Karen Oberlin: His Aim is True– The Singular Songs of Elvis Costello
Karen Oberlin
His Aim is True: the Singular Songs of Elvis Costello
Stage 72 at the Triad, NYC, June 18, 2015
By Candace Leeds for Cabaret Scenes
Photo: Bill Westmoreland
Karen Oberlin is in love. And the object of her affections: the eclectic pop/jazz/punk/rock/country singer/songwriter Elvis Costello. At the second of her four-night run at Stage 72 at the Triad, Oberlin drilled down into the murky and emotional turmoil of Costello’s music, providing an ongoing commentary about her idol’s life and his songs. Her rich lower register is well suited to the timbre of many of the songs, and her considerable interpretive skills communicate the power of the material. Oberlin became enamored with Costello in her adolescence, as she related to his “sense of otherness in work and life,” describing his anger, discomfort and passion as well as his compromised sense of self which, as she admitted, was perfectly in sync with her own feelings at that time.
She began with Costello’s “Man Out of Time,” about a political sex scandal and greed, channeling a low soulful sound. Other songs brought out her jazzy, cool and sometimes country sound. Introducing the appealing jazz number “The Girl in the Other Room,” written with the jazz singer/pianist Diana Krall, who married Costello, Oberlin explained to the audience: “This is the Diana Krall part of the show. She is the shameless hussy that took my guy.”
Her finale, “The Birds Will Still Be Singing” (Brodsky String Quartet: I.D. Belton, P Cassidy, J. Thomas, M. Thomas/Costello), was powerful as she stood by the side of the stage, singing without a mic, and then walking through the audience before exiting. As critics have written, Elvis Costello’s music is an acquired taste. Yet Oberlin’s presentation appealed to the enthusiastic audience.
Karen return to Stage 72 on June 25 & July 30; both shows at 7:00 pm.
Category: Cabaret Reviews, New York City, New York City Cabaret Reviews
