Carol Woods: Lighting Up a Stage with the Barry Levitt Trio

Marilyn Lester | March 31, 2016

Carol Woods

Lighting Up a Stage with the Barry Levitt Trio

Feinstein’s/54 Below, New York, NY, March 30, 2016

Reviewed by Marilyn Lester for Cabaret Scenes

Photo: Maryann Lopinto

Two words that apply to the mighty Carol Woods in their most sincere sense are “diva” and “entertainer.” Woods knows how to put on a pleaser of a show, and gives her all to do it. Her patter is quick, witty and full of charm. From the opening number, “Orange Colored Sky,” to the last, a tribute to Billie Holiday, who –with Arthur Herzog, Jr. —co-wrote “God Bless the Child” (“my mantra,” she called it), Woods rocked the house with her warm personality and robust vocals, drawing on gospel, jazz and Broadway influences. Her second song, “I Can’t Give You Anything but Love” was an upbeat number that put everyone in the mood, while her penultimate song, “Here’s to Life,” could well have been a tribute to the diva herself.

Woods also paid homage to her mentor, Margaret Whiting, to whom she dedicated “Come Rain or Come Shine,” and to Nina Simone and Nat and Natalie Cole, offering for them “My Baby Just Cares for Me.” The latter was backed by daughter Leslie Banks and granddaughter Liana Banks, who also sang on “I’m a Woman.” “(You Make Me Feel Like a) Natural Woman” and the forceful “When You’re Good to Mama” (Woods played the Chicago character off and on for nearly 18 years) also rocked it for woman power. Truly sly was her set-up for “If I Can’t Sell It, I’ll Keep Sittin’ on It,” that clever double-entendre teaser.

As much as Woods can belt, she also sings low key with depth, such as with her renditions of “I’m Glad There Is You” (“In This World of Ordinary People”) and “For All We Know.” Other notables included “Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye)” and “Let It Be” (which Woods famously sang for the film Across the Universe). Director Leslie Dockery shepherded a strong show, with Woods’ Musical Director, Barry Levitt, playing masterfully at the piano. On the upright bass, Jon Burr provided a solid anchor, while Dave Gibson played drums with subtlety and sensitivity to Woods’ vocals.

Tags: Across the Universe, American Songbook, Arthur Herzog Jr., Barry Levitt, Billie Holiday, Broadway, Broadway Musicals, Cabaret, Cabaret Reviews, Cabaret Scenes, Carol Woods, CD, Chicago, Clubs, Come Rain or Come Shine, Composers, Dave Gibson, Feinstein’s/54 Below, For All We Know, God Bless the Child, Great American Songbook, Here’s to Life, I Can’t Give You Anything but Love, I’m a Woman, I’m Glad There Is You, If I Can’t Sell It I’ll Keep Sittin’ on It, In This World of Ordinary People, Jazz, Jazz Singers, Jon Burr, Leslie Banks, Leslie Dockery, Let It Be, Liana Banks, Lighting Up a Stage with the Barry Levitt Trio, lyricists, Margaret Whiting, Marilyn Lester, Maryann Lopinto, Musicals, Musicians, My Baby Just Cares for Me, Nat King Cole, Natalie Cole, Nightclubs, Nina Simone, NYC, Orange Colored Sky, Popular Song, Revues, Show Tunes, Singers, Songbook, Standards, Supper Clubs, Venues, Vocalists, When You're Good to Mama, You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman