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Maureen McGovern Sings Cool, Romantic

“Sultry Songs on a Hot Summer’s Night”

By Lucy Komisar

Cool, clear, elegant, with a hint of jazz, Maureen McGovern hits rich high notes in songs about love (and anti-love!) at the equally cool and elegant Le Jazz Au Bar.

My favorites are those in a jazzy idiom, especially a tribute with skat to Ella Fitzgerald, who at 17 wrote “A Tisket, A Tasket,” a little yellow basket.

Also nice and jazzy are Julie Styne and Sammy Cahn’s “Put ‘Em in a Box, Tie ‘Em with a ribbon,” throw ‘em in the deep blue sea, because love and I we don’t agree. And Harold Arlen’s “Blues in the Night,” (My momma done told me….).

McGovern’s rendition of songs that aren’t jazzy is pure and buttery, albeit not especially sultry or redolent of emotion.

She mixes standards by the Gershwins, Cole Porter and Burt Bachrach with works by lesser-known writers and composers, which gives you a chance to hear some songs for the first time.

McGovern does not waste our time or assault our ears with silly patter. A rare spoken commentary, emphasizing her sophisticated cynicism about love, is this delicious quote from Dorothy Parker: "By the time you swear you're his, / Shivering and sighing, / And he vows his passion is / Infinite, undying - / Lady, make a note of this: / One of you is lying."

Le Jazz Au Bar is the most attractive cabaret I’ve seen, with well-spaced red-covered tables (every sight-line is perfect) and a British country-house ambience enhanced by old paintings and a crystal chandelier. It’s a perfect place for McGovern’s polish.

“Sultry Songs on a Hot Summer’s Night.” Performed by Maureen McGovern. Musical director and piano, Jeffrey D. Harris. Bass, Jay Leonhart. (Upcoming are Karrin Allyson Aug 24-Sept 5, Ute Lemper Sept 14-19, Karen Akers Oct 19-31.)

Le Jazz Au Bar, 41 East 58th Street (between Madison & Park), New York City. Show at 8 pm Wed-Sun, 10 pm Fri & Sat. Doors open 6:30 for dinner. Very air conditioned. $35 cover weeknights & Sun; $50 cover Fri & Sat. No minimum. Aug. 11-22, 2004. (212) 308-9455 or www.ticketweb.com.

Image by Deborah Feingold

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