Jenifer French: The Peggy Lee Legacy

Carla Gordon | May 30, 2016

Jenifer French

The Peggy Lee Legacy

Davenport’s, Chicago, IL, May 14, 2016

Reviewed by Carla Gordon for Cabaret Scenes

Jenifer-French-Cabaret-Scenes-Magazine_212 In The Peggy Lee Legacy, Jenifer French salutes the versatile Lee as both singer and songwriter. French and Lee are two very different singers. Lee remains appreciated for her quiet voice and understated delivery. Making her professional bones singing with Benny Goodman’s band (Goodman was notoriously dismissive of vocalists), Lee decided not to try to out- sing the band but, instead, made the “less is more” decision—believing, and correctly so, that listeners would journey into her music. Jenifer French is a belter with high vocal and physical octane. Yet, this tribute manages to honor both ladies. Many of French’s selections (no doubt, guided by director Daryl Nitz) featured Lee’s original songs. Opening with “I Love Being Here with You” (co-written with Dave Cavanaugh) was an effective way to welcome the audience. Musical Director Johnny Rodgers brought his splendid jazz sensibilities not only to accompany French and others, but in several duets as well. The medley of songs from Disney’s Lady and the Tramp (co-written with Sonny Burke) combining the insouciant “He’s a Tramp,” the fun, goofball, “The Siamese Cat Song,” and ending with the tender “Bella Note,” was particularly effective. Guest vocalist Ann McGregor offered a swingy “Come Back to Me” (Alan Jay Lerner/Burton Lane) with a silky sound that at times reflected Peggy Lee’s own sensibilities.

French’s patter about Lee was pleasant, but could have told us more about Lee’s life and challenges. Lee overcame the early loss of her own beloved mother, a cruelly abusive stepmother and battles with Benny Goodman for greater presence and opportunities to have her original songs recorded and featured on the bandstand. French, who brings a high degree of physicality to any stage, captured Lee’s compelling stillness in “Is That All There Is?.” Written by the pop songwriting team of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, the song captivated Lee, who made it the most personal of journeys. Closing with the iconic “Fever” (written by Eddie Cooley and Otis Blackwell, although many erroneously credit it solely to Lee, who added lyrics to the original version), French captured its sassy wit and sexiness with aplomb.

Tags: Alan Jay Lerner, American Songbook, Ann McGregor, Bella Note, Benny Goodman, Broadway, Broadway Musicals, Burton Lane, Cabaret, Cabaret Reviews, Cabaret Scenes, Carla Gordon, CD, Chicago, Clubs, Come Back to Me, Composers, Daryl Nitz, Dave Cavanaugh, Davenports, Disney, Eddie Cooley, Fever, Great American Songbook, He’s a Tramp, I Love Being Here with You, Is That All There Is, Jazz, Jazz Singers, Jazz Vocalists, Jenifer French, Jerry Leiber, Johnny Rodgers, Lady and the Tramp, lyricists, Mike Stoller, Musicals, Musicians, Nightclubs, Otis Blackwell, Peggy Lee, Popular Song, Revues, Show Tunes, Singers, Songbook, Sonny Burke, Standards, Supper Clubs, The Peggy Lee Legacy, The Siamese Cat Song, Venues, Vocalists