CHICAGO
- MIDWEST CABARET REVIEWS
KLASSIC
KAT' IS TAYLOR MADE
KAT' TAYLOR AT DAVENPORTS
Reviewed
by Carla Gordon
In
Klassic Kat, presented at Davenport's Piano Bar and Cabaret, musical
theater and cabaret artist Kat' Taylor presents a delightful potpourri
of musical genres.
Taylor has long been respected for her elegant, sophisticated
approach to cabaret. Her outstanding vocal range travels seamlessly
from operatic heights to a sensuous purr; yet she is self-indulgent
in neither realm. Taylor, who joyfully proclaimed her grandmother
status on Davenport's stage, looked better in the sparkling, spaghetti-strapped
black sheath dress with the embroidered flowers than any other grandma
I can think of.
There is no ambiguity as to the sexuality of Neil Diamond's
"Play Me" as Taylor glides along its languid riffs. Other than Diamond's
use of the nonexistent word "brang" (which nettles my writer's sensibilities),
I appreciate how "Play Me" captures the shared sensuality of music
and romantic touch. In "The Way He Makes Me Feel" (music by Michel
Le Grand with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman,) Taylor also delivers
sensual messages with no touch of crudeness, yet we know what she
means by the "river of surprise."
While Taylor kicks the rhythms up in the country-blues
tune "Heartache Tonight" (by Don Henley, Glenn Frey, Bob Seger, and
J.D. Souther), she conveys its lyrical journey clearly: We humans
want to be touched and loved, but that is risky business.
Taylor also shares great fun in Jimmy Webb's "I Knew
that You Knew" bringing the enigmas of adolescence to the fore. Here
coyness lives alongside aggressiveness, confidence along with doubt.
Taylor doesn't sacrifice the truth of this song for the humor of it.
Sure, we are laughing, but we remember walking the path of unpredictable
teenage love.
In many cabaret shows, there is one moment in which
there is a magical click. The singer may have been good, even excellent
to that point, but that first magic moment stands out. For me, Klassic
Kat's magical moment came in "Colors of the Wind" (music by Alan Menken,
lyrics by Stephen Schwartz). Taylor introduced this song from personal
connection. She reminisces about camping in the wild and of her parents'
admonitions to leave every camp site "a little better than you found
it." Following this introduction, Schwartz's images become more vivid.
Taylor is careful not to preach; she merely helps us to better see
that bob cat grin and appreciate how man is to fit into the world
of nature rather than exploit it.
Musical direction was ably provided by Bob Moreen. Perhaps
because he is a singer Moreen brings innate sense as to how elaborate
accompaniment should be in specific numbers. He joins Taylor in "Chocolate
is Fine" (by D.C. Anderson). Together they clearly convey why chocolate
is almost everyone's second favorite passion. Having seen him accompany
two very different cabaret artists in one week's time, I am impressed
at how well he served each.
In Klassic Kat', Taylor stretches beyond her elegant
persona and lets us inside her spirit. She sings with many colors.
I like it much.
DAVENPORT'S is located
at 1383 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, IL - 773-278-1830 - http://www.davenportspianobar.com/
Copyright, 2007 by Carla Gordon
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