August 1: Sharon McNight: Men of Note

Sharon McNight

Men of Note

“Songs by male, living songwriters was the focus of Sharon McNight’s latest theme show.  Her intro of The Weather Girls’ hit “It’s Raining Men” segued into Bob Dylan’s “I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight.”  The folk tune is filtered through McNight’s vibrato-laden, country lilt. She’s known for her comic renderings and presented William Finn’s scathing “Republicans,” along with John Prine’s faux advice column, “Dear Abby.”

McNight is a wild amalgam of very forceful vocal styles, like Brenda Lee, Ethel Merman, Sophie Tucker and Bette Midler. Larger than life, when McNight plants her feet on the stage to belt out Randy Newman’s “Guilty,” watch out. The lady has serious pipes that resonate to the far corners of the room. Contemporary songwriter Craig Carnelia’s wonderful “Pictures in the Hall” and “The Kid Inside” display McNight’s ability to grab a ballad and wring the emotion out of it.

The bittersweet Billy Joel ode “I’ve Loved These Days,” a McNight signature piece, resounds with its keen awareness of self-destructive behaviors and living a life with no regrets. Harry Nilsson’s “Don’t Forget Me” is another blow-away McNight showstopper. She closed with Sondheim’s “Losing My Mind,” a torch song of longing from Follies. McNight, whose bread and butter lie in holding the torch, was in her element.” — Steve Murray, Cabaret Scenes

Tags: American Songbook, Bette Midler, Billy Joel, Bob Dylan, Brenda Lee, Brian Wilson, Broadway Musicals, Cabaret, Cabaret Reviews, Cabaret Scenes, Clubs, Composers, Craig Carnelia, Dear Abby, Ethel Merman, Follies. McNight, Great American Songbook, Guilty, I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight, I’ve Loved These DaysHarry NilssonDon’t Forget MeSondheimLosing My Mind, It’s Raining Men, Jazz, John Prine, lyricists, Men of Note, Musicals, Nightclubs, Pictures in the Hall, Popular Song, Randy Newman, Republicans, Revues, Rrazz Room, Sharon McNight, Show Tunes, Singers, Songbook, Sophie Tucker, Standards, Starmites, Steve Murray, Steven Schwartz, Supper Clubs, The Kid Inside, The Weather Girls, Venues, Vocalists, William Finn, Willie Nelson

Category: PA/NJ/DE, PA/NJ/DE Pick of The Week, Pick of the Week