Please note: No "song lists" distributed at the convention, so some of the song titles in these reports may not be accurate and/or misspelled.

My anticipation of the Saturday show at the convention was in startling contrast to the night before. This show would be a salute to Frank Sinatra. It was bound to feature lots of songs by many composers - and even some contemporary ones. Plus, a number of performers who I really love would be in the show. Naturally, I was early. And I was really looking forward to seeing Tom Postilio, who has one of the finest Sinatra-type vocals around.

Jazz singer Judy Barnett opened the show with "I've Got the World on a String," and "Night and Day," two numbers that Judy uses often in her performances around town. Her band backed her up, with Frank Vignola on guitar. In fact, Mr. Vignola sort of took the spotlight off of Judy with his fantastic riffs and head-spinning arrangements.

For over 50 years, Jackie & Roy have been singing together around the country, with what the program book called "their distinctive, original style of vocal acrobatics." I have only heard them perform once in those 50 years - at the 1998 MAC AWARDS in April, where they were honored with a "Lifetime Achievement Award." Frankly, I didn't get it there, and I didn't get them here either. Their two numbers, "They Can't Take That Away from Me," and "I'll Be Around," were just a tad uninspired. Perhaps they are part of the new "lounge" movement in music - I don't get that, either.

In a marked contrast, Teri Lynn Paul's two songs were impassioned and thrilling. "I'm a Fool to Want You" was so heart-felt, tears came to my eyes. She followed with an appropriate and delectable "That's Life." Truly, I have been to many Teri Lynn Paul shows over the years. I have never heard her in finer voice.

Next up was the vocal group "String of Pearls." These three gals sing songs of the forties, Andrews Sisters style. Seemingly, so does every female trio in town - certainly there must be other styles that lady-triplets can sing. Their renditions of "Come, Dance With Me" and "Lots of Coffee in Brazil," were flawless and polished. Just like every other female trio in town.

Finally there was a male vocalist to sing a Sinatra song or two! This Cabaret Convention has had a real lack of male vocalists (one night Sidney Myer was the only one listed). Ronny Whyte works across the street from me early week behind the piano at DANNY'S, and I love his work. His "Summer Wind" and "Come Fly With Me," were cool and dreamy, in a perfect Sinatra style.

Mary Foster Conklin is another one of my favorite ladies in cabaret and jazz, and she certainly lived up to my expectations with "I've Got a Crush on You" and "Old Black Magic." This lady is one to keep in eye on - she just released a fantastic CD.

Joyce Breach was a surprise guest, perhaps filling in for Phillip Officer, who was switched to the Monday night show so he could work a paying gig out of town. I was amazed that, with the great number of fantastic male vocalists around, they called on Joyce. Certainly they knew about the need for an additional singer since Monday. The names Scott Coulter, Bobby Belfry, David Gurland, Jack Donahue, and a host of others come to mind.

Erwin Drake is a fantastic songwriter - I have no doubt about that. His list of contributions to the American song book is long and legend. So is his knack of telling a story: long and legend. After what seemed like a 15-minute story that was heavy on detail and light on meaning, Mr. Drake entertained us with an equally long medley of his greatest hits. We all knew that the intermission was next, and yet we all endured this section out of deference to Mr. Drake's notoriety.

Once again I was tempted to sneak off during intermission, but Tom Postilio was still on the list of performers for the second half, so I returned to my seat after snacking on a hot-dog (Sabrettes) from a street vendor who had conveniently parked his umbrella-topped wagon just outside of TOWN HALL.

Sarah Partridge was next on the program. Sarah lives in Frank's hometown, Hoboken, NJ, and this little bit of information quickly endeared the audience to her charms, especially when she sang "On The Street of Dreams." The lady is a wonderful singer, with beautiful vocals. Her second number was "Let's Fall in Love."

Another of my favorites is Daryl Sherman, who followed Ms. Partridge. For her first number she took her seat at the piano and gave us a delightful "How Little We Know." Then Ronny Whyte returned to the piano and accompanied Ms. Sherman as she sang "The Nightingale Sang in Barkley Square." By the way, I love Daryl's new hair style, and the sequined jacket sparkled as much as her vocals.

Our second male vocalist of the evening was Charles Cermele, who shares with Mr. Sinatra an Italian heritage and a common birth-state. He also shares the ability to find romance in every song. "One For My Baby" was sung with effortless warmth, and a creamy, dreamy "Blues In the Night" was perfection.

All these wonderful singers and Audrey Morris, too! If you have been reading my Cabaret Hotline OnLine e-mails for a while, you know how much I love this Chicago-land sweetheart. I never miss an Audrey Morris show, and to have her included in this evening's lineup was icing on the cake. Her "Look at Me Now" is a classic - she sings it in nearly every show she does. And her "Thanks for the Memories" was a precisely portioned combination of love and nostalgia.

Finally, Billy Stritch was introduced. I have always enjoyed his performances, while never appreciating him as a vocalist, but singing two Sinatra tunes seemed to bring out the best of Billy. His "All the Way," and "Learnin' the Blues" were elegantly and expertly performed.

Tom Postilio? It was never announced why. He just never appeared. Same with Judi Connelli on opening night, Sharon McKnight at the Whiting tribute on Wednesday and Jay Rogers on Friday.

SUNDAY'S SHOW is a tribute to "Four Great Ladies of Song." KT Sullivan will salute Gertrude Lawrence; Paula West, Ethel Waters; Julie Wilson, Lottie Lenya; Andrea Marcovicci, Mabel Mercer. I do not have a ticket to this show - it was sold out almost immediately since nearly 1/2 the house is annually given over to the organization that operates TOWN HALL for use in fund-raising. I shall try to collect tid-bits from those were were lucky enough to see the show.

On to Cabaret Convention Sunday Gala Sunday, October 18, 1998

Back to the 1998 Cabaret Convention Index Page

Back to CABARET HOTLINE Home Page

If you would like to receive a free subscription to CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE, please e-mail cabarethotline@svhamstra.com and place the single word "SUBSCRIBE" in the subject line. Please include your real name along with your e-mail address.