This is producer/rabid Democrat Stephen Hanks’ 12th fund raising, Blue Wave cabaret show. Selfless participation of over 35 vocalists and several music directors – Tracy Stark contributed her time and talent to nine – have offered impassioned concerts to believers and the hopeful. Tonight 12 women present songs chosen to reflect the zeitgeist. If you ever had a doubt that sisterhood exists, that this election may be swayed by the kinship of threatened females, you had only to attend Sunday afternoon’s sold-out event. The women are smart – take a look at lyrics – charismatic, talented and rightfully angry.
Stephen Hanks; Michael Roberts and Blair Alexis Brown
Blair Alexis Brown opens the show with Michael Roberts’ Blue Wave theme song, rewritten to embody the times: Again we serve this great Blue Wave/Cause we have a new election/And perhaps an insurrection…Lyrics are clever and apt. With Roberts on piano, Brown demonstratively represents us all. The packed club laughs and applauds. Cheerleader, Stephen Hanks, welcomes us, then genially performs his own brief parody of “Camelot”/”Kamalot.”
Sue Matsuki; Tracy Stark and Meg Flather
“How Did We Come to This?” (Andrew Lippa):…Laughing at our neighbors/ Smiling through a hiss…sings Sue Matsuki. Leave it to this vocalist to find eclectic and eloquent expression. Gravitas and disappointment pervade. Meg Flather offers contrast with a tandem “Cockeyed Optimist” (Rodgers and Hammerstein) and “Spark” (Flather with Jamie Rogers). “I like to think we’re not as divided as we’re told,” she tells us: People are good/They’re basically, basically good, Flather earnestly sings. Shades of Anne Frank.
April Armstrong and Derek Duleba
April Armstrong on vocal and drum with Derek Duleba on able guitar, churn through a savory version of “What’s Going On?” (Al Cleveland/Renaldo Benson/ Marvin Gaye). Relevant then, relevant now. Armstrong’s sure, flannel vocal and rhythmic accompaniment create just the right tone for the unsettling lyric. Remy Block imbues Carly Simon’s “Anticipation” with an entirely new meaning. “I saw that debate. She brilliantly baited him.” These are the good, old days/It’s time to turn the page, she sings. Amen!
Remy Block, Lisa Viggiano, Tracy Stark
“The Times They Are A’Changin” (Bob Dylan) is trenchantly rendered by Lisa Viggiano. Phrases flare and vibrate. Were the vocal not so purely clarion, one might imagine teeth clenched. Tracy Stark accompanies herself on combative interpretation of Dylan’s “With God On Our Side.”: Here’’s one that really lands: I’ve earned to hate the Russians/All through my whole life/If another war comes/It’s them we must fight/To hate them and fear them/To run and to hide/And accept it all bravely/With God on my side…Stark is ferocious.
Brenda Braxton; Karen Oberlin
Brenda Braxton’s “I’m a Woman” (Jerry Lieber/Mike Stoller) personifies power, pride, and determination. The artist dominates material, her beautifully calibrated performance hurtles across the room. Karen Oberlin offers Loretta Lynn’s “One’s On the Way”/”The Pill.” :…here in Topeka, the screen door’s bangin’/The coffee’s boilin’ over and the wash needs hangin’/One wants a cookie and one wants a changin’/And there’s one on the way…Another song we’d otherwise not hear. Oberlin’s declaration lands with rancor and fatigue.
Blair Alexis Brown; Janice Hall
Janice Hall suggests “The Cat” (Annett Louisan) personifies Melania Trump: No, it will never belong to you/But you like to pet it/And it knows that for sure/Meow…The vocalist sizzles to honky-tonk accompaniment, an eyebrow metaphorically raised. Each “meow” is its own priceless expression. Blair Alexis Brown returns taking offense to the phrase “childless cat ladies.” “The woman in this song is just coming into her own when she gets pregnant. Her life will never be the same,” prefaces Sara Barielles’ “She Used to Be Mine.” Brown wrenches out the lyric.
Sierra Rein; Remy Block and Janice Hall
Sierra Rein launches “Put a woman in Charge” like a battleship (Keb’Mo’/Beth Nielsen Chapman/John Lewis Parker). With back-up by Remy Block and Janice Hall, the song arrives hard driving gospel. Vocal rises, soars and slams. Laurie Krauz decides to “go for the joy” after so many incendiary choices. The Gershwin’s “Our Love is Here to Stay” is eezee and classy. Despite its tenor, her selection is no less resolute than predecessors. Music visibly courses through Krauz. Scat is very much her own.
Laurie Krauz; Natalie Douglas
Natalie Douglas tells us she comes from a political home. “How DO WE live together?” she rhetorically asks. Susan Werner’s “Forgiveness” resonates: How do you love those who never will love you,/Who are happy to shove you in front of the train? A sobering entreaty. Douglas sings with passion.
Another inspiring collaboration. Rise up and VOTE.
As always, Tracy Stark’s mercurial piano and vocal back-up are as skilled as they are welcome.
Raffle tickets and an auction expertly organized by Sue Matsuki and Meg Flather brought in additional funds.
Photos by Alix Cohen
Opening Photo by Jean Hanks
Stephen Hanks on his Blue Wave concerts.
Campaign for Kamala BLUE WAVE SHOW
Wrangled by Stephen Hanks
Musical Director/Piano/Vocal Back-Up- Tracy Stark
https://donttellmamanyc.com/Don’t Tell Mama
343 West 46th Street
September 28, 2024
