Molly Ryan: Come Up and See Me Sometime
Molly Ryan
Come Up and See Me Sometime
Birdland, NYC, September 1, 2014
Reviewed by Ron Forman for Cabaret Scenes
Nobody is more suited to perform the great music of the 1920s and 1930s than Molly Ryan. Teaming up with the Benny Goodman-ish virtuosity of her husband, Dan Levinson, on reeds makes for a truly dynamic duo. This was especially true for their tribute to Mae West, Come Up and See Me Sometime at Birdland. What a delightful way to end the summer on a Labor Day evening. Although Ryan did not attempt to imitate West, she distilled the essence of what made West the star that saved Paramount Pictures from bankruptcy during the Depression.
Ryan opened with “Come Up and See Me Sometime,” West’s signature statement. While most of the numbers were up-tempo and jazzy, Ryan did a very nice version on the ballad “I Was Saying to the Moon.” Guest vocalist Carole J. Bufford wowed with two torch songs associated with West’s sister, Beverly Arden: “Mr. Blue Note” and “A Fool There Was.” Ryan was able to mix many of West’s best quotes in between numbers and Levinson’s solos on clarinet and saxophone were a powerful addition to almost every number. The last three songs— “I Wonder Where My Easy Rider’s Gone?,” “A Guy What Takes His Time” and “Now I’m a Lady”—were all spectacularly performed.
Category: Cabaret Reviews, New York City, New York City Cabaret Reviews
