Buddy Greco and his trio converted the Rrazz Room into a '50s Vegas swing club, charming his fans with his smooth, hip nightclub act, meticulous instrumentals and quick wit.  He sings in a recitative manner in a similar vein to pal Sinatra’s style. Greco delivers his lyrics quickly and keeps the tempo upbeat, ably accompanied by son Buddy Greco, Jr. on drums. The arrangements of "I've Got You Under My Skin" and "She Loves Me" snap and the ballads, like the latin-flavored "I Need You," "Girl Talk" and "Me and Mrs. Jones" present a performer comfortable in his skin and confident of his material.

The '50s Vegas nightclub feel was enhanced the inclusion of Greco’s wife, singer Lezlie Anders, who shimmied and vamped her way through excellent covers of "Feelin' Good" and Cole Porter’s "Begin the Beguine." Anders' set highlighted Greco’s significant instrumental skills as a swing/jazz pianist and impeccable arranging style. The couple worked their magic together on Peggy Lee’s hit, "Fever" before Greco ended the evening with his biggest commercial hit ‘"The Lady Is a Tramp" and a lovely instrumental version of "MacArthur Park." At 83, Greco is a delightful champion of the great era of song stylist musicians who paved the way for today’s cabaret stars.

Steve Murray
Cabaret Scenes
August 18, 2009
www.cabaretscenes.org