Goldie Dver
Song & Singers Sneak Peek: See You in September
Don’t Tell Mama, NYC, July 17, 2024
Review by Bart Greenberg
Song & Singers Sneak Peek, the inspired creation of cabaret chanteuse Goldie Dver, is her monthly series at Don’t Tell Mama that gives nightlife veterans and newcomers a chance to showcase a bit of their upcoming shows. Part public relations, part a mutli-performer evening of joyful entertainment, part an interview program with the host also acting as compèere, this was a smooth and surprisingly coherent production under the direction of the seems-to-be-everywhere-these-days James Beaman.
First up was one of cabaret’s premier balladeers Tim Connell who is preparing two shows with his long-term collaborator, pianist James Followell. The first will be devoted to their creating an EP with a song cycle that includes “Skylark” (Johnny Mercer/Hoagy Carmichael), “My Foolish Heart” (Victor Young/Ned Washington), “How Deep Is the Ocean (How High Is the Sky)” (Irving Berlin), and “Long Ago and Far Away” (Jerome Kern/Ira Gershwin). He delivered these with a great deal of emotion as he emphasized the yearning romantic lyrics. He is also preparing a holiday show and offered a lovely “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” (Hugh Martin)—despite the incongruous weather outside.
Next up was Elvira Tortora who was joined by her musical director/pianist, veteran Gregory Toroian. For her sophomore effort, she has planned a tribute to the great Barbara Cook. Unfortunately, her three selections—“Will He Like Me” (Sheldon Harnick/Jerry Bock), “Carolina in the Morning” (Gus Kahn/Walter Donaldson), and “In Buddy’s Eyes” (Stephen Sondheim)— were all presented at the same lowkey, moderate tempo. Although the singing was lovely, this approach drained the energy from them. The brilliant Cook offered many up tunes and swung with the best of them; hopefully the full show will follow her lead.
Things livened up considerably when Tanya Moberly claimed the stage in preparation for an all standards show coming up in the fall. With music director/pianist Ian Herman, she offered three contrasting songs and nailed the mood of each of them: “Makin’ Whoopee” (Kahn/Donaldson), “Get Out of Town” (Cole Porter), and “It Never Entered My Mind” (Richard Rodgers/Lorenz Hart).
Last on the bill was the pairing of Sue Matsuki and Toroian as they paid tribute to their 30 years of teamwork where “music is our love language.” The merging of their talents was on full display with “Bei mir bist du schön” (Sammy Cahn/Saul Chaplin/Sholom Secunda) and a medley of “Can’t We Be Friends” (Paul James/Kay Swift) and “A Fine Romance” (Dorothy Fields/Kern). This is another evening to look forward to.
Before bringing the show to a close, Dver got a chance to sample her own upcoming show, a tribute to Anthony Newley who was a personal friend. She did this, accompanied by pianist Dan Pardo, with a delightful and delirious version of “Pop Goes the Weasel,” which was Newley’s first hit record in the United States. This hostess with the mostest has definitely hit on a winning formula that is sure to build a loyal following from month to month.
