You have to know how to work a room. Here are two gents that celebrate the show, or deliver the goods in concert.
Taking a trip back in time when musicians mingled with the audience in the Catkills, pianist/vocalist Billy Stritch joins up with singer Jim Caruso and bassist Steve Doyle for a fun filled night of musically mingling with the audience. Where else are you going to get a “Whistle Medley” with the gents literally blowing through “Whistle While You Work/Give A Little Whistle”? The guys jive like hep cats as they take a one mint julep trip through “You Are My Sunshine” and stroll down to the local saloon on a “Sinatra Medley”. All that’s missing is Shecky Greene for the Borscht belted “Doodlin’ Song” and “42nd Street”. Have I got a girl for you!
Spencer Day shows why he’s one of my favorite current singers, taking on the Broadway Songbook, but giving personal and classy reads all his own. He’s supported by the adroit Alex Frank/b, John Storie/g, Gary Matsumoto/p, Ryan Shaw/dr, Joe Bagg/org and a sometimes string section. Kindred spirit Jane Monheit jumps in for a peppy duet of “It Only Takes A Moment”, and smooth jazz saxist Dave Koz delves into drama with Day on a glorious “If I Loved You”. He croons like vintage Jack Jones on the waltzing “One” and bops through “Who Will Buy”. He leans up against the lamppost on the dark “Losing My Mind” and lurks around the shadows for “I’d Be Surprisingly Good For You”. He can create a mood like a musical Caravaggio.