Steve Ross’s beautifully curetted Valentine program – really the artist should teach show composition – features the vicissitudes of love in all its colors and eras. From Stephen Foster to “Parlami d’amore” (Cesare Andrea Bixio) to Irving Berlin and Jimmy Webb. There are, as usual, songs with which the audience is familiar- we later sing along – and eclectic choices that would remain unknown but for the expert spelunker. Occasionally grouped, Ross’ arrangements create parentheses of expression.
1932’s “Fit As a Fiddle” and ready for love (Arthur Freed/Al Hoffman/Al Goodhart) opens the evening with bright bounce. Few performers can deliver “with a hey nonny nonny and a hotcha cha” sounding frothy rather than camp. Songs from Richard Rodgers, “the waltz king of musical theater” include “Wait Till You See Her”- lilting as if notes bend towards one another – “Lover”- whose infectious sway makes one want to get up and whirl – and “The Most Beautiful Girl in the World”- sentiment with a touch of warble. (All with Lorenz Hart.)
Steve Ross
Hart’s melancholy is in his often bittersweet lyrics. “Here’s a rather brave one,” Ross says introducing a wistful “Nobody’s Heart Belongs to Me.” On its heels, “Falling in Love with Love” is equally filled with yearning, not as is often the case, having achieved love. The performer sits up a little taller for “…with love, with love everlasting…” as if hope is momentarily buoyed. There’s a quiet moment of audience empathy before applause. “Remember,” “All Alone,” and “What’ll I Do?” evoke similar feelings of having been passed by. “What’ll I do?” sings Ross looking up as if asking the powers that be. But “I’ll Be Loving You Always,” he sings as if to dispute he’ll forget. Perfectly sequenced, the songs tell a story.
Cellist Peter Manchon joins Ross on Stephen Foster’s “Why No One to Love?” Both song and performance are sincere and lovely. “A more sprightly version of this complaint” is embodied in Cole Porter’s piquant “Nobody’s Chasing Me.” Up go the eyebrows, down go the hands and pedal foot. It’s charming. Ross is charming. “I Have Dreamed” (Rodgers & Hammerstein) on the other hand levels the emotional playing field. The artist’s heart is in his voice.
KT Sullivan (Cellist Peter Machon)
KT Sullivan offers “If I Loved You” (Rodgers & Hammerstein) shadowed by velvet cello, then duets with Ross on Noël Coward’s acerbic “Bronxville Darby and Joan.” (Occasionally glaring at one another would enhance lyrics.) Her operatic “Parlami d’amore” completely stills the club: “Tell me this isn’t an illusion/Tell me that you’re all mine/Here in your heart I don’t suffer anymore…” Sullivan sings, but in Italian. Hands at her sides she channels deeply felt memories with palpably sustained quiver.
“Heartache is so much the essence of the French chanson,” agree Ross and guest Jean Brassard. A French duet of Plaisir d’amour” (Jean-Paul-Égide Marti) melds two warm voices. Brassard’s “Madeleine” (Jacques Brel) is a scene-in-one. The performer’s face is a lyric mirror, expression Chaplinesque. Madeleine’s a fool to stand him up. A rose prop works wonderfully.
Cellist Peter Machon and Jean Brassard; Jean Brassard
An unexpectedly jaunty “I Wanna Be Around” (Johnny Mercer) dovetails into “Goody, Goody” (Matty Malneck/Johnny Mercer) for which, needing little encouragement, audience sings the chorus. Complacency is not a Ross attribute. “Didn’t We?” –“This time we almost made the pieces fit, didn’t we?” (Jimmy Webb) finds the walls crashing down. Still some make it. The very pretty “Married” (Kendra Ned) and “My Cup Runneth Over” with love…(Harvey Schmidt/Tom Jones) tie possibility with lace and a ribbon.
Here’s where the evening should’ve lead to its finale instead of a lengthy medley from Showboat that while masterfully played, neither fit nor added. Two by Irving Berlin offer chiffon romance and we close with the company performing “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love.” (Jimmy McHugh/ Dorothy Fields) Nostalgic audience sings under its collective breath.
The venue is packed with admirers, more than a few performers. Ross remains unique, a purveyor of material the way it was intended to be shared. And with style.
Steve Ross: Falling in Love Again…Again!
Guest Cello Peter Machon
Guest Vocalists: KT Sullivan, Jean Brassard
Birdland
315 West 44th Street
