Scot Albertson has been doing a monthly engagement at the Laurie Beechman for more than a year, usually with a band that includes a solid brass section: trumpets, trombones, reeds, bass and percussion, as well as his MAC award winning musical director, Daryl Kojak, at the piano. He just recorded his fourth album which will be released at his December engagement. For his October performance, the substitution of a string section for the brass was a unique experience in New York cabaret. Albertson's repertoire was enhanced excitedly by the background orchestrations and solo riffs by the musicians: Antone Silverman and Cenovia Cummins on violins, Chris Cardona on viola, and for this performance he had Tom Hubbard on bass and Rex Benincasa on percussion.

Albertson opened with a lively "As Long As I'm Singing" (lyrics and music by Bobby Darin) and every following selection was highlighted by the strings. On his familiar ballads: "His Eyes, Her Eyes" (Bergmans-Legrand), "When I Look in Your Eyes (Bricusse), "Sail Away"/ "No Other Love" (Coward/Rodgers & Hammerstein), "Orchids in the Moonlight" (Youmans/Eliscu & Kahn) and, especially, "I'll Be Seeing You" (Sammy Fain-Irving Kahal), the melodies soared with the two violins and one viola and showcased Albertson's wonderfully romantic baritone.

In the middle of the show, Kojak stepped down and Jerry Scott accompanied Albertson on "Music in the Night" (Andrew Lloyd Webber & Don Black). Scott's pianistics played the familiar melody as if it were a Tchaikovsky concerto.

On two novelty numbers, "Pass The Biscuits, Mirandy" and "Put Your Shoes on Lucy," the string section suddenly became country western fiddlers, and Albertson bounced around the stage having a ball.

And on the rare number that was on his third CD, "You Gotta Taste All The Fruit" (Bergmans-Sammy Fain), dropped from the musical Something More and sung by Mae West (of all people) in Myra Breckenridge, the pure pleasure of Albertson's rapid fire delivery of the song was joyously punctuated by his string section!

This was Scot Albertson's most relaxed performance. Musically, he modulated his great vocal instrument and this turned out to be one of the best demonstrations of what a thrilling vocal range he has. Sometimes he sounds like Vaughn Monroe ("Racing in the Moon" is one of his staples) or the great romantic crooners like Russ Columbo. Most of the time, he sounds only like himself, a contemporary singer who can sing anything.

Joe Regan, Jr.
Cabaret Scenes
October 23, 2008
www.cabaretscenes.org