Cabaret Scenes Review

With a new cabaret license in pocket, SoHo upscale restaurant LOLA, has been trying out the new genre of musical offerings. Libra, a sultry jazz artist with both contemporary and nostalgia R & B in her repertoire, seems to have added a touch of class equal to the culinary reputation. Her show is a tribute to the many R & B recording artists whose songs we’ve sung and admire.

Libra doesn’t fly solo but with a well-experienced four piece jazz group consisting of Musical Director on keyboard and back-up vocals, James Jones, assisted by Clyde Bullard on bass, Greg Barrett on drums and Sly Scott on sax/flute. Scott’s riffs on many of the tunes accentuated in all the right places.

Although the audience was small and busily eating and drinking, Libra’s warmth and vocal prowess was engaging enough to grab their attention. Poor lighting didn’t help her cause but as a professional, it was straight ahead opening with “Rescue Me.” She’s a comfortable and easy performer with a deep nasal sound that is smooth and appealing. Exploring the familiar theme of love, she does justice to the bluesy “Hot Sauce” and puts the shimmy and shake into Quincy Jones’ “Miss Celie’s Blues (Sister)” from The Color Purple. A Burt Bacharach-Hal David medley of Dionne Warwick tunes, with nice back-up harmonies, is reminiscent of the 1960s/1970s but tends to become somewhat tedious.

Motown Medley, a tribute to icons Ashford & Simpson with “Tramp” and “You’re All I Need to Get By,” together with duet on “It’s Gonna Take A Miracle,” were highlights. This seems to be a comfort zone for Libra, along with her rendition of the Bill Withers hit “Lovely Day.” This song was written by bassist Clyde Bullard’s uncle and will be included in a documentary on Wither’s life Still Bill, opening this January at the Sundance Film Festival.

With a tribute to Peggy Lee and “Fever,” a non-rehearsed audience chorus helped Libra conclude her show! Libra and her band are scheduled for additional appearances at Lola. Call for exact dates and times.

Sandi Durell
Cabaret Scenes
November 1, 2008
www.cabaretscenes.org



	Libra Lola New York, NY
With a new cabaret license in pocket, SoHo upscale restaurant LOLA, has been trying out the new genre of musical offerings. Libra, a sultry jazz artist with both contemporary and nostalgia R & B in her repertoire, seems to have added a touch of class equal to the culinary reputation. Her show is a tribute to the many R & B recording artists whose songs we’ve sung and admire. Libra doesn’t fly solo but with a well-experienced four piece jazz group consisting of Musical Director on keyboard and back-up vocals, James Jones, assisted by Clyde Bullard on bass, Greg Barrett on drums and Sly Scott on sax/flute. Scott’s riffs on many of the tunes accentuated in all the right places. Although the audience was small and busily eating and drinking, Libra’s warmth and vocal prowess was engaging enough to grab their attention. Poor lighting didn’t help her cause but as a professional, it was straight ahead opening with “Rescue Me.” She’s a comfortable and easy performer with a deep nasal sound that is smooth and appealing. Exploring the familiar theme of love, she does justice to the bluesy “Hot Sauce” and puts the shimmy and shake into Quincy Jones’ “Miss Celie’s Blues (Sister)” from The Color Purple. A Burt Bacharach-Hal David medley of Dionne Warwick tunes, with nice back-up harmonies, is reminiscent of the 1960s/1970s but tends to become somewhat tedious. Motown Medley, a tribute to icons Ashford & Simpson with “Tramp” and “You’re All I Need to Get By,” together with duet on “It’s Gonna Take A Miracle,” were highlights. This seems to be a comfort zone for Libra, along with her rendition of the Bill Withers hit “Lovely Day.” This song was written by bassist Clyde Bullard’s uncle and will be included in a documentary on Wither’s life Still Bill, opening this January at the Sundance Film Festival. With a tribute to Peggy Lee and “Fever,” a non-rehearsed audience chorus helped Libra conclude her show! Libra and her band are scheduled for additional appearances at Lola. Call for exact dates and times. Sandi Durell Cabaret Scenes November 1, 2008 www.cabaretscenes.org

Libra

LolaNew York, NY

Lola
New York, NY