theatre review 4,000 MILES, Off Broadway, March 25

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Amy Herzog's play 4,000 Miles is ultimately a drama about death and it's affects on people.  While that might seem like a downer of a show, it is also one of the funniest, freshest and most realistic plays I've seen in a while.  Set in modern Manhattan and with two excellent performances at its core, 4,000 Miles officially opens this coming Monday night.

The play begins late one night at 3am when Vera's grandson Leo arrives on her West Village apartment doorstep.  He has just ended a trek across the country on his bike, hence the title of the play, and after being turned away by his girlfriend, needs a place to stay.  He doesn't know how long he will stay, maybe just a day or two, but Vera takes him in and once Leo sees just how alone his grandmother is and since has no immediate plans, he decides to stay for awhile. Over the course of the next 100 minutes, we see how these two people, even though they are seventy years apart in age, need each other to survive and how real love and compassion don't need to be overtly stated out loud.

Mary Louise Wilson

Mary Louise Wilson as Vera is giving one of the best performances in a play currently in New York.  She so perfectly captures the feelings, desperation and mundane day to day existence that your typical 90 year old grandmother goes through.   Whether it is her constant talk about the laundry, the bickering phone calls with her neighbor and daughter, the way she is always taking her hearing aid out and putting it back in or how when Leo first shows up she rushes off to put her teeth in, Wilson rings every comic nuance and dramatic moment of reality out of the part.  But where she really excels is in her ability to not over dramatize the dread of death.  Sure she is frustrated when she can't remember the words she wants to say or when her hands shake when taking a teacup to the table, but Vera keeps fighting on.  Almost all of Vera's friends are gone, she even comments that she's the last one in her Octogenarian club left, but Vera is still so concerned about life, and not just her life but Leo's life as well.  You see, Leo is just as haunted by death as Vera due to a recent tragedy that is hinted at throughout the play and that we don't fully learn the specifics about toward the end of the play.  That moment, in a scene so cleanly written and directed shows how precious life is and that death can come when least expected.

Gabriel Ebert and Mary Louise Wilson

Gabriel Ebert is also excellent as Leo.  He is just as much an independent soul as his grandmother but the tenderness he brings to the part and the interactions with Wilson are extremely touching.  Ebert perfectly captures the lost boy who doesn't quite know what to do with his life when tragedy strikes.  And while this is a part we've seen numerous times before, Ebert provides enough nuance to it to make it seem fresh and new.

Also in the cast are Zoe Winters as Leo's girlfriend and Greta Lee as a student he picks up one night and brings back to the apartment.  Both are small roles but serve a purpose in the events of the play.  Winters has two key moments in the play and it is nice to see how she reacts to the changes she sees in Leo over the course of her visits to Vera's apartment.  Lee gets some great comic moments to play and delivers them effortlessly.
This play with this cast had a previous limited run last Summer before Lincoln Center remounted it uptown at its Mitzi Newhouse Theatre.  Daniel Aukin directs this production with a light touch, allowing the words and performances to shine through.  The set design by Lauren Helpern evokes a lovely multi room Manhattan apartment with all of the items a 90 year old person would have accumulated over the years.  I especially liked the use of two filing cabinets as end tables.  Japhy Weideman's lighting design is truly magical.  The effect Weideman creates for various times of the day from early morning to late night is stunning on the Newhouse stage.  And that scene I mentioned before, where Leo tells Vera the specific details of his recent tragedy, are light in shadows that provide an intimate, almost dreamlike and surreal moment to really make the scene pop.  Like Other Desert Cities when it was at the Mitzi Newhouse last year, with 4,000 Miles you feel like you are sitting on a couch in Vera's apartment as the events unfold before you.   I truly love how intimate the Newhouse stage is.

Now for a one act play there is a lot that goes on in 4,000 Miles including some things that aren't fully fleshed out.  I'm not sure if that was Herzog's intention or not as not everything has to be resolved or serve a purpose to the play's overall plot.  There is much talk about Vera's being a communist that provides some humor and helps flesh out her back story but I didn't quite get if we were to somehow make a connection with Vera's political past and Leo's current views on life.  Also, there is some discussion around Leo's relationship with his sister that is mentioned  in a scene between Leo and Vera and then we see Leo skyping with his sister, but we never really know exactly what to make of that relationship.  The play also has a somewhat mellow ending, focusing more on the simple life of Vera's next door neighbor that while it might somehow be meant to relate back to Vera and Leo it didn't quite connect with me.  But still, with Mary Louise Wilson's performance I highly recommend 4,000 Miles.

Official Show Site

An interview with Wilson and Ebert from last Summer's run of the play:

theatre review GHOST, Broadway, March 26

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The new Broadway musical Ghost is not the worst musical I've ever seen but for one based on a hugely successful movie and with a book by the original film's screenwriter and a musical score by Dave Stewart of Eurythmics fame you would think that the most memorable elements of the show wouldn't be the sets and special effects. The show, which comes to Broadway after a successful run in London, and was directed by Matthew Warchus, is currently in previews and opens on April 23rd.

For those not familiar with the Oscar winning film, the plot of the musical is pretty much exactly the same as the movie.  Ghost tells the tale of Sam and Molly, two twenty somethings in love who have just moved into a new home in Brooklyn.  Sam is a powerful financial analyst and when he is killed toward the beginning of the story he finds himself trapped between this world and the next.  When he discovers who his killer is he stumbles upon a phony psychic who can hear him and together they try to save Molly from being murdered as well.

The two stars of the original London production are recreating their roles in the Broadway run and they are both quite good in both the acting and singing categories, it's just too bad that they aren't given better material.  Richard Fleeshman is Sam and Caissie Levy is Molly.  They both are good singers and realistically appear to be in love. 

Caissie Levy and Richard Fleeshman

My biggest problem with Ghost is that the musical numbers are all very similar, add very little to the show and at some times seem to just go on forever.  I actually can't even remember any of the songs after seeing the show and the co-writer of the score had many hit songs for The Eurythmics!  There are a couple of numbers that are given to the psychic Oda May Brown that stop the show and not in a good way, though Da’Vine Joy Randolph who plays Brown is the best thing in the show. Bruce Joel Rubin who adapted the stage version from his screenplay gives Brown the best lines in the show, and just like Whoopi Goldberg in the film version, Randolph delivers them in spades.   Though I must add that while most of the songs are loud and in the theatre you can't make out a lot of the lyrics, on the London Cast recording they are easy to understand and come off better then they do in the actual theatre.

Another problem with the show is the choreography and the use of the ensemble cast.  Ashley Wallen choreographed the show and it is truly some of the most amateurish work I've ever witnessed.  It is hard to describe but includes a lot of stilted movement with people freezing at various times in the middle of the songs.   The ensemble looks almost embarrassed for what they are having to do.

The musical even includes many film sequences that while somewhat effective are also at many times somewhat laughable.  During one romantic scene between Molly and Sam at the beginning of the show there are film projections showing close-ups of the two of them that are bordering on cheesy soft-core porn.  And worst of all, during the Overture where we get a lovely New York City skyline with moving water in the East River, there is even the name "Ghost" that appears on the screen as if we need to know the name of the show we are about to see.

It is really the special effects and the set design that get raves here.  Cool effects include showing Sam walking through a wall, ghosts rising out of their dead bodies and a ghost who haunts the subway stopping the subway and making the subway riders seem to rise up and be suspended in mid-air.  Paul Kieve provided the illusion design. I also liked the really simple use of blue lighting to highlight Sam at all times and make him seem ghostly.  The set design is also pretty amazing, though a little cluttered at times. Rob Howell designed the sets and his use of three large video walls that move around the stage are able to create the busy city streets of New York that move, a skyline of New York, streaming stock market figures and quickly allows the show to easily move from one location to the next.  It is just too bad that it seems like these walls have to constantly be moving, as if to say "look at what I can do" when by just having them be stationary at times would as easily relay the effect required.

If there was ever a show where the review "you come out humming the sets and not the music" was relevant, Ghost is that show.

Official Show Site



Highlights from the London Production- you can get a really good sense of the use of the video walls as well as see some of the horrible choreography! -

cd review ROBERT CREIGHTON, Ain't We Got Fun

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Wow!  The new cd from Robert Creighton might just be the best debut recording from a Broadway performer in years.  And why I say that is not only due to Creighton's impressive vocal abilities, the song selections and the Broadway guest stars he has included but also because Creighton completely avoids all of the fall backs Broadway performers seem to lean on when releasing a debut recording.  There are no songs from Sondheim or Lloyd Webber, no story songs from some hip or up and coming composer and except for two original songs, the most recent selection was written in 1944.  This is definitely not your usual Broadway debut solo cd.

Now while Creighton isn't exactly a household or even an A list Broadway name, like his costars in his recent Broadway show Anything Goes Joel Grey and Sutton Foster, he has appeared in numerous Broadway shows including Chicago, The Little Mermaid,  Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and The Lion King.  The two original songs on this cd are from a new musical about Jimmy Cagney that Creighton co-created, starred in and wrote the songs for, simply called Cagney!, but more on those songs later.

The cd starts off with a "Dad's Medley" that gives us the brief back story of Creighton and how as a young boy he would perform for his family.  A bouncy "Ain't We Got Fun" is next followed by one of the impressive new songs from Cagney!, "Crazy 'Bout You" that features some talented guitar playing by Eric B. Davis.  It fits perfectly within the other, older standards on the cd, which is a high compliment.  One of my favorite tracks on the recording is "My Buddy" that includes a lovely guitar arrangement that not only gives Davis another chance to shine but also is highlighted by the way Creighton's phrasing and his voice drives home the meaning of the lyrics in a simple, understated way.

The first of Creighton's guest stars is Tituss Burgess who starts off "Accentuate the Positive" with his usual flair.  Creighton joins in by adding a lovely counterpoint with "Look for the Silver Lining" that pairs perfectly with Burgess with both men hitting some impressive notes at the end.  A fun barbershop quarter arrangement of "I Want a Girl (Just Like The Girl That Married Dear Old Dad) with Daniel J. Edwards, John Treacy Egan, Merwin Foard and Brent-Alan Huffman includes some great harmonies backing Creighton up and has a really great finish. 

Now, back to those two original songs from Creighton and Cagney!:  The next track is my favorite song on the cd, called "Fallin' In Love With You."  It is a lovely duet with great lyrics, perfect musical phrasing and is supported by a lovely arrangement.  Creighton is joined by Kate Baldwin on this track and the two of them are definitely having a fun time together.  Cagney! had its world premiere in Florida three years ago and based on the two songs from the show on this cd I hope Creighton is able to get a production in New York happening soon.

"If You Were The Only Girl in the World" is my second favorite track on the recording.  It has a great arrangement and Creighton's vocals on this track are so impressive with his perfect delivery of the simple meaning behind the lyrics.  Heidi Blickenstaff joins in for a lively "You Are My Sunshine" that is followed by a touching and very emotional take on "I'll Be Seeing You" that features some impressive flugelhorn playing by Joe Burgstaller.

An impressive arrangement of "Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams" perfectly compliments Creighton's vocals.  I love how Creighton's whistling at the end of the song is mirrored by the instruments. Next up are two tracks closely associated with James Cagney when he portrayed George M. Cohan in the movie Yankee Doodle Dandy.  "Give My Regards to Broadway" features a lovely duet with Joel Grey and the joy the two men are having signing together comes through on the recording.  Creighton actually understudies for Grey in Anything Goes.  An upbeat "Yankee Doodle Dandy" follows including a lovely tap solo in the middle.

The final track on the cd is a lovely version of "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows" with no vocal but instead a touching trumpet solo.  While this might seem a little odd if you don't have the liner notes handy, but when checking them you will see that it is Creighton himself imitating a trumpet solo with his lips - and what a lovely solo it is.  The man seems like he can do just about anything.

The cd was produced by Georgia Stitt who also provided many of the arrangements as well as most of the piano accompaniment.   This is an impressive effort by Stitt.

I'm looking forward to hopefully seeing Cagney! and seeing and hearing more of Creighton in the future.

cabaret review CHITA RIVERA, NJPAC, May 19

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Chita Rivera can't stand still.  Though she may claim "I Won't Dance, Don't Ask Me," the fact that the two time Tony winner is constantly moving around the stage throughout her cabaret show makes it hard to believe she will be turning 80 early next year.  She has been touring her show "Chita Rivera, My Broadway" around the country and we caught her stop at NJPAC's Chase Room in Newark this past Saturday.

While her voice may be just a little rough around the edges and she might not be able to hold the notes as long as she used to, she still has so much power in her voice that when combined with her acting skills she still manages to completely deliver every song she sings.  She also has such charm and personality that carries throughout the theatre and in telling her stories about her life she adds so much humor to them that she comes across as such a down to earth person, well a down to earth person who just happens to have won two Tony's and starred in about fifteen Broadway shows.

She says she's from "the golden age" and while she says she's scared of what comes after that, she loves that she is from that era, a period when every theatre had a show in it and there were only new shows on Broadway.  She says that today there are so many revivals but that a few years ago she had a wonderful experience when she was walking through the Times Square area and passed posters for the revival of Bye, Bye Birdie and Chicago and then had a bus pass her that had a huge sign for the revival of West Side Story on it.  Chita talks about how much of an honor it is to having appeared in the original casts of all of those shows and how happy she was to see all of them on Broadway at the same time.  She said that after seeing those three posters and billboards "I thought, wait, am I supposed to be somewhere at 8:00 tonight?"

After her opening number that combined the afore mentioned "I Won't Dance" with the Irving Berlin classic "Let Me Sing," it was chilling to hear her sing a pairing of "A Boy Like That" and "America" from West Side Story.  If you shut your eyes you'd swear you were listening to the cast album that was made over fifty years ago.  And of course, during "America" she kicked up her heels across the small stage in the Chase cabaret room.

"Sweet Happy Life" has a nice message about making sure you live each day to the fullest with plenty of laughter and love.  It also has a rousing beat that found Chita moving across the stage to connect with the audiences on all three sides of the stage. 

In the many stories Chita told throughout the show she mentioned about being so lucky and fortunate to have lived such a great life as well as having had so many good friends in her life.  Two of those friends were the songwriting duo of John Kander and Fred Ebb.  "I Don't Remember You" is one of the earliest songs that Kander and Ebb wrote from the show The Happy Time.  Chita appeared in numerous Kander and Ebb shows, almost all of which have been recorded, so it is nice to hear her sing a Kander and Ebb song from a show she didn't appear in.  The message of the song is about aging and the inability to not always remember certain things and it included an amazing guitar accompaniment from Michael Croiter, who is also the music director for the show.   She commented that with all of the recent talk about the behind the scenes issues of the Spiderman musical that people forget that she was there first as the "Spiderwoman" in the Kander and Ebb show Kiss of the Spider Woman.  She won her second Tony for her role in that production. She sang a pairing of two songs from that show "Where You Are" and the title song and, like her take on those two songs from West Side Story, didn't sound any different than her performance on the cast recording.

Back in the 1960's, Chita starred in the National Tour of Sweet Charity as well as appeared in the 1969 film version.  Her take on "Where Am I Going?" from that show was a bit out of the ordinary .  Usually the number is sung in a more subdued quiet way, but Chita delivered it with an emotional rawness that I'd never heard before.  She talked about her leading men and how lucky she's been, including how much fun she had dancing a tango with Antonio Banderas in the revival of Nine.  In Seventh Heaven her co-star was Ricardo Montalban and she sang the humorous song "Camille, Collette, Fifi" in which she originally played the part of Fifi.  She expertly played all three parts when she sang the song, providing different characterizations to the three different parts.   Talking about her male co-stars was a perfect segue to her talking about the couple of guys she has loved over her years.  Her take on "Not Exactly Paris" was a lush and romantic story about remembering the one love of your life.

She talked about when she was first asked to star in The Rink and that she was so happy to learn that her co-star was going to be Liza Minnelli.  She said she'd always wanted to play sisters with Liza and was silent when she was told that she wasn't going to play Liza's sister but her mother.  "Chief Cook and Bottle Washer" is a fun character driven song and, once again, Chita sounded exactly the same as she did almost thirty years ago when that show first premiered and when she won her first Tony for her performance in that show.

"Carousel" from Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris is a song that when delivered right can be an absolute showstopper.  Chita starred in a production of the show with Theodore Bikel.  "Carousel" is a song about how we are all on a crazy carousel that is turning round and round that starts off slow and the accompaniment begins going faster and faster just like a carousel spinning out of control.   Chita managed to turn the song into a theatrical event that ended with a rousing ovation from the audience. 

"Nowadays" and "All that Jazz" are two songs closely associated with Chita and her performance in the original Broadway production of Chicago.  Both begin with vamps that are closely identified with each song and Chita mentioned that whenever she hears the one for "Nowadays" she always sees Gwen Verdon standing next to her as that song is a duo for the two female leads in the show.  Verdon died in 2000, so Chita's performance of the song, now as a solo, was touching in the way she delivers it as somewhat of a tribute to her friend and co-star.  In talking about the vamp that introduces "All That Jazz," Chita talked about how happy she was with the film version of the show.  She said that she told Catherine Zeta Jones, who played the part of Velma that Chita did originally on Broadway and who won the Oscar for her perfomance "you can keep the Oscar, but I get to keep the vamp."  Chita then delivered a rousing performance of the song that found her once again dancing all over the stage.

Chita ended her show with an encore of "Circle of Friends" by Carol Hall.  With all of Chita's talk about the many friends she's had over the years it was a perfect way to end the show.

Chita Rivera is a true living legend.  And she isn't stopping anytime soon as she'll be back on Broadway this Fall in a revival of The Mystery of Edwin Drood.  If Chita comes to your town don't miss the chance to see her.

Most of the songs Chita performed in her cabaret show can be heard on her latest cd "And Now I Swing"

Chita's official Website

Chita sings "Where You Are" from Kiss of the Spider Woman -


Chita and Gwen Verdon perform "Nowadays" from Chicago on The Mike Douglas Show - also includes an interview with both of them

theatre review DON'T DRESS FOR DINNER, Broadway, June 16

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Farce can be a hard thing to pull off.  You need the right pacing, proper comic timing and the ability to not veer too far into the extreme otherwise it could come across as blatant mugging and scenery chewing. 

Last Saturday we saw one of the final Broadway performances of the French farce Don't Dress For Dinner and based on the reviews the show received I went in with low expectations.  I don't know if the cast has had more performances to work on those things I mentioned above or if it was just my low expectations but I have to say I was pleasantly surprised with the outcome and the casts ability to pull off this play that included many hilarious moments. 

Adam James and Ben Daniels

Don't Dress For Dinner is a French play that was written by Marc Camoletti in 1987 and translated into English by Robin Hawdon.  It is actually a sequel of sorts to Carmoletti's earlier play Boeing, Boeing which just happened to be presented earlier this season at the Paper Mill Playhouse.  The play is your typical farce with plenty of misdirection, mistaken identities and many double entendres but with a minimal amount of door slamming when compared to other current farces like Noises Off and Lend Me a Tenor. 

Spencer Hayden, Ben Daniels and Patricia Kalember

Featuring the same two male characters from his earlier play, Don't Dress For Dinner is actually a better constructed play than Boeing Boeing due to the fact that the comical action starts within just minutes of the plays opening.    In Boeing, Boeing the craziness didn't really hit its stride until about twenty minutes in. 

Bernard and Jacqueline are a middle aged married couple who are both having affairs on the side. Jacqueline is supposed to be going out of town to see her mother so Bernard had arranged for his mistress Suzanne to visit for the weekend along with his friend Robert.  When Jacqueline learns that Robert is coming for the weekend she changes her plans as Robert is actually her lover and she figures that if she stays she and Robert can find some time to be together.  Bernard has also arranged a cook to come for the weekend to help out with things. So, when Jacqueline tells Bernard that she is not going to see her mother he tells her that Robert is bringing his girlfriend and convinces Robert to pretend that Suzanne is his girlfriend.  When Robert confuses the cook Suzette for Bernard's mistress Suzanne hilarity begins.  Things really get interesting when the cook begins to understand exactly what is going on and how to continually monopolize on the ever changing situation as the stakes get higher and higher.   The craziness doesn't stop for the next two hours. 

Spencer Hayden and Ben Daniels

This production is fortunate that Spencer Hayden is playing the cook. Not only is she great with the comic timing required but she delivers a humorous French accent as well as a lithe body that bends and flows around the furniture and the bodies of several cast members.  She so expertly handles everything required of her that it is easy to see why she received a Tony nom for her performance.  As Bernard and Robert, Adam James and Ben Daniels deliver on the requirements and Daniels, who is on stage more then anyone in the rest of the cast, provides some very funny bits including a fast and funny and very speedy monologue, but neither of them really sizzle in the sexuality of the roles.  The same could be said of Patricia Kalember who is playing Bernard's wife.  She is sensual and perfectly charming but this is a sex farce so a little more heat would have been nice from the three leads. 

The same can't be said about Jennifer Tilly.  Sure, she may come across as performing in a different version of the play then the rest of the cast due to her roughness and lack of any form of European accent but damn if she doesn't grow on you.  She provides a huge shot of sexuality as well to the otherwise prim and proper cast.   She has no problem letting it all hang out and her curves and flash of flesh add a nice bawdy element.  David Aron Damane has the right combination of fear and sweetness as Suzette's jealous husband and when he shows up late in act two he has no problem jumping right in with the rest of the cast and actually brings the zaniness to an even higher level.

Jennifer Tilly, Ben Daniels and Spencer Hayden

Director John Tillinger keeps the pace moving fast and the cast hitting the appropriate marks.  He has also contributed several clever and humorous comic bits like one including a phone cord as well as a lovely but still funny tango for a slightly drunken Suzette and Bernard.  Design elements are perfectly splendid with a lovely country house set design by John Lee Beatty, some gorgeous costumes by William Ivey Long that include formal wear as well as some of the most gorgeous pajamas I've ever seen and seemingly simple yet effective lighting by Ken Billington.  Overall Don't Dress For Dinner is a fun show with many hilarious moments, expert design elements, solid direction and a more than competent cast led by the bawdy Jennifer Tilly and the extremely talented Spencer Hayden. 

Video segment featuring the cast talking about the show and some clips of the production:

Lauren Edman - It's Always The Quiet One

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Lauren Edman – It’s Always The Quiet One
2012, Lauren EdmanAt first listen, Lauren Edman’s It’s Always The Quiet One might seem like a musical autobiography that’s full of contradictions.  It that’s your first impression you might want to listen again.  In a world full of superficial pop music, Edman digs deep.  Exploring the worlds perceptions of a ‘quiet person’ in direct contrast to her sense of self, Edman gets deep into her own psyche while navigating the musical pathways between trip-hop and shoegaze.  Sparse, ethereal arrangements both frame the songs and leave Edman’s voice and presence exposed to the world.  It is a brave artistic effort that succeeds on chutzpah and musicality.Edman has a sweet, plaintive voice with just a hint of edge to it; the high school wall flower that finally speaks during graduation week and makes everyone uncomfortable with how much she’s been paying attention all these years.  Edman’s focus is turned inward on It’s Always The Quiet One, however, examining her own emotions, motives and insecurities.  On “Wasting”, E      dman explores self-doubt in the context of gorgeous ambience.  The vocal harmonies she builds around herself have to be heard to be fully appreciated.   “Slate” sets up an interesting juxtaposition between the arrangement and Edman’s voice.  The almost clockwork piano style nearly sounds programmed, whereas Edman’s voice is passive and sweet.  The theatrical sense here is compelling, as an implication of events out of her control wash by Edmans in her ‘quiet’ state.  “Be The Light” explores the mindset of a loner who knows how to break free but stays confined to their own inner restrictions.  This is a through the looking glass moment, standing on the precipice of setting oneself free while negotiating the inherent discomforts.  This struggle resolves in “Sweet Girl”, with Edman breaking out of her shell.  There’s an almost apologist air to this, but only for the discomfort she’s caused others.  It’s very clear that the quiet girl is here to stay.  The energy in this song changes as well, an uptick from the quiet aesthetics that span much of It’s Always The Quiet One.  Edman doesn’t so much get louder as she injects more energy into her electronic muse, achieving a sense of dynamic that is too often missing from electronic pop.Perhaps the big struggle on It’s Always The Quiet One is that the album climaxes too early.  “Sweet Girl” is a being is becoming moment.  In a movie, you would expect such a character breakthrough to lead to the realization of a goal, dream, etc.  There would be some sort of payoff for the main character or narrator.  That payoff never comes on It’s Always The Quiet One.  Edman offers up a series of musical doodles that are more afterthought that aftershock.  “Red Wings”, “Desperate Times” and “Silent” simply slide by the listener.  Edman shows signs of life on “This Is It”, but they are mere sonic echoes.  “She’s Not Here” is an attempt to celebrate the rite of passage that has occurred in “Sweet Girl”, but it is too far disconnected by time and musical experience to have the impact it might have otherwise.In spite of all of this, there really isn’t a weak song on It’s Always The Quiet One.  It’s simply that Edman starts out with a quietly theatrical sense and the feel of a story in development, but then drops listeners half way through for a series of scattered sidebar illuminations that don’t resonate with the progression she starts with.  It’s clear that Lauren Edman has a talent for building sonically pleasing songs from the electronic ether, and her voice is sweet, but with just enough of an edge to keep it interesting.  There is a talent, however, to building an album that involves more than simply writing songs, but the ability to put them together in a way that flows and makes sense.  Edman loses that sense part way through It’s Always A Quiet One.  It’s not a fatal error, but it does make the listening experience a bit disjointed.Rating: 3 Stars (Out of 5)Learn more about Lauren Edman at www.laurenedman.com.  It's Always The Quiet One is available from the e-tailers below, as well as through the Wildy's World Amazon.com store.

Amazon CD                 Amazon MP3           iTunes


Please note that the Amazon.com prices listed above are as of the posting date, and may have changed. Wildy's World is not responsible for price changes instituted by Amazon.com.

Wildy's World auctions - American Cancer Society

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Keep your eyes open beginning June 1, 2012!

Wildy's World is teaming up with a host of Independent and established artists to offer up some interesting auctions on eBay to raise money for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life.

Auctions will include the opportunity to have a song written for yourself, about a subject of your choosen, or for someone you love from a host of independent artists, many of whom have been reviewed here on this blog.  To date I have confirmed participation from Kati Mac, John Mueller of Winter Dance Party, Andy Hawk, The Spanish Channel, Missed You At The Show, The Blisterz, BFF, Jodi Shaw, Skyler, Key Dragon, Deborah Crooks, Amanda Belardinelli, These Curious Thoughts. Crown Point Band, Steve Haggard and Beth Whitney.  I also have initial indications of interest from 18 additional artists who want to auction off a song for the winning bidder to shape, as it were.

In addition, several artists have stepped forward with items to raffle off.  Confirmed thus far are Marian Call, Styx, Ron Hawkins (Lowest of the Low), Winter Dance Party, Jerome Lee, Andy Hawk and Lee Alexander.

So keep your eyes on the eBay profile amherstcds beginning June 1, 2012.  Profits from these auctions will benefit the American Cancer Society, with a couple of the auctions splitting the proceeds between the American Cancer Society and other charities/projects.  Each will be specified in the auction listing.

This will be a great opportunity to win a one-of-a-kind auction from some of your favorite independent artists and help the American Cancer Society make a world with more birthdays!

And if you're an artist who'd like to participate in one of these auctions, it's not too late!  Drop me a line at wildysworld@gmail.com.  If you'd just like to make a donation to The American Cancer Society on behalf of Wildy's World, you can donate through Wildy's personal Relay For Life page.  Have a wonderful day, and be well!

...wildy

Wildy's World Auctions to benefit The American Cancer Society

To contact us Click HERE
Wildy's World writer/editor Wildy (will-dee)  Haskell will be participating in the Relay For Life in Geneva, NY on July 28-29, 2012.  As part of the fundraising efforts for that event, Wildy's World has reached out to a number of the artists we've worked with in the past.  Throughout June and July of 2012, we will be offering a number of unique, one-of-a-kind auctions on eBay.

Our first auction, going live on Friday, June 1, 2012 at 8:00 PM EDT, is the opportunity to have a song written at your request by New York City singer/songwriter Kati Mac. 


Kati Mac is an internationally known artist with five albums spanning and twenty-year career, and her work has been featured on such television shows as General Hospital, The Guiding Light and Sunset Beach.  While the auctions hasn't kicked off yet, you can view it already.  Kati Mac's song auction will on eBay under item #221038586203.  All auctions can be viewed once they go live under the seller id wildysworld. 

This once in a lifetime opportunity is only the first of many.  To date over thirty artists have signed up to write a song in this fashion.  We've also received some great memorabilia from several artists, with several more promising items.  So stay tuned...  you never know what might be coming next!

Wildy's World Auctions (American Cancer Society)

To contact us Click HERE
Greetings fellow travelers!

Yes, there are more reviews coming.  I’ve been a bit slow on that front of late as I have been putting much of my spare time into fundraising for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life!  I have about 60 or so reviews in the can, most of them handwritten; all just waiting for me to find time to type them out.

Yes.

But right now Wildy’s World is engaged in an exciting project!  We reached out over the past couple of months to the artists we’ve worked with over the past several years, and many have been gracious enough to offer their time and talent for song auctions on eBay (seller ID wildysworld).  The idea is simple:  The highest bidder from the auction gets to fill out a short survey telling the artist what they would like their song to be about.  The artist then takes that information and interprets it how they will.  The winner will then receive a recording of the song via email. 
The recording is expected to be a demo – clean but not necessarily the finished product you might hear on an album.  Some artists are going further than this based on the time and resources available to them.

Even some of the artists who do not have time to engage in the songwriting project are contributing.  One artist is donating a cover song – winner gets to pick the song, any song, and the artist will interpret it.  Still others have donated or promised to donate signed items, rare CDs, artwork, etc.  I’ve even added a few signed items I’ve personally received over the past four or so years to the mix.

As of this morning there are seven auctions live on eBay, and I would highly encourage you to check them out!  All proceeds will be donated to the American Cancer Society through my Relay For Life Team, the Cave Crashers.  And even if you don’t want to participate in the auction, but want to make a donation on my behalf, you can do so through my personal Relay for Life page here.
Here are the auctions currently live.  All are for original songs written by the artist named:

Kati Mac (NYC)    - Ends today

John Mueller (Buddy Holly of Winter Dance Party) – End 6/9/12

Benjamin Russell (Canada) – Ends 6/10/12

Andy Hawk (Hamilton, VA) – Ends 6/11/12

The Spanish Channel (Brooklyn) – Ends 6/12/12

Missed You At The Show (Manchester, UK) – Ends 6/13/12

The Blisterz (Albany, NY) – Ends 6/14/12

The following auctions are forthcoming, with the start date listed.  All auctions are for original songs to be written, unless otherwise specified.

BFF (6/8/12)
Jodi Shaw (6/9/12)
Skyler (6/10/12)
Zak Smith Band (6/11/12)
KeyDragon (6/12/12)
The Amplifires (6/13/12)
The Modern Airline (6/14/12)
Randy Stern  (6/15/12)
Joshua Jesty  (6/16/12)
Deborah Crooks (6/17/12)
Mar Harmon of Music With Mar (6/18/12)
Jerry Falzone (6/19/12)
Brian Pounds (6/20/12)
Styx – Signed Electric Guitar (6/21/12)
The Energy Commission (6/22/12)
Jeneen Terrana (6/23/12)
Halie Loren – Cover song (6/24/12)
Aurical (6/25/12)
John Byrne (6/26/12)
Ron Hawkins of Lowest Of The Low – An original oil painting of Bjork (6/27/12)
Joel Dobbins (6/28/12)
Trout Fishing In America – Signed T-Shirts (6/29/12)
Amanda Belardinelli (6/30/12)
These Curious Thoughts (7/1/12)
Crown Point Band (7/2/12)
Steve Haggard (7/3/12)
Kaitlin McGaw (7/4/12)
Shane Lamb (7/5/12)
Amos Lee – Signed, rare CD (7/6/12)
James Scott Fant – 7/7/12
Beth Whitney – 7/8/12
Pat Flanakin – 7/9/12
Brother Joscephus – 7/16/12
Phoebe Legére – 7/18/12

As you can tell, we still have some dates to fill between 7/10 and 7/17/12.  If you would like to participate in an auction, please contact me at wildysworld@gmail.com.  I also have some items to be scheduled, including signed items from Val Emmich, Kristoffer Ragnstam, Lee Alexander (promised), Marian Call (promised), John Mueller and Stars Go Dim.

Bid early, bid often, and tell everyone you know.  Once again, all proceeds will go the American Cancer Society, so it’s all for a good cause! 

Reviews, The Relay for Life, and what comes next

To contact us Click HERE
Hello friendly readers.  I know there are still quite a few of you out there because I see the daily numbers still clocking in at close to 300.  I have not been posting reviews here as regularly this month as I have been putting a lot of time into fundraising for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life.  Many of the artists we have covered over the last 4+ years have participated in the process, and you can follow our eBay auctions in the Wildy's World eBay Store!

And just because you haven't seen a steady stream of reviews getting published here doesn't mean they aren't getting written.  I've got quite the backup waiting for when I have time to actually get them posted.  You'll see some more regular posts as we move into July, and things should be entirely back to abnormal once we hit the busy fall music season.

In the mean time, I opened the eBay store for the purpose of running these auctions, but I would like to use it to help Independent artists move their product.  I am working on building a real presence on eBay for Wildy's World, as a one-stop shop for some of the best Indie music going.  I would like to focus on signed albums, unusual releases and/or memorabilia.  Things that might be unique, in addition to the regular music.  That is what will make the store a success for both Wildy's World and for the artists selling in it.  Let me know your thoughts.  If you're interested in listing items there we can discuss the details.  This won't go live until at least August or possibly September, so there is time to get all the details figured out.

Also, there is a big announcement coming, about a major musical event to be held in Central New York.  Check back here for details.  That's all for now!

Wildy

Lauren Edman - It's Always The Quiet One

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Lauren Edman – It’s Always The Quiet One
2012, Lauren EdmanAt first listen, Lauren Edman’s It’s Always The Quiet One might seem like a musical autobiography that’s full of contradictions.  It that’s your first impression you might want to listen again.  In a world full of superficial pop music, Edman digs deep.  Exploring the worlds perceptions of a ‘quiet person’ in direct contrast to her sense of self, Edman gets deep into her own psyche while navigating the musical pathways between trip-hop and shoegaze.  Sparse, ethereal arrangements both frame the songs and leave Edman’s voice and presence exposed to the world.  It is a brave artistic effort that succeeds on chutzpah and musicality.Edman has a sweet, plaintive voice with just a hint of edge to it; the high school wall flower that finally speaks during graduation week and makes everyone uncomfortable with how much she’s been paying attention all these years.  Edman’s focus is turned inward on It’s Always The Quiet One, however, examining her own emotions, motives and insecurities.  On “Wasting”, E      dman explores self-doubt in the context of gorgeous ambience.  The vocal harmonies she builds around herself have to be heard to be fully appreciated.   “Slate” sets up an interesting juxtaposition between the arrangement and Edman’s voice.  The almost clockwork piano style nearly sounds programmed, whereas Edman’s voice is passive and sweet.  The theatrical sense here is compelling, as an implication of events out of her control wash by Edmans in her ‘quiet’ state.  “Be The Light” explores the mindset of a loner who knows how to break free but stays confined to their own inner restrictions.  This is a through the looking glass moment, standing on the precipice of setting oneself free while negotiating the inherent discomforts.  This struggle resolves in “Sweet Girl”, with Edman breaking out of her shell.  There’s an almost apologist air to this, but only for the discomfort she’s caused others.  It’s very clear that the quiet girl is here to stay.  The energy in this song changes as well, an uptick from the quiet aesthetics that span much of It’s Always The Quiet One.  Edman doesn’t so much get louder as she injects more energy into her electronic muse, achieving a sense of dynamic that is too often missing from electronic pop.Perhaps the big struggle on It’s Always The Quiet One is that the album climaxes too early.  “Sweet Girl” is a being is becoming moment.  In a movie, you would expect such a character breakthrough to lead to the realization of a goal, dream, etc.  There would be some sort of payoff for the main character or narrator.  That payoff never comes on It’s Always The Quiet One.  Edman offers up a series of musical doodles that are more afterthought that aftershock.  “Red Wings”, “Desperate Times” and “Silent” simply slide by the listener.  Edman shows signs of life on “This Is It”, but they are mere sonic echoes.  “She’s Not Here” is an attempt to celebrate the rite of passage that has occurred in “Sweet Girl”, but it is too far disconnected by time and musical experience to have the impact it might have otherwise.In spite of all of this, there really isn’t a weak song on It’s Always The Quiet One.  It’s simply that Edman starts out with a quietly theatrical sense and the feel of a story in development, but then drops listeners half way through for a series of scattered sidebar illuminations that don’t resonate with the progression she starts with.  It’s clear that Lauren Edman has a talent for building sonically pleasing songs from the electronic ether, and her voice is sweet, but with just enough of an edge to keep it interesting.  There is a talent, however, to building an album that involves more than simply writing songs, but the ability to put them together in a way that flows and makes sense.  Edman loses that sense part way through It’s Always A Quiet One.  It’s not a fatal error, but it does make the listening experience a bit disjointed.Rating: 3 Stars (Out of 5)Learn more about Lauren Edman at www.laurenedman.com.  It's Always The Quiet One is available from the e-tailers below, as well as through the Wildy's World Amazon.com store.

Amazon CD                 Amazon MP3           iTunes


Please note that the Amazon.com prices listed above are as of the posting date, and may have changed. Wildy's World is not responsible for price changes instituted by Amazon.com.

Wildy's World auctions - American Cancer Society

To contact us Click HERE
Keep your eyes open beginning June 1, 2012!

Wildy's World is teaming up with a host of Independent and established artists to offer up some interesting auctions on eBay to raise money for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life.

Auctions will include the opportunity to have a song written for yourself, about a subject of your choosen, or for someone you love from a host of independent artists, many of whom have been reviewed here on this blog.  To date I have confirmed participation from Kati Mac, John Mueller of Winter Dance Party, Andy Hawk, The Spanish Channel, Missed You At The Show, The Blisterz, BFF, Jodi Shaw, Skyler, Key Dragon, Deborah Crooks, Amanda Belardinelli, These Curious Thoughts. Crown Point Band, Steve Haggard and Beth Whitney.  I also have initial indications of interest from 18 additional artists who want to auction off a song for the winning bidder to shape, as it were.

In addition, several artists have stepped forward with items to raffle off.  Confirmed thus far are Marian Call, Styx, Ron Hawkins (Lowest of the Low), Winter Dance Party, Jerome Lee, Andy Hawk and Lee Alexander.

So keep your eyes on the eBay profile amherstcds beginning June 1, 2012.  Profits from these auctions will benefit the American Cancer Society, with a couple of the auctions splitting the proceeds between the American Cancer Society and other charities/projects.  Each will be specified in the auction listing.

This will be a great opportunity to win a one-of-a-kind auction from some of your favorite independent artists and help the American Cancer Society make a world with more birthdays!

And if you're an artist who'd like to participate in one of these auctions, it's not too late!  Drop me a line at wildysworld@gmail.com.  If you'd just like to make a donation to The American Cancer Society on behalf of Wildy's World, you can donate through Wildy's personal Relay For Life page.  Have a wonderful day, and be well!

...wildy

Wildy's World Auctions to benefit The American Cancer Society

To contact us Click HERE
Wildy's World writer/editor Wildy (will-dee)  Haskell will be participating in the Relay For Life in Geneva, NY on July 28-29, 2012.  As part of the fundraising efforts for that event, Wildy's World has reached out to a number of the artists we've worked with in the past.  Throughout June and July of 2012, we will be offering a number of unique, one-of-a-kind auctions on eBay.

Our first auction, going live on Friday, June 1, 2012 at 8:00 PM EDT, is the opportunity to have a song written at your request by New York City singer/songwriter Kati Mac. 


Kati Mac is an internationally known artist with five albums spanning and twenty-year career, and her work has been featured on such television shows as General Hospital, The Guiding Light and Sunset Beach.  While the auctions hasn't kicked off yet, you can view it already.  Kati Mac's song auction will on eBay under item #221038586203.  All auctions can be viewed once they go live under the seller id wildysworld. 

This once in a lifetime opportunity is only the first of many.  To date over thirty artists have signed up to write a song in this fashion.  We've also received some great memorabilia from several artists, with several more promising items.  So stay tuned...  you never know what might be coming next!

Wildy's World Auctions (American Cancer Society)

To contact us Click HERE
Greetings fellow travelers!

Yes, there are more reviews coming.  I’ve been a bit slow on that front of late asI have been putting much of my spare time into fundraising for the AmericanCancer Society’s Relay for Life!  I haveabout 60 or so reviews in the can, most of them handwritten; all just waitingfor me to find time to type them out.

Yes.

But right now Wildy’s World is engaged in an excitingproject!  We reached out over the pastcouple of months to the artists we’ve worked with over the past several years, andmany have been gracious enough to offer their time and talent for song auctionson eBay (seller ID wildysworld).  Theidea is simple:  The highest bidder fromthe auction gets to fill out a short survey telling the artist what they wouldlike their song to be about.  The artistthen takes that information and interprets it how they will.  The winner will then receive a recording ofthe song via email. 
The recording is expected to be a demo – clean but notnecessarily the finished product you might hear on an album.  Some artists are going further than thisbased on the time and resources available to them.

Even some of the artists who do not have time to engage inthe songwriting project are contributing. One artist is donating a cover song – winner gets to pick the song, anysong, and the artist will interpret it. Still others have donated or promised to donate signed items, rare CDs,artwork, etc.  I’ve even added a fewsigned items I’ve personally received over the past four or so years to themix.

As of this morning there are seven auctions live on eBay,and I would highly encourage you to check them out!  All proceeds will be donated to the AmericanCancer Society through my Relay For Life Team, the Cave Crashers.  And even if you don’t want to participate inthe auction, but want to make a donation on my behalf, you can do so through mypersonal Relay for Life page here.
Here are the auctions currently live.  All are for original songs written by theartist named:

KatiMac (NYC)    - Ends today

JohnMueller (Buddy Holly of Winter Dance Party) – End 6/9/12

BenjaminRussell (Canada) – Ends 6/10/12

AndyHawk (Hamilton, VA) – Ends 6/11/12

TheSpanish Channel (Brooklyn) – Ends 6/12/12

MissedYou At The Show (Manchester, UK) – Ends 6/13/12

TheBlisterz (Albany, NY) – Ends 6/14/12

The following auctions are forthcoming, with the start datelisted.  All auctions are for originalsongs to be written, unless otherwise specified.

BFF (6/8/12)
Jodi Shaw (6/9/12)
Skyler (6/10/12)
Zak Smith Band (6/11/12)
KeyDragon (6/12/12)
The Amplifires (6/13/12)
The Modern Airline (6/14/12)
Randy Stern  (6/15/12)
Joshua Jesty  (6/16/12)
Deborah Crooks (6/17/12)
Mar Harmon of Music With Mar (6/18/12)
Jerry Falzone (6/19/12)
Brian Pounds (6/20/12)
Styx – Signed Electric Guitar (6/21/12)
The Energy Commission (6/22/12)
Jeneen Terrana (6/23/12)
Halie Loren – Cover song (6/24/12)
Aurical (6/25/12)
John Byrne (6/26/12)
Ron Hawkins of Lowest Of The Low – An original oil painting of Bjork (6/27/12)
Joel Dobbins (6/28/12)
Trout Fishing In America – Signed T-Shirts (6/29/12)
Amanda Belardinelli (6/30/12)
These Curious Thoughts (7/1/12)
Crown Point Band (7/2/12)
Steve Haggard (7/3/12)
Kaitlin McGaw (7/4/12)
Shane Lamb (7/5/12)
Amos Lee – Signed, rare CD (7/6/12)
James Scott Fant – 7/7/12
Beth Whitney – 7/8/12
Pat Flanakin – 7/9/12
Brother Joscephus – 7/16/12
Phoebe Leg̩re Р7/18/12

As you can tell, we still have some dates to fill between7/10 and 7/17/12.  If you would like toparticipate in an auction, please contact me at wildysworld@gmail.com.  I also have some items to be scheduled,including signed items from Val Emmich, Kristoffer Ragnstam, Lee Alexander(promised), Marian Call (promised), John Mueller and Stars Go Dim.

Bid early, bid often, and tell everyone you know.  Once again, all proceeds will go the AmericanCancer Society, so it’s all for a good cause! 

Jessie Kilguss & Radio Gold - The Sky Road

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Jessie Kilguss & Radio Gold – The Sky Road
2012, Jessie Kilguss & Radio GoldJessie Kilguss didn’t plan on being a singer/songwriter.  The classically trained actress was one of the afflicted girls in the screen adaptation of The Crucible starring Daniel Day-Lewis and Winona Ryder, an her training at NYU’s Tisch School of Fine Arts and Webber Doublas Academy of Dramatic Art in London had Kilguss well on her way to a successful acting career.  In fact, it was an opportunity to share the stage with Marianne Faithful that opened her eyes to a new world; a world in which Kilguss could be in creative control.  Switching gears, she began writing her own songs.  After two albums and a lot of gigs, Kilguss took her band Radio Gold to Ireland to record her third effort, The Sky Road.  Talk about transformations – in a few short year Kilguss has gone from a fledgling singer/songwriter to a highly capable artist who create moments of musical magic.The Sky Road opens with “Take Me To The Ocean”, a rock-a-by pop song with escapist intentions.  The call of the ocean – of boundaries an what might beyond drives this wonderfully melodic tune.  Kilguss’ voice is as amooth as a placid pool but full of hidden, roiling depths.  “Counting Sheep” is a quirky little pop number about struggling to do the right thing in the long hours of the night.  This song manages to deal with deep and raw emotions that can never be smoothed over while maintaining a high polish.  On “Down The Line” Kilguss takes a melancholy look forward at the past in a soliloquy on the one who won’t stop haunting her thoughts.  This quiet an contemplative moment is full of angst, reverie and regret.Kilguss gets medieval in “Die Dog Or Eat The Hatchet”, a dark but catchy tune full of animalistic aggression.  The juxtaposition between the darkness of the subject matter and Kilguss’ whiskey-smooth voice is compelling.  Radio Gold ads a sense of machismo to “10 Stories High” with some muscular yet reserved guitar work woven into a song of desperation.  Kilguss digs in with both hands and both feet, staying cool on the verses but showing a real egy mien on the chorus.  “The Sky Road” is amusical landscape, painted in notes, rests and serene timbres.  Kigluss shines in a moment of beauty by getting outside of herself and making the magic and mystery of childhood places the heart of this song."Gun Shy” is a relationship mea culpa, experiencing hesitation after a life full of impetuous decisions.  The authenticity here is impossible to ignore, as Kilguss wraps her story in a wonderfully catchy alt-pop gemthat has hit single written all over it.  “Keith & Anita” is a relationship post-mortem on a couple who only knew who to get along by fighting.  The song is well-written and souns like it badly wants to be a country tune. It works well here, but may have some stylistic development yet in the live setting.“Riverboat Gamblers” is a road song transplanted to the Mississippi River; a omance of times gone by and a life of adventure of the sort that informe Mark Twain’s novels.  The song is incredibly catchy, a mix of classic R&B an Americana that’s quietly infectious.  Kilguss gets mellow on “Ringleader”, a melancholy rumination on power in a relationship.  Kilguss fins a true ‘wow’ moment here, both as a songwriter and singer.  Her voice is magically pure in this moment, as the dark underbelly of the song only slowly becomes clear admidst the sorrowful keening of a steel guitar.  Kilguss says goodnight with the twangy country rocker “Tennessee”.  It’s a horror movie in song; full of dark and light and a delightful story teller’s sensibility.  Kilguss’ sense of imagery and irony here is entertaining, especially as you through the layers of her story.Jessie Kilguss continues to learn and grow as a songwriter, but has finally transcended the line where her artistic talent becomes self-feeding.  The Sky Road is redolent with that mix of good intentions and bad deeds that defines humanity, and mixes a strong sense of melody with a darkly disjointed compositional style that is both appealing and occasionally jarring.  The Sky Road offers songs of consistent quality spike with flashes of brilliance, and it’s hard not to think that Jessie Kilguss and Radio Gold are just getting warmed up.Rating: 4.5 Stars (Out of 5)Learn more at www.jessiekilguss.com.  You can purchase copies of The Sky Road through the e-tailers below! There are CD copies about, but you might need to be at a show to catch one!
Amazon MP3


Please note that the Amazon.com prices listed above are as of the posting date, and may have changed. Wildy's World is not responsible for price changes instituted by Amazon.com.