rybeck), which amusingly proved that nothing much has changed about the power brokers and the voters during the passing years. From the same show came the gorgeous and gorgeously presented “I Say Hello.”
Another special moment came when Harnar duetted with drummer Ray Marchica on a dynamic “Come Back to Me.” Throughout the evening, Steve Doyle provided fine support on bass. The evening moved along smoothly under the guidance of the teams’ long-time director, Sara Louise Lazarus. Still, it was the combined talent and warmth of Harnar and Rybeck that made this a memorable evening.
