Can't say I was shocked to find Katey Sagal such a talented singer given she's backed up the likes of Bette Midler, Bob Dylan, Tanya Tucker, Gene Simmons, Olivia Newton-John and Etta James. Sagal has taken bits and pieces of each of these influences and molded them into a cohesive, emotionally powerful performance that rocked out the normally staid Plush Room while proving Sagal could be a major player in the music industry. Its where her
creative passions flourish and judging by the adoring response to her show, Sagal could have another hit on her hands.

I was pleasantly surprised at the depth and quality of her songwriting skills. I knew she wouldn't be singing the Great American Songbook, but to open her show with four consecutive self-penned tunes was both bold and smart. It focused the audience smack on Katey, her husky sensuous, but sweet vocals, the excellent backup musicians, and the lyric itself. The lady can write a tune. The opening original "Life Goes Round" set the tone for the set, a beautiful lyric about exploring the possibilities of life. The song moves and grooves, and instantly we're transported into Katey's world where family, spirit and love combine in sometimes sweet, sometimes raucous melody.

Her first covers of the evening were of Bob Dylan songs, the second a hauntingly emotional delivery of "You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go." Stevie Wonder's "Heaven Is Ten Zillion Light Years Away" was a charm followed by two more originals, "Daddy's Girl," a warm remembrance of her mother and father, and "Wish I Was A Kid." Sagal either wrote the music with some fine songwriting partners or wrote the lyrics. She is quiet capable at either. She closed the set with one of my favorites of her originals "That's How Love Goes"—a simple philosophy for lovers: 'sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, that's how love goes." Ain't it the truth.

Katey Sagal is a winner: accomplished singer/songwriter, performer, actress, wife, mother. This show rocked and I was sure glad to have been there.

Steve Murray
Cabaret Scenes
September 4, 2007
www.cabaretscenes.org