Singer Julie Reyburn opened her recent gig at the Metropolitan Room with "You Gotta Serve Somebody." Not recalling it as a Bob Dylan composition, it seemed a really good blues tune. In the same vein, not knowing Reyburn was from New England, I would have thought she was from Louisiana, delivering an authentic look into her down home “culture.” She was compelling from the very start.

Reyburn was very restrained and let her singing do the 'splainin’ until after her third number — a straight-ahead "Straighten Up and Fly Right" (with nice guitar licks by her husband, Thor). "Cooking Breakfast With the One I Love," a duet with her husband, was complete with some whistling with the one she loves. When she did talk with the audience — of her life as a mother, wife and singer, and what that requires — she was natural and informative.

Reyburn's voice is very versatile – she is a true belter, with the admirable capability to pull back and sing quite softly, almost purringly. That might have been beneficial in her passionate version of Alec Wilder's "Blackberry Winter," an almost excruciatingly beautiful and touching meditative tune. Pulling out all the stops, Reyburn might have wrung more out of the song with a lower key or a more delicate approach. Kristy MacColl’s "In These Shoes," a tale of a flirtatious Latin señorita, was a highlight of the show, revealing Julie as a very funny lady who’s willing to let the audience in on it.

My husband, who knows more about Star Trek than cabaret, accompanied me and was immensely impressed with Reyburn’s song selections, her versatility and the variety of genres presented. When you can impress a "civilian" in that way, you know the performer has hit upon a commendable balance, both musically and lyrically.

Reyburn has impressive vocal capabilities, but lightening up just a bit on some of the big moments would be an improvement. She could then soar without ever pushing, as did some of the jazz greats, i.e. Ella Fitzgerald and Carmen McRae, making a memorable performance such as this one even more so, while preserving her voice for years to come.

Musical Director Mark Janos's arrangements were appropriate, although Reyburn's singing has enough dramatic tension and poise as to not need to be manipulated by an abundance of key modulations. Janos is preparing a new musical version of Pinocchio and previewed a lovely ballad from it. Ritt Henn, the bass player as well as a songwriter and a comedic presence around town, added much delight with a couple of original tunes and some playful shenanigans, without ever stealing the spotlight from the evening’s star.

Reyburn and her group concluded the show with a stirring rendition of "Carol of the Bells” and “Silver Bells," evoking a satisfied ovation from the packed room.

Melody Breyer-Grell
Cabaret Scenes
December 13, 2008
www.cabaretscenes.org