|
Richard Holbrook:
Richard Holbrook Sings Burton
The Songs of Burton Lane
(Burton Lane Web Page)
Richard Burton on Vocals
www.richardholbrook.net
with
Tom Nelson on Piano
Tom Kirchmer on Bass
Peter Grant on Drums
At
Feinstein’s at Loews Regency
www.feinsteinsattheregency.com
540 Park Avenue at 61st Street
New York, NY 10021
212.339.4095
Jessica Poli, Manager
Press, Miller, Wright & Assoc.
Dr. Roberta E. Zlokower
June 29, 2011
Feinstein’s at Loews Regency is an elegant Club, named for its Proprietor, the renowned musical artist, Michael Feinstein. There’s a fine dinner menu, and wines are listed for “old world” and “new world” reds and whites, champagnes and sparkling wines, and Harry Kellar’s (a renowned magician) dessert wines. In fact, every Sunday night, Feinstein’s presents “Magical Nights” with leading magicians. The room is dim and richly decorated, and the wait staff is old-world formal, giving the room a retro Supper-Club ambiance.
Richard Holbrook presented a tribute to composer, Burton Lane in this first show of a two show night, and he and his trio seized the fascination of the packed Club. Mr. Holbrook has developed his voice to a rich, rhapsodic level, and whether he sang bright tunes, like “Old Devil Moon” (Lane/Harburg), “Applause, Applause” (Lane/Gershwin), or the more mellow “Your Head on My Shoulder” (Lane/Adamson), he expressed theatricality, depth, and engaging anecdotes. The audience was drawn in to each informative tale, because Mr. Holbrook was so passionate about this music and genre. As each song was composed by Burton Lane in collaboration with a variety of lyricists, there were tales about the backstory of Finian’s Rainbow (Lane/Harburg), as well as those about Lane with lyricists Ralph Freed, Harold Adamson, Ira Gershwin, and Frank Loesser.
Sometimes Mr. Holbrook seamlessly crooned a duo or medley of songs, like “Everything I Have Is Yours” (Lane/Adamson) and “It Happens Ev’ry Time” (Lane Gershwin), sung with a Bossa Nova beat. Thanks to Tom Nelson on piano, Tom Kirchmer on bass, and Peter Grant on drums, Mr. Holbrook’s vocals were always enhanced and embellished, never overwhelmed. In fact, when he was relating endearing or humorous anecdotes, Mr. Nelson often played soft background tunes. The entire show had solid timing and professional presentation. The Lane/Harburg “The World Is in My Arms” was sung with poignancy and eloquence. Another eloquent ballad was “Too Late Now” (Lane/Lerner), originally sung by Jane Powell. “One More Walk Around the Garden” (Lane/Lerner) was soulful and melancholy.
Richard Holbrook brought Broadway and Burton Lane alive tonight, right on the stage of Feinstein’s at Loews Regency, and the audience asked for more. Generous encores ensued. You can click here for upcoming productions and events at Feinstein’s at Loews Regency.
Richard Holbrook at Feinstein's at Loews Regency
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Richard Holbrook at Feinstein's at Loews Regency
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Richard Holbrook at Feinstein's at Loews Regency
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Richard Holbrook at Feinstein's at Loews Regency
Tom Nelson on Piano, Tom Kirchner on Bass
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Richard Holbrook at Feinstein's at Loews Regency
Peter Grant on Drums
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Richard Holbrook at Feinstein's at Loews Regency
Peter Grant on Drums
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Richard Holbrook and Ken Starrett,
North American Dir., Noel Coward Society
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Richard Holbrook and Friends
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Julie Wilson, Actor, Cabaret Singer
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
|
