Maxine Linehan: One: The Songs of U2
Maxine Linehan
One: The Songs of U2
Birdland, NYC, March 12, 2016
Reviewed by Ron Forman for Cabaret Scenes
After her very powerful performance of the opening number of her One: The Sounds of U2, “Beautiful Day,” Maxine Linehan remarked that she was inspired by the lyrics of the U2 songbook, and that she had a deep personal connection with these lyrics. This might help explain why for the first time I understood why U2 has sold more than 170 million records and won more Grammys (22) than any other band. Linehan and her guest stars, Brian Charles Rooney and Jarrod Spector, not only performed the 14 songs in the show powerfully, but they clearly enunciated each of the very meaningful lyrics. In addition, the remarkable arrangements for the seven-piece orchestra by Musical Director Ryan Shirar made the music very accessible for me,
After her opening number, Linehan performed the bluesy “Angel of Harlem,” which even included a mention of Birdland (at it’s old 53rd Street address). Rooney then displayed his truly amazing voice on the emotionally draining “Sunday, Bloody Sunday.” He gyrated and rocked his way through “Mysterious Ways.” Spector built to an emotionally big climax with “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.” Linehan, an accomplished actress, made full use of her dramatic skills in a tearful and moving “Bad,” written for a friend of Bono’s who had died of a heroin overdose. I was especially moved by her performance of “Sometimes You Can’t Make It on Your Own,” which Linehan dedicated to her father. Linehan and Rooney’s voices blended beautifully in their duet of U2’s first number one recording, “With You or Without You.” Linehan, who emigrated from Ireland in 2002, said that her closing number, “Walk On,” inspired her in moments of weakness. The encore, “One,” was preceded by a quote from a Charles Aznavour song: “You must learn to leave the table when love is not being served.”
Category: Cabaret Reviews, New York City, New York City Cabaret Reviews
