CHICAGO - MIDWEST CABARET REVIEWS

MICHAEL KERKER TALKS WITH
AMANDA MC BROOM AND LARI WHITE

Reported by Carla Gordon

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The Second Johnny Mercer Power of the American Popular Song Festival at Evanston's Northwestern University, featured Michael Kerker, ASCAP (http://www.ascap.com/ ) Vice President of Musical Theatre, hosting an evening of music and conversation with singer/songwriters Lari (rhymes with starry) White and Amanda Mc Broom.

Kerker asks good questions. When asked about being introduced as "women songwriters, Mc Broom and White responded differently." Mc Broom appreciates participating in the "pantheon of women songwriters," including the late Dorothy Fields (elected to the Songwriters' Hall of Fame back when women songwriters were virtually non existent). In contrast, White seeks the obsolescence of the phrase "women songwriters" when women songwriters ultimately flourish equally with their male colleagues.

Of course, the original tunes were the stars of the evening. In "Putting Things Away", Mc Broom offers more than dislike for stowing the laundry and the groceries. While she engages with the prosaic, Mc Broom takes us deeper: It is even harder to put away our emotional baskets and bags than it is to shelve the contents from those Piggly Wigglys sacks.

Beckie Menzie accompanied Ms. Mc Broom. Although McBroom brings solid vocal chops, her interpretations are conversational. (Mc Broom confesses that she can stomach another singer flubbing a note in one of her songs while she cringes if the singer misses a word.) Mc Broom's accompanist must allow time for the dialogue to land. Menzie, a singer/songwriter herself, provided correctly understated support.

In "Minor Changes" White asks her beloved for a few changes (okay, not so few and not so minor). The requests become less superficial as the song unfurls. Although she reassures the target of proposed improvements how her love is sincere, it's funny. But we also get the song's truth: We may fall in love with someone who's character touches us, but who's habits irritate.

White discusses her grandfather, a minister in the "Primitive Baptist" church as she introduces "Lead Me Not." We all participate in that internal debate: being "good" versus fulfilling our desires. In consummation, this bible quoting tune leads us where we wanted to go:

"Now you're a good lookin' thing, and that must be the best
Proposition that I've had all day
But there's no need for subtlety, darlin', just get thee
Behind me and I'll show you the way."

Kerker's final question sparked discussion of songwriting's kernel. He asked both Mc Broom and White for a closing song rooted in specific personal experience while simultaneously emotionally accessible to a larger audience. White chose "Bare" (composer credits shared with husband Chuck Cannon) "Bare" begins as a journey of sexual intimacy but is ultimately about emotional trust. It is a powerful song with spare wordsmithing, yet complex layers.

Mc Broom, introducing "Mama" reveals seeing her late mother's spirit at the foot of her bed. Having lost her mother at age thirteen, Mc Broom had dismissed the depth of the loss. The dignified Miss Mc Broom exposes wounds, ultimately wailing for more time with "Mama". Her tale, of course, is as personal as can be. Nevertheless, anyone having lost someone he or she needs travels alongside Amanda.

The format of this program combining interview and performance captured each aspect with humor and heart. In cabaret, listener, songwriter, and singer form a near sacred chain. When singer and songwriter is the same person, that chain remains strong.

The Second Johnny Mercer Power of the American Popular Song Festival (http://www.amtp.northwestern.edu/mercer.html ) was held August 18th to 24th, 2007 at the NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATIONS, 1949 Campus Drive
Evanston, IL.

ASCAP: the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (http://www.ascap.com/ ) can be contacted at ASCAP Member Services, One Lincoln Plaza, New York, NY 10023

 

Copyright, 2007 by Carla Gordon

 

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