Introduced as the “Queen of Music,” Tony, Drama Desk, People’s Choice, Outer Critics, Obie & Emmy Award Winner Lillias White made her entrance as the swingin’ woman in white to a jam-packed house at the Highline Ballroom. Produced by Jill Newman Productions, the sassy, brassy, classy singer opened with a socio-political commentary, “Compared to What?” a song written by musical director/pianist Timothy Graphenreed.

She unashamedly told her audience “you are mine!” as she introduced the rest of her incredible musicians Wally “Gator” Watson, drums; Stanley Banks, bass and back-up singers Rashidra Scott and Bessye Scott.

Lillias is a compilation of the greats – Billie, Dinah, Ella, Sarah, Carmen, Aretha and more. Her songs have personal genuineness like “Before We Lose The Light,” a story that says love now before it all ends - “get it right before we lose the light.”  She captures every dynamic emotion using her intelligent and ethereal subtle high and low tones to extreme advantage. Her eclectic choice of songs enhances her endless resilience, excitement and interpretive know-how. “Mustang Sally” was hot, “At Seventeen,” a forceful soul-pop reinterpretation in its arrangement, telling the story of the awkwardness and fragility of a young teenage girl.  Lillias possesses that quality of artistic veracity that is the cornerstone of reality.  “Human Touch” is a gospel hallelujah as she reaches out to each person, giving us her body, soul and voice. From the reggae “Love Is Like An Itchin',” where we all were backups to Ms. White’s undulating dancin’ and a shakin’, to the bluesy-jazzy ballad “Easy Living,” as she showed off all her vocal prowess, Lillias White is truth and it is organic! Another remarkable rendition was a poem set to music by Timothy Graphenreed called “Ego Trippin."

Born in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, and having just celebrated her 57^th Birthday, she is also a proud grandma; “a happy woman blessed to be alive. . . at any age,” says she! Lillias loves, just loves to perform and that’s why we, her audience, are so happy to give her a standing ovation. “Remember Me” – “remember me when you drink the wine. . . remember me as a good thing.” How can we not, Lillias!

Sandi Durell
Cabaret Scenes
August 9, 2008
www.cabaretscenes.org