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NY Cabaret: Andrea Marcovicci sings “Love Songs of World War II”

Sophisticated sound and dramatic nuance add up to musical elegance

By Lucy Komisar

Hearing and seeing Andrea Marcovicci sing Love Songs of World War II gives one a sense of being not merely at a cabaret, but at a stage show.  In a red satin gown and silver fox stole, a glitzy rhinestone necklace – even her hair is styled for the forties – she sweeps through the Oak Room of the Algonquin Hotel like an actress.

In pure, smooth bell tones, she recreates the mood of a time when the most common emotions were the sadness and loneliness of wartime separation and the hope of lovers being reunited.

Most of the words she sings are of longing and memory: “We’ll meet again, don’t know where, don’t know when.” “I’ll be seeing you in all the old familiar places.” “I don’t want to walk without you, baby,” “You’ll never know just how much I miss you.”

Some of the songs are comic. As Bette Davis once did, she complains: “They’re either too young or too old.” I’d never heard, “You can’t say no to a soldier” or “I’m doing it for Defense!”

Then there was the plaintive “The White Cliffs of Dover.”  And, finally, in victory: “Kiss me once and kiss me twice and kiss me once again, it’s been a long, long time.”

It was, as Marcovicci suggested, not a “good” war (there aren’t any), but a just war. She didn’t have to add, “unlike those of the present and recent memory.” Perhaps that’s one reason why there weren’t such songs written during the Vietnam War, or now.

This sentimental journey (one of the tunes of the time) is traveled by Marcovicci in her inimitable dramatic, story-telling style. With a voice that is colorful, rich and sophisticated, she is one of America’s prima cabaret artists, and the vividness she imparts to every song shows why.

A special treat was the appearance of Helen Marcovicci, Andrea’s mother. Now 87, she is a wonderful presence in a smashing gold-beaded jacket. A rendition of “How deep is the ocean?” showed a voice still smooth and strong. Then mother and daughter sang, “Many a tear has to fall.” But there were only broad smiles in the audience at the charm of the duet. Helen Marcovicci appears on Thursdays.

Andrea Marcovicci, “I’ll be Seeing You: Love Songs of WWII” through Dec. 30, 2005. “Andrea Sings Astaire,” Jan. 3-21, 2006. Pianist & Musical Director Shelly Markham; Bassist Jered Egan.

The Oak Room, The Algonquin Hotel, 59 West 44 St. Tues-Thur 9 pm, Fri & Sat 9 and 11:30 pm. Tues-Thur 9 pm; Fri & Sat 9 pm and 11:30 pm. Cover Tues-Thur $60;  Fri and Sat $65. Dinner is required at 9 pm shows Wed-Sat, a $20 minimum Tues and late shows. (212) 419-9331 ext 171, or bmcgurn@algonquinhotel.com.  http://www.algonquinhotel.com . http://www.marcovicci.com/

Photo by Daniel Reichert

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