Jazz pianist Patti Wicks and bass player Linc Milliman have an obvious reverence for their material and its writers, plus a catalog of seasonal titles to make good on the show's title, Songs of Love and April.  Crediting each songwriter, and pointing out that Spring had indeed begun, Wicks worked her way through "Up Jumped Spring," "Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most," "It Might as Well Be Spring," "You Must Believe in Spring," and similar songs, from romantic to the blues. Wicks has a deep-pitched voice that, in a reversal of the usual roles, she uses to accompany the music.  Her delivery is a pleasing staccato talking-on-pitch as much as singing.  There was little patter.  The arrangements stayed respectfully close to the melodies as written, with but occasional forays into improvisation as she and bassist Milliman created an hour-plus of relaxed jazz and easy listening.

There were moments when the pair left the even tempo of most of the numbers behind, among them a lively "By Myself" and a fast-paced "I Should Care" that featured Milliman's impressive fingering.  "Body and Soul" once again featured Milliman, plus a refreshing interlude of some playful keyboarding by Wicks.  Songs of Love and April was a satisfying way to wind down at the end a busy week, listening to two accomplished musicians sharing their prowess with their instruments.

Peter Leavy
Cabaret Scenes
April 10, 2009
www.cabaretscenes.org