Freddy Cole: Feinstein’s at the Nikko
Freddy Cole
Feinstein’s at the Nikko, San Francisco, CA, November 20, 2014
Reviewed by Steve Murray for Cabaret Scenes
It’s always an honor to hear Freddy Cole ply his trade. One of the last of his kind, he is a master musician who uses simple song melodies as a departure point for beautifully crafted jazz excursions. The openers, Victor Schertzinger and Johnny Mercer’s 1941 “I Remember You” and 1937’s “I See Your Face Before Me,” are elevated beyond popular hits with Cole’s excellent jazz rhythms and the beautiful melodies of young guitar virtuoso Randy Napoleon. The two play off each other seamlessly, trading rhythm and leads so naturally, you’d think they’d played together for decades. Napoleon, whose influences include Joe Pass and Wes Montgomery, makes his Stadler Archtop sing on ballads, like Cole’s smooth take on “I’m Making Believe” and “You and Me Against the World,” or a blues-based “Nothin’s Wrong with Nothin’.” Highlights included his cover of St. Louis Jimmy Oden’s 12-bar-blues “Going Down Slow” and a sweet interpretation of “It’s Only a Paper Moon,” buoyed by Napoleon’s exquisite guitar leads.
Cole is not about showy embellishments; his playing is solidly subdued and deliciously subtle. His voice is mature and velvety smooth. His authenticity and skills, honed over decades of experience, are fascinating to hear. At 83, he hasn’t lost a step. Surrounding himself with youthful talent like Napoleon, while singing songs both classic and contemporary, keeps him current and refreshing.
Category: Cabaret Reviews, San Francisco, San Francisco Cabaret Reviews
