Since their marriage in August of 2004, Eric Comstock and Barbara Fasano’s musical partnership has thrived with both singers evidencing new depth and intuitiveness that make their on-going collaborations must-see cabaret events.  This is especially true of their newest offering, Remembering John Wallowitch, Lew Spence & Murray Grand, which debuted two months ago at The Music Box at the Broadway Baby Bistro.  A triumph in every sense of the word, Remembering… is a showcase not only for the composers of the title, but for Comstock and Fasano as well.  And though the three composers honored in Remembering…may seem an unlikely trio to build a show around, Comstock and Fasano’s unerring musical taste and savvy programming made the show a winner from beginning to end.

For those unfamiliar with Wallowitch, Spence and Grand (if that’s possible for anyone reading Cabaret Scenes), here’s a quick synopsis: Singer-songwriter-pianist Murray Grand, who died March 7, 2007, at the age of 87, created the first café revue in New York City and had his most famous composition, “Guess Who I Saw Today,” included in the Smithsonian Institute’s collection of “the 25 most important night-club songs of all time.”  John Wallowitch, a singer-composer of thousands of songs and a familiar face on New York television on his cable-access show John’s Cabaret, died August 15, 2007, at the age of 81.  Best known for songs that reveled in word play and witty social observation, such as “Bruce” which was popularized by Blossom Dearie, Wallowitch was often compared to Noel Coward and Cole Porter for his smart and snappy tunes.  Lew Spence, who didn’t publish his first song until he was almost thirty, was best known for “Nice ‘n’ Easy,” a smash hit for Sinatra, died January 9, 2008, at the age of 87.  He was also notable for becoming a full-time lyricist in his late forties after almost two decades of providing only melodies for other people’s words.

In Remembering John Wallowitch, Lew Spence and Murray Grand, all three men are given their brief, but equal, due by Comstock and Fasano.  In addition to his signature “Come a Little Closer,” highlights from Wallowitch’s prodigious output included a sensitive reading of “Taking Things for Granted” by Comstock which segued into a ravishing version of “I See the World Through Your Eyes” by Fasano.  Selections from Murray Grand’s songbook included a rousing take on “Come by Sunday” by Comstock and a whimsical version of “I Always Say Hello to a Flower” courtesy of Fasano.  Additionally, undaunted by the near-definitive renditions of “Guess Who I Saw Today” by Nancy Wilson and Eydie Gorme, Fasano tackled Grand’s landmark song of a betrayed housewife with power and understated restraint.  Lew Spence was represented by a handful of terrific choices, notably a heartfelt “Quiet is the Way” by Fasano, a racy “That Green Dress” by Comstock, and a clever medley of “Ev’ry Time I See That Face” and “That Face” sung by both.

Fasano brings out the comedian in Comstock, long considered a dapper, New York sophisticate, while his jazz sensibility and concentrated focus have clearly rubbed off on her gamine ingénue.  Nowhere was this symbiosis more evident than a medley of Wallowitch’s “Warsaw” coupled with Grand’s “April in Fairbanks” which became a geographical tour-de-force for Comstock, and an introspective reading by Fasano of Spence’s “Sleep Warm,” co-written with Alan & Marilyn Bergman.  Stunning in a white satin gown with a black-lace appliqué, Fasano was the picture of vintage glamour next to Comstock in his sleekly tailored pin-stripe suit.  Together, they make an intoxicating couple whose assured and polished performance was all the more commendable in light of the venue, which suffered from a variety of problems the evening I saw the show.  This included a tray of drinks crashing to the tiled floor on the penultimate note of a ballad.  Brava to Fasano for handling this unimaginable scenario with professionalism and class.

Watch for the return of Remembering John Wallowitch, Lew Spence & Murray Grand in November at the Metropolitan Room.  Miss it at your own peril and pray they record it soon.

David Hurst
Cabaret Scenes
August 12, 2008
www.cabaretscenes.org